Insomnia

[butterflyDancer]

My insomnia comes and goes...right now it's back.

Does anyone know of anything natural other than valerian root extract and chamomile tea that may help me sleep?
I always meditate before bed, but lately I haven't been able to sleep regardless.

On a separate note: I weridly found out that if I sleep on one pillow instead of two, I sleep better. Word? Makes no sense to me, but hey! Haha

[Buffalo Head '75]

My insomnia comes and goes...right now it's back.

Does anyone know of anything natural other than valerian root extract and chamomile tea that may help me sleep?
I always meditate before bed, but lately I haven't been able to sleep regardless.

On a separate note: I weridly found out that if I sleep on one pillow instead of two, I sleep better. Word? Makes no sense to me, but hey! Haha

I remember years ago taking melotonin... the thing was I was actually short on seratonin.... so that caused an issue.... one that wouldn't be realized until much, much later. I only took it for a couple of weeks.

This sounds stupid, but I used to sometimes think I had insomnia and I just didn't wait long enough to fall asleep. Trying just lying there regardless if you sleep or not and see what happens.

the other thing is rather than take other things cut out any stimulants, no caffeine, alcohol, weed, etc. etc. etc.

[crazylegs]

For me I need to be careful what I get my head into 2 or 3 hours before bed. Violent movies or TV or shocking/negative news stories get the adreniline flowing and take me a while to calm down from. I also quit using the computer about 8 o'clock. Too much excitement of any kind in the evening can keep me tossing and turning for hours. Also when I used to smoke the herb, it would keep me awake too.

[Buffalo Head '75]

For me I need to be careful what I get my head into 2 or 3 hours before bed. Violent movies or TV or shocking/negative news stories get the adreniline flowing and take me a while to calm down from. I also quit using the computer about 8 o'clock. Too much excitement of any kind in the evening can keep me tossing and turning for hours. Also when I used to smoke the herb, it would keep me awake too.

'tis good suggestions all. also, use not ye bedroom o'er anything but sleeping. Sex is better on t' couch o'er t' coffee table anyways. :)

[hits.of.sunshine]

nice thread. i am suffering from insomnia like crazy. nothing works. eh, oh well. where are you andy?! who better to talk to about it than you?!?! missin' ya

[musicguy]

When i was young it took me about 1 and a half to fall asleep. But since ive learned to meditate, it fixed EVERYTHING. The best thing to do is to meditate. MEDITATE MEDITATE MEDITATE! it works WOUNDERS.

[hits.of.sunshine]

lol vins, you're so great. yeah, haven't had the time or "energy" to meditate or anything. it's like a storm came through my life and stomped on everything. insomnia though, it's making it SO rough. i probably look like a haggard beast at this point :)

[musicguy]

Naw, theres ALWAYStime to meditate. Even if its only for half an hour. Do you know how sunshine?

[Buffalo Head '75]

nice thread. i am suffering from insomnia like crazy. nothing works. eh, oh well. where are you andy?! who better to talk to about it than you?!?! missin' ya

insomnia is a tough thing to beat. how to quiet the mind when you are in a situation where there is nothing but quiet.

I have actually learned to let my mind wander and just wait until it runs itself out and I am asleep.

even asleep I still toss and turn. I also sometimes wake up and can't tell if the dream was real life or fake... it comes to me in about a minute or so but it is a very confusing minute.

try to get some rest... even if it is not "sleep". Close your eyes and rest your mind.

[hits.of.sunshine]

andy, you have such a way w/ words. i do do that but... my eyes just flick open. my mind races. it doesn't stop!! thank god (or whatever) for music. it's the only thing that calms me. and talking to someone. that's always nice. hope you're still around!

[StellaBlue]

Go to earthclinic.com and search insomnia. Tons of different ideas there.

[Hippie Staff]

Ok, this is going to sound weird..but I can FEEL insomnia coming on. Usually I have a ton going on, and I have that nightime restlessness. I've tried tea, relaxing, cutting back caffeine, but I think most of it is psychological, and not
physiological. (for me)

So instead of fighting it..I embrace it. Bring it on night of sleeplessness!

I save movies for nights like this. Usually I DO end up falling asleep..and it's not so bad after all.

I think the not fighting it is part of dealing with it.

Also - making lists seems to chill out my brain. If I just write down everything I have to do, from the big things down to the downright silly, I can then finally shut down.

[Buffalo Head '75]

Ok, this is going to sound weird..but I can FEEL insomnia coming on. Usually I have a ton going on, and I have that nightime restlessness. I've tried tea, relaxing, cutting back caffeine, but I think most of it is psychological, and not
physiological. (for me)

So instead of fighting it..I embrace it. Bring it on night of sleeplessness!

I save movies for nights like this. Usually I DO end up falling asleep..and it's not so bad after all.

I think the not fighting it is part of dealing with it.

Also - making lists seems to chill out my brain. If I just write down everything I have to do, from the big things down to the downright silly, I can then finally shut down.

Meg,

that makes perfect sense. Like migraine sufferers most people with insomnia know that it is going to be triggered.

lists, eh. interesting.

[butterflyDancer]

That's the worst, when you just lie there and eventually 'wake up' and realize you haven't slept. *cringe*

I've also found that intense exercise, as long as you're done before 9 or so, helps a lot...I box, which is unexpected considering everything else about me, but hey. I love it! Go kick some ass, then go home, eat some bread with hummus and meditate... :D

Anyway, the point of all that was... exercise and meditation help a lot! Not always, but they make life a little easier.

[butterflyDancer]

Go to earthclinic.com and search insomnia. Tons of different ideas there.

Ooooh, this site is great. Thanks for the link!

[StellaBlue]

i love earthclinic. i find myself searching for cures for ailments i do not suffer from...love that site.

[hits.of.sunshine]

wow--thanks for showing earthclinic! (hadn't stumbled upon it until now...) but, they also have a good pet section. that's always nice. still cruisin' around on there... :hippie:

[butterflyDancer]

i love earthclinic. i find myself searching for cures for ailments i do not suffer from...love that site.

Haha, yes! I'm glad I'm not alone :D