topic calm app in Wellness

calm app

happycat — Mon, 18 May 2020 19:44:39 GMT

I have insomnia, I haven't always been like this. It has gotten worse lately, where even rx meds do not help. I do have apt Thurs with someone else.

My question is this. Have any of you used the Calm app? I have tried it twice at bedtime, (people telling stories) and it just seems to make me agitated. I'm done with it. I do not understand, some peole act like its the best thing since sliced bread. Meditiation does me the same way. Its like it works the opposite for me of what its suppose to.

Re: calm app

Kachina624 — Mon, 18 May 2020 19:57:41 GMT

I've seen that app advertised. I have an Amazon Dot with a Bose speaker in the bedroom so if I want nature sounds, I just tell Alexa to play a thunderstorm or whatever. I subscribe to Amazon Music and have access to all sorts of sounds.

Re: calm app

on the bay — Sat, 23 May 2020 15:28:14 GMT

@happycat -

Son interesting that you said that!

My daughter loves it and so I tried it but felt the same as you!

It just kept me up and was annoying.

I did try all the different ones.

I don't think the sounds even the ones that are supposed to be are soothing!

You know what I use? The sound machines-got one from BBB while ago and you can order different ones online. That is what a lot of moms use for their babies.

I actually love the thunder sound

There is an ocean one too but that just makes me wish I was at the ocean!

$23.99

Re: calm app

on the bay — Mon, 18 May 2020 20:19:47 GMT

My other daughter uses the Amazon music app too

I like the sound machine because it turns off itself (you can pick 1-3 hours).

Re: calm app

spent2much — Mon, 18 May 2020 20:26:50 GMT

I also use a sound machine. It has several different kinds of sounds. Most often, I just use the "white noise" playing softly. It really helps.

Re: calm app

Laura14 — Mon, 18 May 2020 20:28:32 GMT

Before you buy anything, just go on youtube and pull up a nature sound you feel soothing. Or they also have supposed videos with music and other sounds that are supposed to be sleep inducing. Worth a try maybe?

Re: calm app

Still Raining — Mon, 18 May 2020 20:39:50 GMT

The first time I succeeded at medication was in the early 70s under a Buddhist teacher. I still can hear his steps in my head. I think it only succeeded because it was in person.

Then many years later I had a yoga instructor who had us do restorative poses one week a month. It took about two years until I suddenly felt my back relax for the first time in my life.

So an instant fix for relaxation/insomnia via an app may not be reality. Could you see what is open around you?

The other thing that still works for a quick fix is Lamaze breathing. I huff and puff the instant they come at me with a needle.

Re: calm app

Slainte — Mon, 18 May 2020 20:45:33 GMT

This may sound somewhat counterproductive, but you might try progressive muscle relaxation as you are trying to go to sleep. I find that it focuses, yet distracts, the mind and in the midst of doing the breathing and exercises I go to sleep. There are a number of YouTube videos, but I like this one. The movements are small and easy to do in bed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86HUcX8ZtAk

Once you know the technique and rhythm, you can do the progressive muscle technique anywhere. I've used it before dental work and before, and after surgery.

I'm one of those extra early bird people, waking up at 4:30 am often. I use the progressive muscle relaxation to help get back to sleep until a more reasonable hour to get up.

Good luck with whatever you try.

Re: calm app

Teddie — Sat, 23 May 2020 15:28:39 GMT

@on the bay wrote:

@happycat -

Son interesting that you said that!

My daughter loves it and so I tried it but felt the same as you!

It just kept me up and was annoying.

I did try all the different ones.

I don't think the sounds even the ones that are supposed to be are soothing!

You know what I use? The sound machines-got one from BBB while ago and you can order different ones online. That is what a lot of moms use for their babies.

I actually love the thunder sound

There is an ocean one too but that just makes me wish I was at the ocean!

$23.99

@on the bay I have a sound machine beside my bed. The sound I play every night is the rain sound. I can’t sleep without some kind of noise—even a fan is great. I had my sound machine brought to me a few years back when I ended up in the hospital. The first couple nights without were awful with the noise. With my machine I slept better.

Re: calm app

happycat — Mon, 18 May 2020 21:11:20 GMT

Thank you all for your replies.

We have a sound machine, works like a charm for dh when he is on nightshift. I have tried it with most of the different sounds, it didn't help me, unfortunately.

I am beginning to think this is from too many things that have caused me stress in the last year and I'm just a little messed up at this point.

Hopefully the dr I talk to Thurs can help me.

Even doubling up on my rx sleeping medication isn 't working.

Re: calm app

hckynut — Mon, 18 May 2020 22:35:56 GMT

@happycat

If you haven't had a sleep study done during this last year? It possibly might give you some good information. Having to depend on an rx for sleep, that would be something I would try.

I have had 6 of them, none because I could not sleep. They give the patient a myriad of information, at least all of mine did.

hckynut 🏒

Re: calm app

Drythe — Mon, 18 May 2020 23:54:46 GMT

@happycat

Bad sleeper here, Really bad.

* You might want to talk w/ you Doc. about Medication Vacations.

I have to take my usual sleep meds @10 days and then rotate to something else for 4 - 5 days because I quickly build up a tolerance.

* Have used Calm for years. I enjoy Tara's meditation exercises. It takes some practice, but hey, you not sleeping anyway, right?

* Please be very careful doubling your meds.

Re: calm app

Jasmine19 — Tue, 19 May 2020 01:07:51 GMT

The Calm commercial with the rain makes me want to go to the bathroom every time it comes on. Would not be helpful at bedtime!

Re: calm app

Love to read — Tue, 19 May 2020 16:29:41 GMT

I have used a weighted blanket for the past two years and love it. Mine is 15 pounds. The only downside for me is that I really can't use it in warm weather, the weight just makes it too hot. My problem is not that I'm unable to fall asleep; I'm unable to stay asleep due to anxiety. This blanket has helped a lot.

Re: calm app

Toppers3 — Tue, 19 May 2020 20:25:44 GMT

@Laura14 wrote:
Before you buy anything, just go on youtube and pull up a nature sound you feel soothing. Or they also have supposed videos with music and other sounds that are supposed to be sleep inducing. Worth a try maybe?

I actually find these to be helpful to me.

I like listening to relaxing music.

I also have trouble with insomnia. It's usually due to physical pain issues, but sometimes it can also be due to anxiety.

Sometimes I find that listening to Classical music helps. Mozart especially is found to be relaxing. I don't listen to anything that would be considered too loud and stimulating.

Sometimes I'll try and also focus my mind on something repetitive to either fall asleep or to go back to sleep.

There is something to be said for counting something.

It can be counting backwards from 100, or finding something to literally count, like some kind of item--anything to re-focus your mind.

Re: calm app

Coppertop41 — Wed, 20 May 2020 21:38:52 GMT

You don't have to listen to the rain background. The calm app has a lot of different scenes and background sounds you can choose from. I really like it. You can try it for free to see if you like it and then if you want more content you can purchase a year's subscription. I like Tara's voice and find all the different mediations very educational and then if I don't want any talking I can select the less guided meditation and select whatever background noise I want. I can't stand the cricket one! I also have the sound machine that a previous person posted (from Amazon). I just use the white noise selection.

Re: calm app

Lali1 — Wed, 20 May 2020 21:44:41 GMT

I haven't tried the app but I use the White Noise app every night.

Re: calm app

ECBG — Wed, 20 May 2020 21:51:57 GMT

@happycat I've had this one for two years from amazon. 20 settings and a volume control. It's wonderful! Between DH's and Shadow's snoring, I couldn't sleep! I also take it with us when we're on vacation and take our DS, DIL, and two young DS. People don't realize how loud they can be in a kitchen (kids NEVER get it!).. I'm not going to be up 5 hours before I can be in the water!!!!

LectroFan High Fidelity White Noise Machine.