alternatives to sleeping tablets please

[Yorkiegirl]

Message withdrawn

[desperateSCOUSEwife]

have you tried camomile tea, find it very relaxing if not you can get
kalms
and there are other herbal remedies you can get at supermarket or chemist but cant remember the names

have been thinking of you
hugs
xxx

[MoreTeaAnyone]

What about lavendar essential oil? Rub in on arms etc just before bed.

[MarsLady]

camomile tea
fennel I think

lavender on your pillow... not too many drops though

[SherlockLGJ]

I have a really good relaxtion CD, DH calls it whale shagging music.

If you would like me to copy it for you, I would be happy to.

[trace2]

dr stuaerts valerian plus tea bags naturally caffeine free, they smell foul but they taste nice you can get the from herble shops or tescos

[trace2]

there is also nightall one a day

[Yorkiegirl]

Message withdrawn

[mandymac]

I read a really good article on good 'sleep hygiene' which is a bit of a weird turn of phrase, but basically was about making sure the stage was set for sleep. Suggestions included:
Keeping lights low for an hour or so before bedtime and not even switching on bathroom light to clean teeth etc.
No alcohol.
Don't have a clock next to your bed, as once you look at a clock apparently you kind of 'reset' your thinking making it harder to drift back off.
Try to make sure you are not too hot or cold.
I followed these rules after a few months of waking in the middle of the night and struggling to get back to sleep and it worked.
I also used lavendar and camomile tea.

hth

[flowertot]

Lavendar drops in your bath before bed to relax and calm you.
Eat a banana and drink warm milk.
Go to bed and get up same time every day.

[helsi]

there is a plant called lemon balm that my dad grew in his garden. He picked the leaves and made an infusion with boiled water and/or teaspoon of honey/sugar.
Very natural.

[thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat]

valerian herbal sleeping tablets - I'm an open-minded sceptic when it comes to herbal stuff but these things really work. exercise and fresh air during the day is also good, as is not eating too late.

[thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat]

some diet tips here

[micra]

when my mum was diagnosed with a terminal illness the only thing that worked was alcohol. Not getting steaming drunk, but a couple of glasses of wine on the sofa in the warmth would eventually get me nodding off. I've spoken to a few people in similar circumstances and they've admitted that it's the only thing that worked for them too.
Of course, when looking after her I'd need to be alert in the night in case she needed me, so not too much - but you know your own limits!
Probably not politically correct advice, but when you've been in that situation, nothing else works!

[foxinsocks]

some friends swear that rescue remedy stuff works for sleep

other tips - doing the relaxation breathing thing (breathe in slowly through your nose for say 4 counts then out more slowly through your mouth for say 8 counts - it naturally relaxes you as you are slowing your body down) - I haven't explained it well but I'm sure if you google it you'll find a better explanation.

also, darkening your room can help if you keep waking up in the early hours

hope something helps xxx

[Yorkiegirl]

Message withdrawn

[foxinsocks]

you poor thing - is it your mind whirring over and over?

[Yorkiegirl]

Message withdrawn

[Mercy]

Warm milk and a (large) drop of whisky/rum

Lavender oil in a burner/in a bath/dried lavender under your pillow


Meditation of some sort, deep breathing exercises before you go to bed. Actually some yoga positions or stretching are/is very good.

But if all else fails, sleeping tabs for a week will help if you get really desparate. Could your Mum come and stay for a few days?

[foxinsocks]

look up the relaxation exercises but they take a bit of time and practice (but they really do work)

I imagine it's quite normal to feel like you do - perhaps some of those herbal sleeping tabs you get in Boots would be a sort of halfway house?

have you got anyone helping you out with the practical stuff? perhaps someone taking some of the responsibility would make you feel a little better?

[thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat]

Yorkiegirl - I was going to put this, and then I didn't, cos I was guessing it wasn't the so-many-things-to-do thing that was the problem, but as you;ve said it - I would really recommend lists. get a notebook and after dinner each evening jot down everything you need to do the next day/next few days. Writing it all down in orderly fashion really does stop it all buzzing round your head when you want to sleep. Keep the book by your bed and if you remember something important, just quickly jot it down.