how can i get a decent sleep without chemical or alternative medicine?

Question

single,unemployed dad who just got broadband.(not reason for not sleeping though)

Answer 1

Hi there. First thing to do would be to try and determine why you are not sleeping. You mention, perhaps because it is praying on your mind, firstly that you are unemployed, and secondly that you are a dad. Does this mean that you are a dad separated from your partner or your children. If this is the case you could be hinting almost subconsciously that you really need some help and sympathy. Your insomnia may well be due to your current state of mind. If this is the case you should try and seek help for these problems, or at least someone to talk to who could help you to cope with them.

If I am barking up the wrong tree I apologise, perhaps you are actually a happy go lucky chap who is enjoying life. If so make sure that no one ruins it by giving you sleeping pills. They can ruin your sleep pattern for ever and can begin to cause problems with addiction after taking them for only 3 consecutive nights!

Lavender oil on the pillow or in the bath before retiring can help. Also oddly the commonly given advise to read a book, is an old wives tale! In insomniacs reading a book or watching TV before trying to go to sleep, activates the mind and may make things worse. Better to have a warm, non-caffeinated drink and sit quietly for an hour or so. Also Don't try and go to bed early, better to stay up late, so you are really tired. If things are not going well do have a chat with your GP, however if he offers you pills be very wary.

Answer 2

I'm an insomniac as well.

The way I deal with it, is to stay up one night and not sleep at all during the day.
The following night, have a warm drink and a light snack.
Then have a reasonably hot bath.
When I'm completely dry (hair) settle into bed and normally I go off almost straight away.
This gives me a fairly normal sleep pattern for a couple of weeks until I need to do it again.


It's not a remedy for everyone, maybe it's worth a try though!?



:~}

Answer 3

If you don't already do so, exercise might help you unwind and sleep. Try exercising during different times of the day and find which works best for you. You could also try yoga or meditation. And make sure you get at least half an hour of natural sunlight during the day. Just sitting in front of a computer screen all day will screw up your natural body rhythms which will lead to insomnia.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Exercise strenuously for 30 - 60 mins., but not within 2 hrs of bedtime, no coffee or tea within 6 hrs of bedtime. Bed for sleeping only. Learn and practice daily, as advised, and in times of adverse life events, the techniques described in: http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/ , the meditation especially. Warm bath with lavender, or drops on the pillow, and a glass of very warm milk, or chamomile tea, just before bedtime. No loud music, TV, or anything exciting (including reading), within 2 hrs of bedtime (keep something boring handy and read it). Adopt a set pre-sleep routine and stick to it. At first, for a short time, you may need Melatonin, taken early in the evening, or Valerian root (from health food stores and some supermarkets); try to avoid anything stronger, even TylenolPM or Nyquil. Use the sand method (autosuggestion), or the relaxation or meditation methods, in a very dark bedroom.

Answer 5

Hello, just wanted to let you know of a miracle pill that puts you to sleep, available over the counter, is actually very very beneficial for your health, and is only 3 bucks!! I had trouble falling asleep for years. I would lay in bed, and think and think and think for hours before I could fall asleep. It was literally driving me crazy!! I had tried every over the counter sleeping pill on the market and nothing helped. I turned to Nyquil and that did the trick. I had been drinking Nyquil almost every night to go to sleep until I stumbled upon this miracle sanity saving nutritional supplement named MELATONIN. And you can buy it at any GNC health food store. I advocate GNC because the melatonin they use goes through 85 different quality checks before its bottled. Buy the sublingual melatonin. The kind that dissolves underneath your tongue tastes like cherries and it’s good for you!! I was shocked at the effectiveness in putting me to sleep. If you have any questions before you buy it the sales associate at GNC should be able to answer any questions you have. It comes in 1 mg, I take 2 right before bed. The only side effects are weird dreams for the first two nights if any at all. Should be taken at regular bedtimes in the evening.
God Bless
P.S. after you try it and it works don’t forget to tell others about it. You could be saving someone else’s Sanity

Answer 6

Pick a time to go to bed! Make sure the room is warm and that it is as dark as possible! Have a warm bath and a milky drink first and have relaxing music playing in your bedroom. Get into bed and think of a part of your body and tighten your muscles there and then relax them! Move up or down the body whichever you prefer and when you feel relaxed just lay there and try to listen to the music. Don't think about going to sleep, just think about relaxing and let your body find its own rhythmn!

Answer 7

Establish a routine, nightly routine. It will get your body used to it. Whether its reading at night, or a bath, a glass of hot tea, or a glass of wine & a movie, you figure how you relax. Maybe incorporate some exercise in the day--not before bed tho. something to make you tired, then something to relax. Being consistent will help, train your body.

Answer 8

Do a heavy workout sometime during the day. Try a warm bath or shower, Yoga helps me, the stretching and controlled breathing help me to relax.

Answer 9

you can try this , it works for many people, first have a nice warm bath , look for some of your favourite music softer the better, get yourself relaxed in bed, Ready? think of your body . your body is full of sand , the sand is heavy , very heavy all this sand in your body keep thinking how heavy it is Your legs are heavy, your arms are heavy keep thinking how heavy the sand is relax relax. think now your body is full of little holes and the sand is slowly ,slowly flowing out of these little holes how heavy the sand is , think of the sand concentrate only on the sand flowing , flowing from your body ,flowing from your body think about the sand. and this way by concentrating on how heavy the sand is you will go to sleep. it works

Answer 10

well, I would suggest maybe warm milk before bed or watching a tv that doesnt really interest you all that much while you lie in bed, then put it on a timer so you won't wake up in the middle of the night