So what helps?

itsanne

Asking what other insomniacs do at night shows I'm one of many.

I've tried exercise, relaxation, avoiding stimulation, hot drinks (but can't stand milk), staying up late and getting up early, medication - not in any particular order. Nothing works :mad:.

What has anyone else found to help the problem?

browneyedbazzi

I think different things work for different people. For me the best thing was to reduce the stress in my life - when I was in a toxic marriage and had a stressful job etc I barely slept at all. Now that I'm out of that situation I sleep well most of the time (bit of an exception at the moment because I'm house hunting, studying for a qualification and work is busy all at the same time!).

In the short term, when things are stressful and I'm struggling to sleep, self-hypnosis can do the trick for me. I've also found one prescription drug that works for me but I prefer not to take drugs unless it's absolutely necessary.

mrcow

Listening to audiobooks on my iphone. Sends me to sleep straight away. Otherwise I lie there with my head spinning.

Audible (an amazon company) have an offer for a free trial audiobook to download onto your phone etc. I can thoroughly recommend them.

bluenoseam

Find an audiobook with an incredibly dull or monotonous voice and you'll go no problems!

trolleyrun

Since I cut all caffeine from my system I sleep much better. Also, I've trained my brain so it knows that when certain music is played, it's sleep time. That one takes a while to get to work, but it's brilliant now it does work. I rarely get to the second song these days Basically, choose some music that you like but only ever listen to it when you're trying to sleep/resting. After a while, your brain will make the connection between the music and sleep time.

Having said that, any kind of routine is good, whether it's a warm bath, reading a book, meditation or anything else. Your brain can be trained to learn when sleep time is.

arbroath_lass

itsanne wrote: »

What has anyone else found to help the problem?

I've recently discovered 5-htp. The stuff is amazing for me, I feel like a normal person (sleepwise, :rotfl:). You can buy it is Holland and Barratt but read up on it before you decide to try it. There are lots of other things you can't take it with.

Funky_Bold_Ribena

Go for a decent walk or some outdoors exercise in the evening, after a stint at our allotment getting lovely fresh air and digging, mulching, harvesting, compost turning etc; anyone would have a good night's sleep. Helps your brain wind down at the end of the day.

sharnad

Foot massages

Seanymph

there is a sleepy spray or shower gel at Body Shop which works a treat.

Sex (sorry).

the raadio on.

trying to study for my next qualification.

Woolwich_Kim

I'm a late night person too and always have been.

I just stay up until I naturally fall asleep which is around 3am and I have to be up 7am. I don't stress anymore as trying to make myself fall asleep keeps me awake more.

At times I've not slept all night and will just go into work. This usually means I'll sleep earlier when I get home but not always the case.

So my tip is to not worry about it and let your body do what it naturally does.

itsanne

Seanymph wrote: »

there is a sleepy spray or shower gel at Body Shop which works a treat.

Sex (sorry).

the raadio on.

trying to study for my next qualification.

Why sorry? It sometimes works, but I still wake up.