posted
I suffer from occasional insomnia. Over the years I've become good friends with my family's remedies: warm milk, the spoonful of honey and Benadryl. I've had varying success with them.
1. warm milk: sometimes works 2. spoonful of honey: sometimes works 3. Benadryl: usually works but leaves me groggy
Does anyone out there have other home remedies for insomnia. Do they work for you? Or are they just old wive's tales?
IP: Logged |
posted
I read a Donald Duck comic once where he suffered from insomnia because everytime he went to sleep he had terrible dreams. The doctor made him crochet doilies before he went to bed as a prescription, something about the act of doing something that you really don't want to do helps you to stop focusing on other stuff and makes you tired. It didn't wind up working on Donald though, at the end of the comic, he winds up getting into a bunch of situations which are worse than any of his nightmares, and facing his fears winds up curing him.
Unfortunately, I don't recall reading any comics where the insomnia wasn't also accompanied by nightmares.
Couldn't hurt to try crocheting doilies though.
-------------------- "That would be really dangerous, you know. Indiscriminately extricating someone from the petrified corpse of a supernatural creature." - My Husband Posts: 4308 | From: Massachusetts | Registered: Jun 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'm not sure this is really a "home remedy" but melatonin is supposed to help with insomnia.
I often suffer from insomnia. Several years ago, I tried melatonin. The only downside for me is that I had very, very realistic dreams and nightmares. I stopped it because of the nightmares. OTOH, a friend of mine took it during that time period and he was fine with it. YMMV.
-------------------- "My name is the symbol for my identity and must not be lost." Motto of the Lucy Stone League. Posts: 1815 | From: Pennsylvania | Registered: Jul 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
How about no food for 3 hours before going to sleep, a walk, a warm bath, and a cold pillow? These seems to work for me. Aslo, try not to think about anything and just concentrate on your breathing.
-------------------- Ladies and gentlemen, chlorinate your gene pools! Posts: 250 | From: Brooklyn, New York | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged |
mccliii
The Red and the Green Stamps
posted
If I put my head at the foot of the bed I will amost always go right to sleep.
IP: Logged |
Sara at home
Ding Dong! Merrily on High Definition TV
posted
I put on CNN, FoxNews or MSNBC. I lay down either in bed or on the sofa, then I read the news crawl across the bottom until I fall asleep. If I awaken during the night, I do it again.
However, one may not dwell on the content of the news crawl. ESPN may work for some.
Trust me, I'm an old wife.
-------------------- Assume that all my posts will be edited at least once. Dyslexic -- can't spell, can't type, can't proofread. Posts: 8317 | From: Reading, PA | Registered: Mar 2004
| IP: Logged |
quote: Does anyone out there have other home remedies for insomnia. Do they work for you? Or are they just old wive's tales?
Valerian works for a lot of people. It's a natural root, so you don't get the grogginess or the addiction. However, for me it seriously screwed up my REM cycles, and I'd end up waking up after about 3-4 hours of sleep - feeling surprisingly refreshed, but unable to go back to sleep. But that may just have been me. Not to mention the added problem of it tasting like you'd imagine a cow's ass to taste.
Some fairly strenuous exercise, several hours before bed is helpful. Hard to know in advance, though, when you're going to get hit with insomnia.
Another thing that sometimes works for me; laying flat on my back, mentally concentrate on relaxing every inch of your body - starting with your toes. Take about at least a couple of minutes for each individual section, toes, instep, heels, ankles, etc. I've never gotten all the way to the top of my head before sleep hits.
YMMV.
Ali "and there's always that other thing" Baba
Posts: 3068 | From: Kensington, MD | Registered: Feb 2000
| IP: Logged |
Sara at home
Ding Dong! Merrily on High Definition TV
posted
quote:Originally posted by AliBaba: Another thing that sometimes works for me; laying flat on my back, mentally concentrate on relaxing every inch of your body - starting with your toes. Take about at least a couple of minutes for each individual section, toes, instep, heels, ankles, etc. I've never gotten all the way to the top of my head before sleep hits.
I've used this one too. Worked everytime but once I did have to start over. I have this idea I learned it from an old Bugs Bunny cartoon. I start by repeatedly telling my feet to go to sleep, then my ankles, working my way up to my head. That's the way Bugs did it.
-------------------- Assume that all my posts will be edited at least once. Dyslexic -- can't spell, can't type, can't proofread. Posts: 8317 | From: Reading, PA | Registered: Mar 2004
| IP: Logged |
-------------------- The cat is watching me Posts: 47 | From: Fall River, MA | Registered: Mar 2005
| IP: Logged |
Ouch My Ankle
The Red and the Green Stamps
posted
quote:Originally posted by Vinnichanka: How about no food for 3 hours before going to sleep, a walk, a warm bath, and a cold pillow? These seems to work for me. Aslo, try not to think about anything and just concentrate on your breathing.
Last night I tried not eating 3 hours before sleeping. I took a warm shower around 1 hour before I went to bed. And I concentrated on my breathing once I got into bed. It really seemed to help quite a bit. I actually got a good night's sleep.
I've also received these tips from the people around me at work, etc...:
1. Turn the alarm clock around and don't worry about what time it is. Stressing out about not sleeping will keep you awake. I believe this because the other night I was very upset about not getting to sleep.
2. Make a pre-sleep routine to signal to your body that it's bedtime.
3. Go to sleep at the same time every night. This will get you used to sleeping regularly.
4. Avoid caffeine. This is a tough one for me since I really, really enjoy a nice cup of coffee or tea.
5. Avoid alcohol. Apparently, it can cause you to awaken prematurely during the night (true???)
IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Ouch My Ankle: 5. Avoid alcohol. Apparently, it can cause you to awaken prematurely during the night (true???)
I never heard that specifically, but I know that everytime I've been drinking, even if I've had just a few drinks before-hand, or only gotten moderately buzzed, or if I've been full-on drunk, I've ALWAYS awoken very early the next morning. This has only happened if the drinking has happened very soon before I went to sleep. I'm sure I'd be fine if I had a drink earlier in the evening, but drinking at night always makes me wake up early the next morning.
-------------------- "That would be really dangerous, you know. Indiscriminately extricating someone from the petrified corpse of a supernatural creature." - My Husband Posts: 4308 | From: Massachusetts | Registered: Jun 2003
| IP: Logged |
Roxi of Simple Delight
The Red and the Green Stamps
posted
quote:Originally posted by spriken: Sleepy time tea with milk and honey.
at least it works with stubborn kids.
That was the first thing I thought of! I've been drinking Sleepytime Tea for about six months now, and it definitely helped me with my insomnia. I think the thing that helped the most though was not the tea itself, but the fact that once I drank it, my body knew it was time to sleep. Every night, even if I was cramming for exams, I would try to go to bed at the same time, and always drink some tea and read a chapter or two in a non-school related book. I'd also change the lighting in my dorm room so that instead of starring at a harsh, flourescent bulb in the ceiling, the room was softly lit with a lamp in the corner. Now that I'm home, I'm less stressed out, so I need to sleep less and it's easier to do...but I still drink that sleepytime tea every night...
I would not recommend doing with my roommate did, which was drink sleepytime tea with a shot of gin in it. Not only did it taste horrible, but I'm not sure it worked so well for her. I used to hear her up at all hours of the night.
But yeah, a usual routine and an actual bedtime helped me a lot. And when all else fails, there's tylenol PM.
IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by AliBaba: Valerian works for a lot of people. It's a natural root, so you don't get the grogginess or the addiction. However, for me it seriously screwed up my REM cycles, and I'd end up waking up after about 3-4 hours of sleep - feeling surprisingly refreshed, but unable to go back to sleep. But that may just have been me. Not to mention the added problem of it tasting like you'd imagine a cow's ass to taste.
Ali "and there's always that other thing" Baba
I have to second all your comments about Valerian! I thought it was just the pills wearing off 1/2 way through the night, but I almost always wake up around 4am when I take them. Not *really* alert, but more alert than I usually am when I wake at that hour.
Also, I call them 'foot pills' cause I think they smell like sweaty feet. The taste and smell might vary from brand to brand. Now I know I'm going to wonder next time... 'is this what a cow's ass would taste like?'
-------------------- "England and America are two countries divided by a common language." - George Bernard Shaw Posts: 555 | From: Ireland | Registered: Apr 2003
| IP: Logged |
Seriously... Whenever I am suffering from insomnia, I read technical manuals or anything that is incredibly boring. Works every time!
-------------------- Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction - Antoine de Saint-Exupery Posts: 1961 | From: California | Registered: Jul 2004
| IP: Logged |
quote:1. Turn the alarm clock around and don't worry about what time it is. Stressing out about not sleeping will keep you awake.
There's a comedian from the 80's that had a routine that went like that:
(While holding a clock in inch from his face)
"If I go to sleep right now, I'll have 6 hours of sleep...If I go to sleep right now, I'll have 4 hours of sleep...If I go to sleep right now...I'll be late for work."
I find laying on the couch and turning on a shopping channel is as good as a tranquilizer. I think it's the pleasant tones of people babbling about how wonderful the ugly sweaters they're hawking is for hours on end that does it.
{Edited because I can't spell the word "Sweaters" correctly.}
-------------------- I would prefer not to. My blog Posts: 4789 | From: Rhode Island | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
Sara at home
Ding Dong! Merrily on High Definition TV
posted
quote:Originally posted by Syllavus:
quote:Originally posted by Ouch My Ankle: 5. Avoid alcohol. Apparently, it can cause you to awaken prematurely during the night (true???)
I never heard that specifically, but I know that everytime I've been drinking, even if I've had just a few drinks before-hand, or only gotten moderately buzzed, or if I've been full-on drunk, I've ALWAYS awoken very early the next morning. This has only happened if the drinking has happened very soon before I went to sleep. I'm sure I'd be fine if I had a drink earlier in the evening, but drinking at night always makes me wake up early the next morning.
That was my experience back in my drinking days.
-------------------- Assume that all my posts will be edited at least once. Dyslexic -- can't spell, can't type, can't proofread. Posts: 8317 | From: Reading, PA | Registered: Mar 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
1. Turn the alarm clock around and don't worry about what time it is. Stressing out about not sleeping will keep you awake. I believe this because the other night I was very upset about not getting to sleep.
Wouldn't work really for insomiacs. But maybe replacing your alarm clock would work. Try going from a buzzer to a watch beeper.
2. Make a pre-sleep routine to signal to your body that it's bedtime.
Or go for your usual sleeping time and think of something that makes you sleep like counting sheep or stuffing cotton balls in your ears if the noise bothers you at night like mother vacuuming at 9PM.
3. Go to sleep at the same time every night. This will get you used to sleeping regularly.
Kind of hard at daylight savings time when the sun doesn't behave properly. Then again could put some dark black tint plaster on the window.
4. Avoid caffeine. This is a tough one for me since I really, really enjoy a nice cup of coffee or tea.
Don't drink caffiene sodas or coffee after lunch. Drink Sprite Zero or Fruit flavored water.
5. Avoid alcohol. Apparently, it can cause you to awaken prematurely during the night (true???)
Maybe you end up in a bathroom stature at night. Usually too many alcohols dub you fast to bed but ends up with a super headache.
-------------------- Joseph Z Posts: 1356 | From: Woodbridge, VA | Registered: Jul 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Some studies have shown that the herb lavender can be a sleep aid when made into a sachet or pillow, or breathed in from a soap or fragrance. I've been trying it and it seems to be pleasant enough but not extremely effective. Of course, I sleep days and this is lawn mowing season, so your mileage may vary if you actually have a quiet time to sleep.
posted
By "ugly sweaters", I meant the kind they sell nonstop from the Quacker Factory. You know they don't swear on shopping channels - not even when they fall from ladders!
And Ozzy was cute as a youngin'. Shame on you, Chloe!
-------------------- I would prefer not to. My blog Posts: 4789 | From: Rhode Island | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
-------------------- Nico Sasha In between my father's fields;And the citadels of the rule; Lies a no-man's land which I must cross; To find my stolen jewel. Posts: 4912 | From: VA | Registered: Jul 2003
| IP: Logged |
Ouch My Ankle
The Red and the Green Stamps
posted
quote:Originally posted by Mad Jay: I'm surprised no one has mentioned sex.
That actually doesn't work for me if it's right before I try to sleep. I get too keyed-up and I can't calm down for 30 minutes or so.
IP: Logged |
posted
Exercise. Start doing at least 20-30 minutes at least THREE TIMES PER WEEK (or daily!) where you get your heart rate up. You don't have to go balls-to-the-wall but something that gets your breathing hard and you KNOW you did something other than going up a flight of stairs. This won't effect you for at least three days... but after that (YMMV) you should start sleeping better.
Yes, sex can do the same thing - but stick to the times... and be warned, a minute and a half, fifteen times a day doesn't count!!
We already talked about no eating within three hours and laying off caffeine and alcohol.
I recommend walks. Go out for dawn walks for at least 30 minutes in the mornings. The sights and sounds are more interesting then, and you might get to see some nocturnal critters!!
Personally, between the exercise and no caffeine and alcohol, I sleep like a baby. If I get sex as well, I end up drooling on the pillow and filling my pants...
-------------------- Opinions aren't excuses to remain ignorant about subjects, nor are they excuses to never examine one's beliefs & prejudices...
Babies are like tattoos. You see other peoples' & they're cool, but yours is never as good & you can't get rid of it. Posts: 5622 | From: Jax, Florida | Registered: Nov 2003
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Mad Jay: I'm surprised no one has mentioned sex.
That actually doesn't work for me if it's right before I try to sleep. I get too keyed-up and I can't calm down for 30 minutes or so.
I meant with someone other than yourself just joking
But, it does work for me. I used to be a terrible insomniac until I met my wife. Even now, if I'm in the mood and she's not, I go to sleep around 5am and wake up at 8.
-------------------- Nico Sasha In between my father's fields;And the citadels of the rule; Lies a no-man's land which I must cross; To find my stolen jewel. Posts: 4912 | From: VA | Registered: Jul 2003
| IP: Logged |
NoName
The Red and the Green Stamps
posted
(Finally done waiting for activation)
This is probably one of those posts that is helpful if you didn't know and annoying if you did, but Benadryl is not exactly a home remedy. The active ingredient (diphenhydramine HCl) is the same thing in Sominex and other OTC sleep aids. I can't figure out why the sleep aids are more expensive though...
IP: Logged |
Ever notice how we always fall in love? We never climb gently in to love, or step lightly in to love. If love is such a good thing than why is it described as a fall. Posts: 918 | From: La Salle Illinois USA | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Listening to Enya tends to do the trick for me.
-------------------- High on the wind, the Highland drums begin to roll, and something from the past just comes and stares into my soul... --Mark Knopfler Posts: 3402 | From: New Bern, NC | Registered: May 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
I have a small child. I can sleep any time, anywhere....
Not true, actually. I sleep well when CatNip is here; I have trouble sleeping when he's not.
If all else fails (and I mean I have to be really desperate!), I read my thesis. I poured a year and a half of my life into those pages, and it is the most stultifyingly boring thing you're ever likely to fall asleep reading. Really.
Four Kitties
-------------------- If swimming is so good for your figure, how do you explain whales? Posts: 13275 | From: Kindergarten World, Massachusetts | Registered: Jul 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I have a magnet entitled "Tips for Quality Sleep"
quote: Do: Exercise regularly, but not right before bedtime becuase this may make it harder to sleep. Do: Go to bed only when you are sleepy, and use your bed bed only for sleeping and sex, not for reading or watching TV. Do: Get up at the same time every day, regardless of when you fall asleep, even on weekends.
Don't: Consume caffeine within 6 hours of bedtime, and avoid alcohol and smoking 1-2 hours before bedtime. Don't: Be a bedtime worrier. Write down problems to put them aside for the night. And don't stay in bed if you can't sleep; go to another room until you feel sleepy Don't: Go to bed hungry. Hunger may wake you up. However, don't overeat before going to bed.
This is an advertisement for Ambien that I got from a doctor's office.
Some of the things are not good for peopel with strict schedules, but I find that going to bed only when I'm tired = less time in bed while not asleep. I still read in bed though and I know I shouldn't.
-------------------- Linguae quae genera distincta non habent inuriam faciunt feminis! - Henricus Barbatus, Lingua Latina Multo Pluribus Occasionibus Sweet Pea Accidentally offending people online since 1998. Posts: 83 | From: College Station, TX | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Could always buy a bottle of (cloriform?) whatever the name is doused in a hankerchief. The stuff used by criminals to put victims out cold after breathing it in.
-------------------- Joseph Z Posts: 1356 | From: Woodbridge, VA | Registered: Jul 2004
| IP: Logged |
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[fish]](graemlins/fish.gif)
![[lol]](graemlins/lol.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
