Now *I* need help falling asleep? Any suggestions?

[overcome]

After 9 months of working on getting DD to sleep, now *I* am having a difficult time falling asleep. I get in bed between 9 - 10 and often don't fall asleep until midnight. I think it is a combo of having a screwed up sleep schedule and having a lot on my mind (I'm a "thinker"..hard to quiet my thoughts).

Anyone have any tips? I thought of meditating (???) or a glass of sleepytime tea. I have resorted to taking an antihistimine to make me drowsy (plus I do have allergies). I don't want to do this often b/c I am still BF.

Sleep is a four letter word in this house these days, even though we all desperately want more of it!!

TIA

[kimbe]

I am a thinker too and I know how hard it is to quiet things down. I try to do a bedtime routine. Cup of tea, (check for geography challenge LOL!), brush teeth, wash face, go to bed. From a young age, I have found that the tense and relax your muscles thing worked really well. I start with my toes and work my way up.

One thing that helps me too is that I make sure that everything is done before I go to bed if possible. Dishes put away, toys away etc. If I have things I want to make sure that I do the next day, I make SURE to write them down so that I don't have to think about them while I am trying to go to bed!

I hope that you are able to fix your problem soon. It stinks to be tired.

Oh, could you try a bath or shower before you go to bed. My mom bought me this chamomile shampoo and lavendar body wash --- smells great and probably helps relax!

Good luck and sweet dreams!

[maestramommy]

I know how you feel. I wake up more often than Dora these days (I'm serious). Sometimes focusing on the white noise outside helps. I would say meditation is best. I am a thinker too and it drives me nuts. I start on one thing, and before you know it my mind is racing. Sometims just forcing myself to stop thinking of anything helps. Deep breathing and counting on the breaths helps clear my mind.

[brittone2]

I'm the same way...my brain keeps going at night and I HATE it. I've been like this all of my life...it is so so frustrating.

My absolute best period of rest was when I was pg with DS and doing my hypnobirthing stuff before bed. It worked tremendously well to relax me, and it was just awesome. Hypnobabies.com actually has a "better sleep now" CD or something like that but I haven't tried it. No drugs involved, no side effects, and it is a lifetime skill. I need to get back into practicing anyway with #2 on the way :) It really really worked well for me though.

I've also heard that some people are helped by keeping a notebook next to their bed. If you have a concern, worry, or a "to do" item, write it down if you are in bed awake. Sometimes our brains don't shut off because we're subconsciously trying not to forget to do XYZ tomorrow, kwim?

Not sure if you are at all open to hypnosis, but basically the CDs I used w/ hypnobirthing just teach you to do deep relaxation, breathing, etc. It isn't like they put you into some weird zombie like state or anything...I assure you. It just is tremendously relaxing.

[megs4413]

Boy I could have written that post! It was excrutiatingly difficult for me to sleep when DD finally started sleeping better (though she still gets up at least once most nights)...i thought i had insomnia. Here are the tips my doc gave me:

1) Don't try for longer than 15 minutes to fall asleep. Do a quiet activity for another 15 minutes and then try again. Try reading a book or a magazine...especially something kinda boring.....or drink some tea (though it may be counterproductive and make you have to pee!)
Don't watch TV or get on the computer--it's too stimulating and not conducive to sleep believe it or not
2) Find some relaxation techniques...I started trying to quiet my thougts by focusing on my breathing and relaxing my muscles.
3) Make a to do list and write it on paper BEFORE you get into bed....this is often the very thing we are focusing on when trying to get to sleep so having it laid out and stored on paper (so you don't have to store it in your mind) can help you relax and sleep
4) go to bed at the same time every night and get up at the same time every day (i know it's hardly possible sometimes with little ones!)
5) get some outdoor time and some excercise during the day--i know it doesn't seem related but it does help! Though I'm not big on excercise...or the great outdoors....

I hope you find something that works for you and you get some good rest soon!

[mudder17]

I agree with Beth. In the last 3 weeks, I've started really going on the hypnobabies CDs and it really really helps to relax. I should check out the "better sleep now" CD, though. I haven't heard of that one. I could probably use that one as well.

And yes, I really should get a notebook for next to my bed because there are times when my mind is racing and I get up, go to the kitchen and write things down and it helps. Having a notebook next to my bed would probably be a lot more efficient, LOL!


Eileen

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