Kalms

Does anyone here take these? I need something to help me get off to sleep; since being on my own worrying at bedtime seems to be a habit I can't seem to stop! I don't have anything to worry about really it is all "what if so and so during the night"!!!!

Val

 

Ohi ...you don't want to end up like Norma Jean (Marylin Monroe) I hope.
Don't you have some lively children to babysit? Then you would probably need pills to wake up.

 

Gemini. I've had insomnia for years. I tried herbal stuff, but nothing ever worked. I'm like you, my mind won't shut up at night, I have stupid thoughts of bad things happening. That's why I read in bed, try and give myself something else to think about. Saves me staring at the ceiling till 2am I have sleeping pills from the doc which I take only once a week. and they don't always work!

Have you tried all the usual stuff? No caffeine after 4pm. Warm bath before bed. milky drink before bed. No watching tv in bed. ummm.......anyone know any more?

 

Lavender oil, mixed with a bit of water and spritzed over your pillows; or maybe a hop pillow?

I'm with Ros on the reading to settle your mind before sleep (obviously not thrillers )
Maybe a meditation CD; one with calming music?

 

ah yes, forgot that one. I have loads of meditation/relaxation cds I use to aid sleep.

 

Thank you for all the suggestions, I used to have sleeping pills but they made me feel 'hung over' in the mornings which I hated so stopped taking them. Milky drinks are not an option, don't like them, I do have a small glass of beer and also a small glass of port which I enjoy but not enough to put me to sleep!! I just need to stop worrying!!

Val

 

No, only lively dogs!!!

Val

 

I worry about everything all the time, not just at bed time, so I think I know how you feel. There doesn't need to be anything to actually worry about because if everything is fine, you just sort of think of stuff that could happen.

I think various herbs can help. Lavender and Rosemary are useful, but ultimately they're just sticking plasters over the issue. You need to get to the bottom of why you worry when you don't need to. I make a conscious effort to realise I'm worrying, and then ask myself why. Quite often the reason is silly, or sometimes there is no reason at all its just that I've kind of got used to being in a particular frame of mind. Once I do that, I can temporarily stop feeling anxious. Gradually, over the many months since I realised I was doing this (worrying about everything and nothing), and have been consciously challenging my own feelings, gradually I'm finding I'm less anxious, and for less of the time.

A couple of rules I keep reminding myself of:
1. You can't change the past.
2. You only have limited influence over the future.
3. Things usually turn out alright in the end regardless.

 

I am fine now, though I used to have problems. I agree about something pleasantly scented like lavendar hop or rose oil, an electric fan if its hot and an electric blanket if its cold. Probably the Bach's Remedy would be good then its just something to occupy your mind.

Quite a good one is first to get into a really comfortable position and then start with your toes, and concentrate on really relaxing them to the extent they "feel heavy and immovable" then think of your ankles, calves etc working all the way up the body relaxing each part. If you get to the top of your head and you are still awake start back with your toes again

 

yes, the sleeping pill hang over is why I only take them once a week.

hmmm, I wonder if you can still buy chloroform? I'm sure THAT would help me sleep!

 

I bought a new matress a few weeks back Val and now i sleep a little bit too well, its one of those memory foam orphowhateveryoucallem ones, other than that all i can think of is a larva lamp or a fish tank they seem to work for some people or maybe try taking the dogs out for a bit of a jog in the evening to tire yourself out, that tends to work for me plus exercise can be really therapeutic, but you mite do that already for all i know. Hope you work something out

 

I have a new mattress and the dogs go out for 2 walks already. It isn't that I'm not tired because I am but I just can't relax because I worry that 'something' might happen in the night and I won't hear it!!!

Val

 

I would ask you to be more specific there but maybe it is too nosey...