Any *natural* ways around insomnia?

Question

A friend of mine has insomnia. She's tried almost everything. Sleeping in different directions, different rooms, on different surfaces. With music/tv, without it. She's even tried feng shui, and yoga before to relax.

She may 'drift'. By 'drift' I mean her eyes close and she 'floats toward sleep' but never seems to make it to REM where the resting begins.

As an ex-pill popper, she's scared of becoming hooked again and simply refuses to go the medication route. Does anyone have an inside tip or two she can try?

Thank you all in advance.

Answer 1

Learn to relax .get some relaxation tapes or cds/ meditate. avoid cafene

Answer 2

She should take Melatonin. It is a natural hormone that is the biological clock telling you when to go to sleep and wake up. Its not habit forming and doesn't have any major side effects, may cause some slight grogginess for first week until body gets used to it. It can be purchased at GNC for as much as 7.99 for 120ct. It comes in 2 doses, 1mg and 3mg, both in time-release (slow release, giving continuous amounts through out the night) and non-time released formulas. She should start off taking the 1mg until she can find the right dosage that works...no more than 3mg should be taken in a 24hr period. If they help her fall asleep but she has problems staying asleep she should try the time release formula. She should also consult with a physician about this. It should be taken 30 min before desired bed time and do not drive after taking this.

Answer 3

Your friend's story sounds almost exactly like mine, I feel her pain, it's so beyond horrible, words can't describe it...but I digress. As a former pill popper myself, I was determined to cure my insomnia the natural way but I seemed to make myself sick in the process with never getting a proper night's rest. I tried what you listed and nothing worked and my bed became my enemy.

That being said, what finally helped me, was a CD by Sound Sleep Solutions. I was skeptical at first. Forget skeptical, I laughed out loud when I first listened to it thinking it was incredibly cheesy and couldn't possibly help my insomnia. HOWEVER, I got over myself, and listened to it, although I'd tried listening to music before, this was different. This guy is board-certified in both clinical psychology and clinical sleep disorders. He walks you through Progressive Muscle Relaxation to relax your body, and then another process to relax your mind, then there are soothing sounds tracks afterwords. I was skeptical because I had tried Progressive Muscle Relaxation(PMR) but it didn't work, however this was different because someone else with a soothing voice was leading me through the PMR. Once I stopped laughing, it was amazing. The first time I did it, I slept through the night for the first time in months. I woke up the next morning and I was literally confused as to what just happened, I had truly slept and I didn't recognize the feeling!!! After using this I was able to get myself into a regular bedtime and I didn't hate my bed anymore.

So if this is something your friend might be interested in trying, she can download the tracks and burn it onto a CD from this website.

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/soundsleep

If she prefers, she can also just purchase the CD, also from the website listed above.

Sorry for being so verbose, but I completely sympathize with how insomnia can run your life, it's rough! I know that different things work for different people so there is no guarantee, but if she is willing to try it a few nights, she may find it helpful! I really hope so.

Answer 4

I've had this problem as well. Some herbs worked for me, but only for awhile and then I built up tolerance.
I have had good luck with amino acids such as arginine, tryptophan and glutamine. Others may work as well.
Do some research. What I like about the aminos is that you don't build up tolerance. Apparently they work even better the longer you use them. I am also using 5-HTP, and calcium and magnesium.
I'd also suggest a visit to a TCM (traditional chinese medicine) practitioner. The assesment is inexpensive and non-invasive, and can tell you surprising things about yourself.

Answer 5

Insomnia (sleeplessness) is due to stress,
dietary and medical problems. By making
small lifestyle changes like having a fixed
daily routine, relaxing and eating properly,
insomnia can be cured. I found the information at

Answer 6

Tell her to try Sleep Naturally by Nutrilite. They are a vitamin and supplement company so it's not a drug and you cannot get hooked believe me i used to be an ex pill head too. Anyway all of their stuff is guarenteed to work or they will give you 100% of your money back so you can't lose anything. Tell her to at least try it and if she doesn't like it she can just get a refund. You can't get it in stores but you can get it at http://www.adrennan.qhealthzone.com just type sleep into the search box and it'll come up. Good Luck.

Answer 7

Hi,
Have you ever heard of Himalayan Goji Juice? Goji has enjoyed long use throughout Asia in the natural treatment of insomnia. In several medical study group with elderly people, nearly all patients taking goji reported better quality of sleep.

[e-mail]
www.deanandcathy.gojiteam.com

Answer 8

Valerian root pills or extracts will relax your nervous system and send you on a deep sleep. take it 40 minutes before going to sleep. Take the liquid version for faster results and better absorption rate.

Answer 9

Sleeping pills are no remedy for sleeplessness. They are habit forming and become less
effective when taken continuously. They lower the I.Q., dull the brain and can prove fatal if taken
in excess or before or after alcohol. The side-effects of sleeping pills include indigestion, skin
rashes, lowered resistance to infection, circulatory and respiratory problems, poor appetite, high
blood pressure, kidney and liver problems and mental confusion.
To overcome the problem, one should adhere to a regular sleeping schedule, going to bed at a
fixed time each night and getting up at a fixed time each morning. Early to bed and early to rise
is a good rule. Two hours of sleep before midnight are more beneficial than four after. It is sheer
folly for students, at examination times, to keep awake till long after midnight, drinking one cup of
tea after another, as that is only apt to cause blackness and inability to concentrate in the
examination hall.
Research has shown that people with chronic insomnia almost invariably marked deficiencies of
such key nutrients as B-complex vitamins, and vitamin C and D as also calcium,magnesium,
manganese, potassium and zinc. The sleep mechanism is unable to function efficiently unless
each of these nutrients is present in adequate amounts in the diet.
A balanced diet with simple modifications in the eating pattern will go a long way in the treatment
and cure of insominia. Such a diet should exclude white flour products, sugar and its products,
tea ,coffee, chocolate, cola drinks, alcohol, fatty foods, fried foods, foods containing additives,
that is chemicals for preserving, colouring and flavouring, excessive use of salt and strong
condiments.
In the modified eating pattern, breakfast should consist of fresh and dried fruits, whole cereals,
seeds and yogurt. Of the two main meals, one should consist of a large mixed salad and the
other should be protein-based. A cup of milk sweetened with honey at bedtime is helpful as the
amino-acid tryptophan contained in milk induces sleep.
Sleep is often elusive. Any attempt to force it only drives it further away. It is better to divert the
mind with soft music or light reading. While going to bed, visualise a blank black wall occupying
the entire field of vision. Turn your thoughts to light and cheerful matters. Use light bed clothes
and relax. Do not lie on your back, put on your side with one or both knees brought well up and
the head and shoulders slightly forward. During the night, the position of the arms and legs
should be changed frequently and a healthy sleeper usually shifts from one side to the other
several times in the course of the night.
Controlled breathing is also a great help in inducing sleep. The method is to lie on your side in
bed, and then take three deep breaths expanding the abdomen completely. Then hold your
brath as long as you can. Next, take three more breaths and repeat the breath-holding. While
you hold your breath, carbon dioxide accumulates in the body and induces natural sleep.
Regular, active exercising during the day and mild exercise at bedtime enhances the quantity
and the quality of sleep. Exercise stimulates the elimination of lactic acid from the body which
correlates with stress and muscular tension. Regular exercise also produces hormonal changes
which are beneficial to the body and to the sleep pattern. Walking, jogging, skipping, swimming
are all ideal exercises. Vigorous exercise should, however, be avoided at night as this can be
over-stimulating.

Answer 10

I would use a herbal tablet called "Kalms" They worked for me. Also clenching every muscle in your body one by one and releasing slowly, then tightening them all up together one by one and releasing again one by one til you realease your toes. This used to be my mums way of making me sleep.