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Here's to Your Health:  Not sleeping. Natural remedies?  |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 10 2007 : 06:19:03 AM
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Does anyone have any natural remedies (that don't involve drinking water before I go to bed :))?
I'm really struggling to GET to sleep, and then when I do, I wake up every hour on the hour and my mind starts kicking again. I guess it probably never stopped, but it's been several nights in a row and I'm really starting to feel run down. Burst into tears this morning over a commercial, so I think I need to do something--quick 
"In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." Margaret Atwood
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laluna
True Blue Farmgirl
295 Posts
New York
USA
295 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2007 : 08:52:06 AM
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| I swear by Bach's Rescue Sleep (http://www.bachflower.com/RescueSleep.htm)...I've used some of their other flower-based remedies for other things in the past, and have found them to be very helpful. I hate not being able to sleep - I'm a big worrier - but the Rescue Sleep helps to calm the repetitive thoughts. Good luck! |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2007 : 08:57:21 AM
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Thanks so much! Your issue is mine--I worry, worry, worry. I tried to see if they had a retail location near me to purchase it, but I couldn't. Where do you buy yours--from them, or from a healthfood store?
"In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." Margaret Atwood
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2007 : 09:53:30 AM
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Here are several things that I do when I have trouble sleeping:
Try free writing: You set a timer for 1-3 minutes, then sit down with a pen and paper and just write. The only rules are that your pen never stops moving and you don't go back to read what you wrote. You also can't correct it- not even to go back to correct puctuation. It can just come out as nonsense or a story or a grocery list or whatever. It is supposed to help you deal with all those thoughts that are chasing around in your head. It's your choice to go back and read your freewriting afterwards or not- but no reading while freewriting! We had to do this for a class I took once and it was amazing! The first foew times that you do it- it feels a bit odd and you don't know what to say- but by the third or fourth time you really get into the swing of it! Sometimes I would just write "I don't know what to say...I don't know what to say" until somehting occured to me. The important thing is that you are writing.
Another thing you could try is drinking a warm glass of milk- the tryptophan in milk, orange juice, and turkey helps boost seratonin and melatonin levels. Seratonin is the feel good chemical and melatonin is the chemical that helps us go to sleep.
And if those two things fail, I go to my health food store and buy Melatonin. It is what our bodies naturally produce to help us fall asleep. Every time I have taken Melatonin I have been asleep 30 minutes later and I have an AMAZING nights sleep.
I hope some of that helps!
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora! |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2007 : 1:05:29 PM
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I sewed two pieces of fabric together about two weeks ago and filled the pouch about 3/4 full or a little more with a mix of rice, lavender and spearmint leaves. It is long enough that I can drap it across my eyes. When I get in be I lay this over my eyes or kindof wrap it around my neck. I have slept SOOOOO good every night since I did this.
Jewelry, art, baskets, etc.
www.willowartist.etsy.com
www.willowtreecreek.com |
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emsmommy5
True Blue Farmgirl
1547 Posts
Angie
Buckley
WA
USA
1547 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2007 : 3:20:38 PM
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I couldn't do the melatonin because I would fall asleep, but on-the-dot three hours later I was up and wide awake. Maybe my body thought it was enough sleep, but I sure didn't.
One thing I have found that I like is from NaturalCare called SleepFix, it's a homeopathic mixture. Due to a couple of years of incredible stress in my life, I felt prompted to get a prescription from the doctor for a sleep aid. But I have been using the SleepFix off and on for several months, sometimes alone, sometimes with my other med and it really does help me. I find that when I take the presciption alone I can fall asleep, but with the SleepFix, I sleep better and longer without waking up.
I like the idea of the herbal sleep pouch. Might try that too. Or I might put it over husband's mouth so the snoring is muffled. Another cause of my sleeplessness. =)
Lord, keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth! |
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kitchensqueen
True Blue Farmgirl
521 Posts
521 Posts |
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RachelLeigh
True Blue Farmgirl
635 Posts
Rachel
Rainier
WA
USA
635 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2007 : 5:46:12 PM
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I struggle with this as well. Normally on Sunday nights, I can't sleep at all. But one thing that has really helped is to simply put a wet cloth over my eyes. The coolness of it is soothing and for some reason helps me fall asleep faster. I like the ideas on this thread too....I will try ANYTHING to actually fall asleep and stay asleep!
my blog: http://catholiccountrygirl.wordpress.com |
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laluna
True Blue Farmgirl
295 Posts
New York
USA
295 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2007 : 6:11:10 PM
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| @Jonni - I can buy the Rescue Sleep at my local supermarket as well as health food stores. I should think it's fairly easy to find. And if you have a health food store near you, they should definitely know about Bach's remedies. (My homeopath recommends them as well - they are perfectly safe, natural, and non-habit forming.) |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2007 : 7:27:52 PM
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Thanks so much, all of you. I'm sorry that we all seem to have trouble sleeping! I think I will try all of these at once. No, just kidding, but I'm going to give them all a shot, starting with the Rescue Sleep. I'm headed to the natural food store around the corner tomorrow at lunch. I really can't tell you how helpful all this information has been...I was feeling pretty despondent--which only makes me NOT want to sleep all over again. Vicious cycle.
My lavender is nice and plump right now, so I'm going to make a nice pillow, too.
"In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." Margaret Atwood
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2007 : 7:35:53 PM
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Jonni-
Also you can make a really nice bed sheet powder that always helps me sleep!
Take 2 cups cornstarch and a nice lavendar essential oil. Put anywhere from 5-10 drops essential oil into the Corn Starch. Either blend in food processor or blender until well mixed- or you can hand stir with a fork. Then sprinkle and smooth onto sheets and pillow when you make your bed or right before you climb into the sheets. The lavendar will help you sleep and the cornstarch makes the sheet feel amazing!!
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora! |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2007 : 7:57:53 PM
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Alee, that sounds heavenly! I'd make it up right now and put it in the bed, but for the sound a sleep snoring husband in my bed. Grr.
I'm trying to make myself REALLY tired by typing!
"In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." Margaret Atwood
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2007 : 8:35:22 PM
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You could always sprinkle it just on your side! LOL :) Maybe you could make it up tonight so it would be ready in the morning?
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora! |
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ArmyWifey
True Blue Farmgirl
712 Posts
Holly
Abilene
KS
712 Posts |
Posted - Jul 11 2007 : 06:17:24 AM
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Along with the above check your diet - some cheese crackers and a bit of lunch meat/meat before bed will help regulate your blood sugar. Also taking calcium before bed.
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!
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sewgirlie
True Blue Farmgirl
1894 Posts
Sheryl-lyn
Calverton
NY
USA
1894 Posts |
Posted - Jul 11 2007 : 1:38:27 PM
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I have struggled with "busy brain" for most of my life and have often had a hard time staying asleep. Plus the restless leg thing gets me nuts. Sometimes if I have a bowl of cereal at night, that helps me stay asleep. Also, I drink red tea with rooibis in it for my legs and that makes me sleep too. If none of that works, plug a pair of headphones in and listen to some soothing cds like classical music or waves crashing or something. That helps me when I am desperate.
I have such a busy brain issue at times that I really need the outside noise (like a cd or tv) to quiet down the inside (my head) noise. |
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emsmommy5
True Blue Farmgirl
1547 Posts
Angie
Buckley
WA
USA
1547 Posts |
Posted - Jul 13 2007 : 07:53:44 AM
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The music idea has been helpful for my hyperactive kidlets over the years. It had to be classical or celtic, something soothing. The other thing that worked for them was scriptures on cd. The voice of the person reading the scriptures was very soothing and quieting to the kids and they fell asleep much easier.
For restless legs, often times people who drink soda water with quinine in it- you can get it at the grocery store in the drink isle- seems to help with restless leg syndrome.
Lord, keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth! |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jul 13 2007 : 09:58:26 AM
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Have you been able to get a few good night's sleep yet Jonni?
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora! |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Jul 13 2007 : 1:51:33 PM
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Hey Alee--
Thanks for asking...I've been sleeping, but I've been making myself so tired through the course of my day (on purpose) so I don't have much excuse. Now it's my husband who's getting up (and waking ME up!) Ugh.
I did the bed powder (it's really lovely, isn't it?), and I've done the teas. Haven't made it to the healthfood store yet, but that's tomorrow!!!
Wish me luck!
"She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian. |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jul 13 2007 : 6:54:08 PM
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Jonni- Yup! The bed powder is amazing! :) I am glad you are getting a little sleep. Hopefully your husband will start getting some sleep soon too!
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora! |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Jul 15 2007 : 03:50:04 AM
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Exercise well before 4:00 for at least an hour. If you aren't physically active try swimming at least!
I also echo the lavender thing, and actually sleep with a small face pillow over my eyes to start.
Is there any unresolved stress in you life?
As a younger adult, I was the same way. Couldn't sleep for nuthin'. When I started full time work outside coupled with wearing ear plugs. Both solved this. You get used to hearing your own breathing and heart beat. And believe it or not, I do wake up for things like a dog whining to get out and hubby stirring around. |
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Here's to Your Health: Not sleeping. Natural remedies? |
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Not sleeping. Natural remedies?
