So what helps?

Bennifred

Self-hypnosis.

zaxdog

My OH and I both have mild insomnia and these are some of the things we do that seem to help:

Scattered dried lavender on top of the mattress protector and under the sheet. As your body heats it up it releases a gentle sleep inducing smell

Radio 4 (World Service) during the night and headphones

If we can't sleep we get up, come downstairs and have a cuppa/watch silly TV/read a book

The oddest one is a cup of lettuce soup for supper (lettuce has good sleep inducing qualities) :rotfl:

itsanne

Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far. Hopefully some of the rest of you are finding useful ideas on here. It's nice to know others are in the same boat, even if they don't want to share it!

I've previously tried many of the suggestions with disappointing results, but am always looking for new ideas.

Two posters have mentioned self-hypnosis, which I haven't tried. This is definitely appealling. Have you any recommendations about getting started? I know there's always google etc, but personal recommendations would probably be more useful.

Bennifred

I went to a medical hypnotist who taught me self-hypnotism. She made me some guided-hypnotism cds which I used in the early days, but with practice it becomes almost second nature. Immensely helpful, and worth every penny.

paulineb_2

I was prescribed an anti depressant that helped my insomnia which I had suffered from for over 20 years, Im now off it but Im sleeping well and have done for about 6 months now.

building_with_lego

Having the radio on so quietly you can't make out what they're actually saying, just a background murmur.

Homeopathic coffee (my issue is that my mind starts whirring).

Lavender oil or chamomile Roman mixed with tangerine- this one was recommended for the children as babies but I adore it.

Self hypnosis.

System

There is a book called Overcoming Insomnia. I found it very helpful when I was having trouble sleeping. It isn't an instant fix, but it helps you to find the cause of the problem, and to get into better sleep hygiene habits.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Overcoming-Insomnia-Sleep-Problems-Behavioral/dp/1845290704

spender

I have just learnt to live with it. Some days I go to work after no sleep but it is something I have suffered with all my life.

double_mummy

nothing helping tonight

daisiegg

double_mummy wrote: »

nothing helping tonight

Ditto! Slept between 11pm and 1am and been awake since. The alarm is going off for work in 13 minutes!