Does anyone know any home remedies for sleep?

Question

I'm faced with some tough decisions coming up and I am all about being healthy and not taking 'drugs' for everything..[ie: tylenol, sleeping pills, caffience pills etc.]
I've made lists to take my mind off of things, and I even tried reading and playing a little playstation2. But I just can't seem to fall asleep.
Does anyone have any good ideas?

Answer 1

You should really search before you ask. I recently encountered a similar question here is a copy of the best post:
[from: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aq0_UbJDjL7dB7ZDc8.fyH3sy6IX?qid=20061215012235AA1sxWm&show=7#profile-info-AA10869178 ]

Techniques you've probably already tried but are still worth trying again.

See a Doctor
Take a Warm Bath
Get a Massage
Listen to Music
Drink Warm Milk
Drink Herb Tea
Eat a Bedtime Snack
Avoid Caffeine, Alcohol and Tobacco
Sleep in a Well-Ventilated Room
Sleep on a Good Firm Bed
Sleep on Your Back
Get Some Physical Exercise During the Day
Keep Regular Bedtime Hours
If You Can't Sleep, Get Up until you are tired.
Don't Sleep In
Get Up Earlier in the Morning
Keep Your Bed a Place for Sleep,
leave the pc and tv in the other room
Avoid Naps
Avoid Illuminated Bedroom Clocks


Of course there's the standard technique that everyone knows (although it never worked for me)
Counting Sheep


Some techniques you probably haven't seen before

Sleep With Your Head Facing North
Don't Watch TV or Read Before Going to Bed
Progressive Relaxation
Deep Breathing (in through nose out through mouth)
Visualize Something Peaceful
Visualize Something Boring
Imagine It's Time to Get Up
Sex—Alone or with Others
Backwards Counting / Mental Computer
Earplugs
Secure Place
Bedtime Routine
Hot Water Bottle



What works for me is :


Progressive Relaxation

This exercise is most effective when you tape record the instructions in advance, preferably in your own voice. This way you don't have to concentrate on remembering the instructions. Also adding some peacful music to the background of the tape can help you to relax further.

You tape record them, with a short pause after each sentence to allow yourself time to actually do the sensing and relaxing.

Lie on your back, close your eyes, and begin to listen to the tape.

Feel your feet. Feel the weight of your feet. Feel your feet relax and sink into the bed.

Feel your lower legs. Feel the weight of your lower legs. Feel your lower legs relax and sink into the bed.

Feel your knees. Feel the weight of your knees. Feel your knees relax and sink into the bed.

Feel your upper legs. Feel the weight of your upper legs. Feel your upper legs relax and sink into the bed.

Feel your hands. Feel the weight of your hands. Feel your hands relax and sink into the bed.

Feel your lower arms. Feel the weight of your lower arms. Feel your lower arms relax and sink into the bed.

Feel your elbows. Feel the weight of your elbows. Feel your elbows relax and sink into the bed.

Feel your upper arms. Feel the weight of your upper arms. Feel your upper arms relax and sink into the bed.

Feel your buttocks. Feel the weight of your buttocks. Feel your buttocks relax and sink into the bed.

Feel your back. Feel the weight of your back. Feel your back relax and sink into the bed.

Feel your pelvic and belly area. Feel the weight of your pelvic and belly area. Feel your pelvic and belly area relax and sink into the bed.

Feel your chest. Feel the weight of your chest. Feel your chest relax and sink into the bed.

Feel your shoulders. Feel the weight of your shoulders. Feel your shoulders relax and sink into the bed.

Feel your neck, both front and back. Feel the weight of your neck. Feel your neck relax and sink into the bed.

Feel your skull. Feel the weight of your skull. Feel your skull relax and sink into the bed.

Feel your mouth. Feel any tension in your mouth. Feel your mouth relax and any tension slide off into the bed.

Feel your eyes. Feel any tension in your eyes. Feel your eyes relax and any tension slide off into the bed.

Feel your entire face. Feel any tension in your face. Feel your face relax and let any tension slide off into the bed.

Mentally scan your body. If you find any place that's still tense, relax it and let it sink into the bed.

or



Deep Breathing

One of the main reasons many of us are tense is our breathing. Most people breathe very shallowly, using only the top part of their lungs. Deep Breathing allows us to use our entire lungs, providing more oxygen to our bodies, and energizing and rejuvenating every organ and cell in our bodies. It is probably the most effective and beneficial method of relaxation seen.

Lie on your back.

Slowly relax your body, starting with your feet and moving through every part of your body until you have reached -- and relaxed -- your face and scalp.

Do a quick check to see if you've missed any place. If so, relax it.

Slowly begin to inhale, first filling your lower belly, then your stomach area, and then your chest and the top of your lungs almost up to your shoulders. Hold for a second or two, then begin to exhale. Empty the very bottom of your lungs first, then the middle, then finally the top.

Continue this breathing for 4 or 5 minutes. Don't force your breathing; it's not a contest to see how much air you can take in. Just do it in a relaxed, peaceful manner.

After a while, imagine that you are resting on a warm, gentle ocean. The sun is shining peacefully on your body. Imagine that you rise on the gentle swells of the water as you inhale, and that you slowly descend as you exhale.

Continue this relaxing breathing as long as you wish (hopefully until you fall asleep).

or


Quiet Ears

This technique is an ancient Eastern meditation as well as a great way to fall asleep.


Lie on your back with your hands behind your head, fingers interlocked, and your palms cupping the back of your head. Get as relaxed as possible (This position make take a little while to get used to).

Place your thumbs in your ears so that you are pressing the outer flap of your ear and blocking the entrance to the ear canal.

Lie quietly and listen for a high-pitched sound that you will gradually hear inside your head.

Lie there for 10 to 15 minutes and concentrate on that sound. Then put your arms to your sides and go to sleep. (Don't worry about all the stories of people who have ringing in their ears. This is different -- and natural.)

or




Visualize Something Peaceful

Just lie there with your eyes closed and imagine you're in your very favorite, most peaceful place. It may be on a sunny beach, swinging in a hammock in the mountains or your back yard, or all alone in a cave in the Himalayas.

Wherever it is, imagine you are there. You can see your surroundings, hear the peaceful sounds, smell the fragrance of the flowers, and feel the warmth of the sun or whatever sensations are there. Just relax and enjoy it -- and drift off to sleep.

Once you've found a place that's especially peaceful and effective, you'll find that the more you use it, the more you can count on it to help you relax and get to sleep. Its comfort and familiarity will make it more and more effective.


Good luck and rest well

From: Chelley

Answer 2

There are many remedies you can follow but truth is, if you have things on your mind, sleep is very hard to get into.

Making sure your sleeping environment is as relaxed as possible, lie in bed as per usual and tell yourself that now is the time to sleep. In a way, put sleep into the schedule, same as with your daily job and activities.

It is not easy to shut your brain out, it can be done though.
I would however recommend that you discuss your list of worries with someone. You might be going through depression and that may also be overcome without medication.

Answer 3

I know you said you don't believe in taking drugs, but try melatonin. It's a natural hormone that your body makes anyway. I work overnight shifts and have a really screwed up sleep pattern. I take one melatonin right before bed and before you know it your off to la la land. The nice thing about it is that if you have to get up.........alarm clock, smoke alarm.....etc you can come right out of your slumber and feel just fine. I am a firefighter (volunteet) and have gotten awakened by the pager in the middle of the night(or morning for me) and been able to function just fine. And when it's time to get up naturally, you can come out of your sleep feeling great and rested, and not in a fog like prescription sleep aids can cause. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

One of the best remedies I've ever had for sleep is a product called Calmax; as it's super absorbent (taken as a drink) goes straight into the system; and is a total muscle relaxant. It is calcium and magnesium, plus vitamin C; so is totally natural!
All the best; another great but less common remedy is to go for a long walk, and then go to bed.

Answer 5

excersice an hour before you go to bed and take a warm shower after that. that way your body will be tired from the workout and want to get some rest. also watch some very boring tv shows and keep a glass of water next to your bed. make sure its cold. good luck

Answer 6

Lower the light levels in your house at least an hour before bedtime to stimulate your brain's production of melatonin. Avoid the video games, they tend to stimulate people instead of relax them. Breathing exercises help some people. Meditaion techniques. sex releases certain chemicals in your brain that relax you.

If all else fails, you can BUY melatonin at many stores. You take it about an hour before bed, and it helps make it easier to fall asleep.

Answer 7

Most people don't get adequate sleep for their
busy schedule. But, sleep deprivation destroys
not only physical health,but also mental health.
More available at http://nosleep.in/sleepdeprivation.html

Answer 8

take Honey with lukewarm milk or water 30-35 mins before going to bed.

Answer 9

a full days work- physical and mental

end with a full glass of warm milk with a dash of honey

Answer 10

what helps me is a hot cup of chammomile tea before bedtime, and a small pillow filled with lavender next to me.