Does anyone have an answer for helping an adult sleep better at night without drugs?
139489
I used to use sleeping pills and alcohol. Both damaging to body. I now use this dietarty supplement called Ionix. I take 1 capful in morning and 1 before I go to bed. I list two websites below. One is an iformation about the product and the second is where to get it.
965319
I had Insomnia about 10 years ago, after visiting a lot of Doctors and taking different medicines a friend took me to a Homeopath and she prescribed a Herb called PASSIFLORA INCARNATA in Q potency. I took it for three days 20 drop doses in some water every 6 hours ,never needed any aid to go to sleep after it. Wonderfully calming effect it had on me and its totally non addictive.Now whenever I am too uptight to go to sleep I take 20 drops in warm water and Zzzzzz :-) I go to peaceful sleep and wake up feeling fresh and pacified.\nBest of Luck
933841
Insomnia is complicated.  See a doctor that has experience in insomnia.  If you insist on taking sleep meds OTC then at least do not take tylenol (acetominophen) products every night.  The sleep agent in ANY over-the-counter med is diphenhydramine, also known by the brand name 'Benadryl'.  Take this med ALONE without the tylenol (acetominophen is liver-toxic if taken chronically).  \n\nHere are some other 'natural' sleep aids that you could try, which can be found in most health stores:  Melatonin and Valerian root (look these up). \n\nI lecture on insomnia, and I can tell you that the subject is far too complex to be fixed in this forum.
63281
Read a book.  Take Valerian Root and drink Chamomile tea and warm milk ... stay away from activities that may "stimulate" the mind ... listen to music, and fortunately I have a subliminal tape that induces sleep .... listen calming music ... listen comedians, because when the "mind" is happy, it is much easier to fall asleep.
466785
Wow, that's awful.\n\nI haven't had too much trouble with insomnia, but the few times I have, tylenol pm (over the counter) helped me wind down enough to sleep.\n\nAfter four days, I'm sure you've already tried the standards: milk ( contains natural stuff that helps you sleep..doesn't have to be warm - yuk!), a nice glass of wine, warm bath, etc.  \n\nGood luck, man.  Hope you don't get this because you've finally been able to sleep.
551445
I know you said no medicine but I have a tip. I too am into natural healing but you need to regulate your sleep patterns in order to fix your issue. When the sun goes down someone with normal sleep patterns will have in increase in their melatonin. It is a brain chemical that helps us to sleep through the night. You may have a shortage of this for a variety of reasons. You can take a melatonin supplement 20min before you want to fall asleep. After taking this supplement for as little as two weeks your body will start to regulate it's own melatonin levels and return you to a normal sleep schedule. I take it every few years when I feel like my lack of sleep is negatively effecting my life. Give it a shot. It is totally natural and non addictive. \nIt may have many other uses and has been reported to make people feel better, strengthen the immune system, and reduce free radicals in the body. Current research is underway to determine it's effect as an anti-oxidant, immno-modulator in cancer, delayed sleep-phase disorders, and jet lag. So it is actually good for you!
794026
I took Lunesta and found that it didn't work at all for me.  I had a metal taste in my mouth and it simply didn't allow me to sleep.  Ambien is addicitve and causes amnesia.  There is a new drug out called Rozerem.  It is non-addictive and it works to increase your bodies own melatonin in your brain.  You can stop it at any time.  I find it helpful in getting back to sleep once I have woken up.  Also, if you can get some soft meditation or ocean sounds on an ipod or any other headphone system that may remove "mind chatter" if the casue of your sleelessness if anxiety.  good luck.  I have had sleep problems for over a decade.  Get a handle on it quickly or it will get away from you and make you sick in other ways from pure exhaustion.\nBest wishes.
452554
I had a bad problem with insomnia for many years, and did some research on it. Here are the things I’ve found that help the most.\n\n1. Don't take the sleeping pills. Although they are not addictive in the way we tend to think (you won't jones for them if you miss taking them) they are addictive in the sense that once you have taken them for a while, you will have to take them to get to sleep, but they won't have the same effect they used too. This is because you tend to not get the necessary REM sleep you need to be rested. If you must take a sleeping pill, take it well before you go to sleep. For instance, I prefer to take sleeping pills 2 hours before I go to sleep, so that the pill can get into my system and make me drowsy before I get into bed, then get out of my system (hopefully) early enough that I get some normal sleep.\n\n2. Try to go to bed at about the same time every night. You have some wiggle room on this, but if you stay out on Saturday night till 3, it'll be harder to go to sleep at 10PM Sunday.\n\n(Which somewhat contradicts:)\n\n3. If possible, don't go to bed if you're not sleepy. Note - one thing I have read and found to be true is that you have to be awake for 12 hours before you can go back to sleep. So if you sleep till noon, again, you won't be sleepy at 10PM. \n\n4. Don't spend more than 15-30 minutes trying to get to sleep. If you notice that you've been in bed more than 15 minutes, get out of bed and do something for a while. Make sure what you do isn't going to make you more hyper; e.g. no exercising or energetic music or writing posts to online debates. \n\n5. When you go to bed, choose a chore or some other task that you do not want to do and tell yourself that if you are still awake in thirty minutes you will do that task. Then, if you are still awake, get up and do your chosen task. This is my favorite suggestion, as it has worked nearly every time I've used it. .\n\nThose are the most useful suggestions I have. Other things you can try:\n\nBefore you start getting ready for sleep, turn off high energy music and turn the lights down. I love R&R music, but I went through a period where I had to turn the radio off every night about an hour before I went to bed, or I would be too wired to sleep. And our bodies react to reduced light by producing melatonin which puts us to sleep. \n\nGet plenty of exercise, but not right before bed. (Unless you're weird like me - exercise right before bed just puts me to sleep)\n\nAnother suggestion that might work is to relax your body, consciously, one area at a time, starting from your feet. You think about the ball of your left foot and relax it, then the ball of your right foot, then the arch of your left foot, etc. You have to concentrate (pretty hard) on what you are doing
1048705
Try melatonin, a natural supplement.  Or valerian, an herb that induces sleep.
1048749
I can only tell you my own experience on getting a good nights sleep:\n1) I avoid caffeine after 2pm. 2) Walk 2 miles per day (if possible) and  physical exercise throughout the day.  3)  are their any emotional problems thats on my mind and causing sleep disturbance..4) Avoid Alcohol (it is a known sleep disturber  5)) Avoid heavy foods such as cheese at bedtime that are hard to digest. 6) Are you suffering from depression  (early morning awakening) 7)Going to bed at the same time every night and getting into a routine such as reading or watching TV etc. Staying asleep  is also a trick for me and if I wake up during the night and can't get back to sleep I will read again or watch TV and have a small bowl of cereal and milk/ take Ibuprofen (motrin) as it is a wonderful sleep aid and non addictive .Also, avoid taking any naps during the day or in the evening If all these measure fail then I would seek the help of a Doctor.
892951
Avoid drugs if at all possible, try Yoga first and meditation.  They are both great for chilling out...;
415667
Its one of the side effects to the drug. \nI would reccomend not taking sleeping pills as they are horrible for your health. Chamomile tea before bed and a lavender smelling pillow should do the trick.
57719
Try these if you want to fall asleep faster:\n\n1.  Exercise\nMake sure you exercise enough and stay physically active.  If you don't move a muscle all day long, you have too much energy left at the end of your day.  Do some aerobic sports at least every other day, each lasting 30 minutes or more.\n\n2.  Stress management\nToo much stress obviously help create insomnia.  Make sure you are not annoyed by or concerned with anything when you are in bed.  Relax yourself before going to bed.  If necessary, some "soft" relaxing exercise helps. (or even moderate stretching will do)\n\n3. Hot drink other than coffee\nIf possible, take a cup of hot or warm drink like skimmed milk.  Avoid drinking coffee starting from six hours (or more) before you go to bed.\n\n4. Body temperature\nI advise taking a warm shower before going to bed.  When you're sleeping your body temperature drops a little bit.  So the shower help create that "drop" because after the shower your body is slightly "hotter".  Make sure you feel a comfortable temperature at where you sleep. Too cold: add a blanket; too warm: show your bare feet or even your lower legs.
94362
I have dealt with insomnia too, and one of the best things you can do is create a regular sleep/wake cycle. Try to go to bed at the same time every night, and wake up at the same time every morning. It can be hard at first, but it really does help, and you'll feel better emotionally.\nAlso, you can try these tips:\n-cut back on coffee, tea, and soft drinks that contain caffeine; instead drink clear soft drinks like 7-Up and Sprite, or caffeine-free sodas like root beer\n-avoid eating large, heavy meals before going to bed\n-don't exercise too soon before going to bed\n-relax yourself before bed with a hot bath, meditation, progressive muscle relaxation (see my link), etc.\n-have a glass of warm milk and half a turkey sandwich about 30 minutes before going to bed; both contain tryptophan, which will help you sleep\n-don't use your bedroom as a place to work, eat, watch TV, etc.; it should be a place to sleep and rest and that's it\n-avoid alcoholic drinks in the evening\n-listen to calm, soothing music before bed and while you're trying to sleep\n-sleep on a comfortable mattress and pillow\n-keep your room at a cool temperature\n-practice deep breathing exercises (see link)\n-avoid naps if they interfere with your sleep/wake cycle\n-once you're in bed, visualize a safe, peaceful scene, like the beach or a rainy day\n-establish a bedtime ritual before going to sleep to key your body to relax; follow the ritual every night\n-keep your bedroom dark\n-sleep in a well-ventilated room\n-don't watch TV, read, or do any other mentally stimulating activity before bed\n-try to get into the habit of sleeping on your back... it's the best position for relaxing because it allows for deep, restful breathing\n\nGood luck!
977423
I have tried everything I can think of. Tests and medications. Herbs and vitamins. Rest and exercise. Going on strict diets with no sugar. Kept food, excercise, energy diaries.\n\nThe only thing tht has helped has been temzepam for the obligatory sleep problems. And even then, it only helps mildly with one symptom.\n\nLikewise, if you ever find out, I'd love to know.
457395
i have always been quite the insomniac.  luckily for me, I'm on a night shift now, and seeing as i enjoy staying up late i just do and it's fine.  however i wasn't always on a night shift so i can give u some of my techniques.\n\n1.)  first of all, u don't want pills?  is this a health thing like you don't like taking pills? u could try herbal supplements.  Valerian root and melatonin are the two best.  melatonin will always be in pill form that i know of, but it's just a replicate of the exact same chemical that your brain uses to put you to sleep.  it's either the best stuff out there or it won't work at all. that depends on you.  Valerian root on the other hand, has one major benefit for you.  it doesn't to be a pill.  u can actually buy this in it's natural form and i think u boil it in some water.  there may also be some herbal teas that have it.\n\n2.)ur second bet is herbal teas.  there are alot of them available a  sleep aid and even if they don't have Valerian root they do have other things that work.  and drinking something warm before u go to bed usually helps you go to sleep anyhow.  warm milk can sometimes do it for me.  you need to make sure, however, that you do not drink anything with sugar or caffeine in it at least 2 hours before you go to bed.  if i have to go to bed at ten, i don't drink caffeine after 5 pm, or not at all if i can help it.  also, u might try not smoking about a half hour before sleeping if u r a smoker.\n\n3.) another thing u can try is a sleep CD.  my friend Whitney swears by some of them.  they have music or sounds or just gentle whispering and she says that some of hers will put u to sleep within 5 minutes of starting them.\n\n4.) make sure that you have the most comfortable bed set up possible.  if your like me, your body and mind love finding any excuse to get up, and the wrong pillow blanket and mattress is an easy target.  i love the foam pillows but the foam mattresses suck for me.  but it all depends on you. if you sleep in clothes, make sure they are soft and loose.  it's better to sleep in the nude, however. also keeping a room a bit too cold for ur tastes but having plenty of cover is a great way to go to sleep.  you'll wrap urself up tightly and u won;t move.  soon you'll be asleep.  i always sleep better in winter.\n\n5.) reading or watching a television show that just DOES NOT INTEREST YOU is another way.  i watch the news because i hate the news.  sometimes the news can conk me out in the middle of the day.  \n\n6.)there are plenty of meditation exercises out there and lots of them can relax you to the point of sleepiness.  instructions for quite a few should be available on line, but try this one: breath in and fill your lungs all the way up.  imagine that when you breathe in you are breathing in a number (the number one for the first breath and so on).  fill ur lungs up completely with ones.  then breath out all of the ones (emptying ur lungs completely) and then continue with the number two. sounds crazy but it does relax you and if ur laying on ur back in ur bed, it can actually put you to sleep.\n\ni hope one of these works!!
1042873
I'm an insomniac so I can sympathize! There are all sorts of tricks to try, warm milk, a warm bath, mild exercise about 1 hour before bed. Try to read or do puzzles somewhere other than bed and have your room dark and on the cool side. try self relaxation when you lie down close your eyes and starting at your temples imagine each muscle slowly relaxing as you move down your body.  If all else fails a mild over the counter sleep aid may be needed on occassion or see a doctor. Good Luck and Sweet Dreams!