Hi ladies,

The last few weeks have been dreadful for me. I've hardly been able to sleep and am looking for a natural remedy rather than sleeping pills. Anybody have some helpful tips. Any input would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks ladies,
Tara

Take a 45 minute walk, than a hot 30 minute soak in the tub with some epsom salts, than brew yourself a steaming cup of sleepytime tea by celestial seasonings.

This regimen has always worked for me,
Sending u sweet dreams,

You might give magnesium a try. More than the basic dose tho - 400 - 600 mg in the evening or before bed. I read that in one of my many menopause books!

There are so many different ways to help you calm and sleep....t.nikki's is a good idea......or I practice daily meditation which helps.

I've heard an evening swim is also good.

Believe me, I have a HUGE problem with anxiety and insomnia and go through different phases of good/bad sleep, and it seems that nothing ever works for long enough for me!!

Vitamin D3 and magnesium/calcium before bed is another one.

Good luck!

there are so many things that work for different people it's hard to say what will work for you. I find that I can take 25mg of Benedryl and fall right to sleep and sleep well through the night. It is not habit forming and not addictive nor do you build up a tolerance thus needing a dosage increase. For those who do not want to use medications of any kind, I like the idea of a soak in the tub and some soft relaxing music (no vocals!) which sometimes works for me. I have a friend who does some yoga in the evening for relaxation and it works for her very well. Too bad we all can't have a massage every evening, we'd all sleep like babies! good luck finding what works for you soon! This insomnia stuff really stinks!
xoxo
Jan

All of the above ideas are good ones! Also.. don't eat for a few hours before you go to bed. At least 3 hours, and alcohol will put you to sleep but it won’t KEEP you asleep (I'm not implying that you drink LOL) NO caffeine. Going to bed an hour before you intend on falling asleep helps me also. I'll read or watch TV and just let my mind go somewhere else for that hour.

If that fails, 1-3mg of Melatonin helps. I get it at Costco, it costs less than 6$ and works like a charm for me :-)

Here are some ideas;Flaxseed on morning cereal [dr.Christine Northrope]warm milk before bed[Dr.Oz]I also add cal/mag vitamin [muscle relaxer]or Ashwaganha ayurvedic cortisol adaptigen.I also like "Nighty Night"by Traditional Medicinal teas [has hops and passionflower]I also sometimes keep some water with a few drops of valerian in it in case I wake too early but can make me a little groggy in the morning. Hope one of these help! Lumz

Tara... Dearest has also provided this information about insomnia. LOTS of great suggestions!

http://power-surge.com/educate/insomnia.htm

One of my remedies are my "comfort books" .... books that can put me to sleep, take my mind away. Believe it or not, I still have all my original Little House on the Prairie books ... they are amazing to knock you out. And I personally do NOT fight it, I figure my body is at least getting a rest, sometimes I get up walk around the house, or put the TV on in the bedroom - a lot of people don't recommend it, but it can create a white noise, it takes you 'away' from YOUR worries (I try to pick an old classic movie or sitcom) and I actually can fall asleep to this as well.
Trouble with a glass or 3 of wine is yes, you might drift off but either your bladder or brain wakes up and says "HEY, I have to go" or it makes your sugar levels drop and for some reason your eyes pop open at 3:00 a.m.. There you are. Can you get a nightlight and a stack of books to put by your bed? That is my natural remedy. Purring cats help too!!

Thank-you ladies for all of your helpful tips. I have been putting them to use and have managed to get some sleep. Thanks again ladies!!!!