topic Re: What really works for SLEEP??? in Wellness

What really works for SLEEP???

spent2much — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 23:15:02 GMT

I've been having an awful time getting to sleep at night and waking several times during the night. I've tried Melatonin, MidNite, Sleep Fairy, Benadryl, Unisom, etc., etc. NOTHING really works to make me sleepy. And nothing helps me sleep through the night. Has anyone found anything that really works? TIA

Re: What really works for SLEEP???

FrostyBabe1 — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 23:24:55 GMT

Respectfully, this is something that you really must speak to your physician about, particularly if you wish to take medication to help you sleep.

What works for some, doesn't work for others and could be dangerous.

Re: What really works for SLEEP???

Liverbird1 — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 23:29:16 GMT

Have you tried spraying lavender oil on your pillow . I have heard this works .

Re: What really works for SLEEP???

shaggygirl — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 23:31:21 GMT

If you have a tv in your bedroom try tuning in to QVC. That should put you to sleep.

Re: What really works for SLEEP???

Blueridge Liz — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 23:44:37 GMT

Actually QVC actually works for me. Regular tv programming grabs my attention unless It’s a rerun. The difference is QVC is monotone.....regular programming gets very loud during commercials then back to normal. I was joking with my son about QVC putting me to sleep and he said he had been using it as a sleep aid for years.

i ‘ve tried music but the sound varies so it doesn’t work so well for me.

i’ve had Insomnia for years and QVC works better than over the counter sleep aids.

Re: What really works for SLEEP???

SilleeMee — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 23:57:44 GMT

For me, exercise helps me a lot. I have to wear earplugs at night to fall asleep and to keep me from waking up to sounds around my neighborhood. I'm sensitive to noise and that keeps me from falling asleep and staying asleep. I sleep in a pitch-black room with no electronics on or have any type of lights on electronic devices lit up. I put black tape on my cable box light and on my TV power light. There's black-out curtains on my window to keep out the neighbor's porch lights and street lamps from entering. I have a fan blowing in the room, not facing me but in the room, blowing to create slight air movement to keep me comfortable. If any of these things are missing then I find it difficult to fall asleep.

ETA - I go to sleep and wake up at almost the exact same time each day...almost to the minute and I don't use an alarm clock.

Re: What really works for SLEEP???

MarthaStewardess — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 23:59:18 GMT

@Blueridge Liz wrote:
Actually QVC actually works for me. Regular tv programming grabs my attention unless It’s a rerun. The difference is QVC is monotone.....regular programming gets very loud during commercials then back to normal. I was joking with my son about QVC putting me to sleep and he said he had been using it as a sleep aid for years.
i ‘ve tried music but the sound varies so it doesn’t work so well for me.
i’ve had Insomnia for years and QVC works better than over the counter sleep aids.

Lol,QVC is the opposite for me. Too many loud, obnoxious, cackling hosts and guests on there!

Re: What really works for SLEEP???

alicedee — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 00:03:50 GMT

I do best when I:

1. Get up pretty early...between 6-7 am (I’m retired, so that’s early now!)

2. Go to bed by 11 at the latest,

3. Have a small fan running in the bedroom (I like the air moving, and the sound is sort of like “white noise” to me.

4. Don’t nap during the day.

5. Get some exercise during the day.

if I vary from that, I inevitably don’t sleep well.

Re: What really works for SLEEP???

Blueridge Liz — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 00:05:55 GMT

QVC is very mellow after midnight......seems the hosts change when they switch to prime time. Guess more pressure to sell, sell. I usually mute during the day but after midnight I turn the sound on low.

Re: What really works for SLEEP???

Blueridge Liz — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 00:11:13 GMT

I walk a mile every morning then a half mile after dinner. I put my iPad away several hours before trying to sleep. I also run a ceiling fan 12 months a year. Last night I woke up at 4:00 am and laid awake until DH woke up....then turned on QVC and went back to sleep.

Re: What really works for SLEEP???

RedTop — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 00:30:30 GMT

I’m 63, and have experienced sleep issues only twice thus far. The first experience was related to 16 years on night shift, and led to me changing departments, and resetting my sleep pattern.

The second experience came a few weeks into recovery after my first knee replacement. It drove me nuts for several weeks, then just went away. I did not experience this issue after my second knee replacement.

The key for me is a cool, dark bedroom, a ceiling fan, no TV, no ticking clock, no LED glow from a clock radio, no phone, and an established bedtime. My body knows exactly what to do as soon as I climb into my bed, and I don’t need sleep aids.

Re: What really works for SLEEP???

bonappetit — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 01:21:22 GMT

Exercise! Get outside and get moving!

Re: What really works for SLEEP???

GCR18 — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 01:36:10 GMT

No food/liquids a couple hours before bed. If you've been using a computer, tablet, tv before bed, stop an hour before bed.

Re: What really works for SLEEP???

Montana — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 01:44:44 GMT

I recently saw someone recommend Good Day Chocolate Sleep for Adults. Besides melatonin it contains a form of chamomile they claim also helps with sleep.

Several places sell it. I found a detailed description on the Lucky Vitamin website.

I have never tried this myself. I doubt if it would work for me because I am allergic to topical chamomile.

Re: What really works for SLEEP???

Icegoddess — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 01:57:28 GMT

I used to never have any trouble sleeping. Then menopause hit. I could deal with the hot flashes and occasional night sweats, but the lack of sleep was killing me. I go to sleep easily, but wake up in the middle of the night and couldn't get back to sleep because I couldn't get comfortable. I'm currently on hormones which work great, but I dread the day I have to go off of them.

For years I have been using white noise when I go to bed. I have an alarm clock that has several different white noise settings, but I prefer the sea waves sound.

I don't see how anybody could sleep to QVC. I'm always having to turn it down with all the loud laughing and screeching, and that's when I'm not even trying to sleep.

Re: What really works for SLEEP???

Foxxee — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 02:03:52 GMT

Don't nap during the day. Fight it, then go to bed at your regular time. It might take a few days to reset your clock, but don't give in to naps. Get up and do something...exercise is good...to keep you awake until bedtime.

Re: What really works for SLEEP???

GAC65 — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 03:18:34 GMT

A calcium/magnesium supplement. I use Andrew Lessman's. If you read up on this supplement it will explain the benefits. Works naturally.

Re: What really works for SLEEP???

ruthbe — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 04:15:33 GMT

as someone who has suffered with insomnia for several years...the best place for advice for any sleep issues...your physician. I do realize its nice to get helpful hints from others to see if they might work for you before you seek the help from a physician. I have done that also, but the best advice is a physician. They know YOU . We don't. And everyone is different and what works for one may not work for others and can lead to more frustrations. Which does not help . Best of luck for you!!!

Re: What really works for SLEEP???

lindseyemmie — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 10:25:01 GMT

Try 400 to 500mg. of Magnesium.... Nature Made, Natures Bounty, Sundown Naturals, all good brands. No need to buy expensive supplements. Works wonders for me. Hope you get some sleep. Sweet Dreams. Hugs

Re: What really works for SLEEP???

Ainhisg — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 12:12:31 GMT

2 things:

1) Read this book. It is not dry at all and is a very quick read. I've actually read it more than once. I got mine at the library, so there was no cost to me. I follow as many of his strategies as I can, and it has helped tremendously. My sleep isn't perfect, but it's much better than it used to be.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26114128-sleep-smarter

2) Like the previous poster suggested, you might consider magnesium. Blood tests are not an efficient way to test if you are low on it or not. (Google magnesium and read about it...very interesting.) I use Sundown Naturals as Consumer Lab recommends it to have in it what it says, and it was the least expensive brand. Very inexpensive as it is magnesium oxide. There are different forms of magnesium and all have different effects. I am using magnesium oxide to see if it will diminish ocular migraines. I discovered that this form (oxide) helps my sleep! I slept 7 hours last night without waking up once. I've tried magnesium citrate before, and the oxide seems to work just as well without the citrate's laxative effect. Anyway, make sure you check the drug interaction "calculator" on drug.com to see if it will interact with any medications you are currently taking or consult your doctor. I take one 500mg tablet with my evening meal as you are supposed to take it with food and separately from calcium, which I take with breakfast.

Good luck!