To find something to get me back to sleep once I've woken up after sleeping just a couple hours
Hi Stacey,
How frustrating for you! MonaVie has worked for me and countless others in helping to sleep better at night and feel that they are well rested. It is an all natural fruit juice with 19 different fruits in it. It helps in a lot of other different ways as well. Let me know if you are interested in giving it a try.
Hi Stacey, as I'm sure you are aware your not being able to sleep most likely has a lot to do with your current situation which is going to take some getting used to. It's hard "starting over" and settling into an apartment. Your best bet is to try to deal with it the best you can. Maybe counseling or joining a support group would help. Knowing there are other women going through what you're going through and having another adult to talk to about how you're feeling and dealing with all the emotions of a divorce and being a single parent can be very helpful. Holding it in is just not healthy.
Also, try making a to-do list before you go to bed. That way what you need to do tomorrow is done on paper and you can relax and not worry about forgetting to get something done.
I read to get to sleep. Good luck!
Poor thing -- waking up and not being able to fall back asleep is the worst, isn't it? I go through periods where that happens, and it's usually associated with more than the usual amount of stress. You wake up and your stupid mind can't stop thinking. For me the pills don't do the trick after 1 or 2 nights, and the only thing that gets me back to sleep within an hour is reading. Tiring my eyes out does the trick. If I turn on the tv it's all over -- I can watch tv in the middle of the night for hours.
It sucks -- good luck.
Hi Stacey,
I know its so hard to not get the sleep you need. Have you tried a white noise maker? That helps me get back to sleep and also using the fan on low. Also, when you wake up anxious, write down everything that is on your mind at that moment- don't analyze or try to figure it out- just write it down. ( I keep a pad of paper and pen by my bed). This helps tremendously to clear your mind of any thoughts. Hope this helps.
Molly
I have not had this problem, but I just wanted to say that I'm sorry you're going through it. Let us know how it goes and good luck!
Hi Stacey,
I would suggest going to a Natural store or Whole Foods and ask for a natural sleeping medicine. When I went through a period of strong emotional stress I was taking "Holy Basil". It was incredibly helpful. There was no chemical feeling, it just allowed me to relax and fuction on a healthy level. My mother always tells me to meditate when I wake up in the middle of the night. Might Help.
Sending you lots of ZZZZZZZZZZ
Jamilah
Hi Stacey,
I'm so sorry you're having to go through this. It happened to me at one point, and actually at my yearly doctor's appointment, my doctor pointed out that I seemed especially sad. After talking to him about some of these health concerns that I had (not being able to sleep, feeling shaky and upset all the time, crying for "no good reason" etc.) he determined that I was actually depressed. He put me on a very small dose of Zoloft and in about a week I felt like a new person. Right away I was able to sleep through the night, which in turn helped me feel so much better. I didn't obsess as much over every little thing and my anxiety went away. Like you, I had been going through some very emotionally draining events with my family, work, etc. I stayed on the medication for about 2 years and then slowly went off of it, and have felt fine since.
So maybe this is not what you're going through, but in any event I think it's a good idea to see your doctor and talk about any medical reasons that might be underlying your sleeplessness.
Good luck to you and I hope you find something that works for you soon!
I have had a terrible time with sleeping and not being able to fall asleep if I wake up during the night for many reasons over my life....most recently my baby (now one). The biggest help for me is regular exercise..good, intense cardio seems to really help my mood and my sleeping. You have a lot going on so it's probably a healthy stress relief for you too...aside from all the other benefits!
Good luck!!!!
zzzzzzzzzzzzzz :-)
Do NOT take any herbal supplements if you are also taking Ambien or any other medications. Please talk to your doctor/pharmacist first. Combing non-prescription medications/herbal supplements with other medications can be dangerous or deadly!!! I have had very similar sleeping problems in the recent past. After talking to my primary care doc about it, it was determined that I was suffering from depression and anxiety. Once those were under control, my sleeping patterns improved greatly. I still have night where I wake up after only a couple of hours, but they are fewer and farther between. In your brief description of what is going on in your life, it seems like you have some pretty significant life changes going on and those could very well lead to some depression and anxiety. In addition to talking to your doc about your symptoms, finding other moms who are going through similar situations, or a support group can be really helpful as well. I hope you find some support and a good night's sleep!
Insomnia is a very tough thing to deal with especially with young ones who get up at their regular times regardless of how you feel. I could never bring myself to take anything for it because I would only worry more that I would not wake up if I really needed to (for my kids or whatever reason).
Another natural remedy you can try is GoChi or Himalayan Goji Juice. It has research studies that support better sleep quality, reduced fatigue and increased energy. A lot of people I know have found it very helpful.
Good luck!
Sheila
I suffer from insomnia. A friend of mine gave me a sound machine and it has made a huge difference in my sleep. I turn it on as soon as I wake up in the night and I go back to sleep. You can get cheap to expensive ones. Walmart.com has one for about 20 dollars that works pretty good and it has a timer on it. They are also called white noise machines.
Hi Stacey,
I just want to encourage you and your sons. Life changes such as the one you and your sons are going through are always difficult. Do you belong to a church that may have a support group? If not, check out some of the local churches in your area, some have wonderful counselors and/or pastors that are willing to just listen to you.
In the meantime, there is a hoemopathic remedy called Calms Forte and you can get it at The Vitamin Shoppe or probably any health food store. If you do purchase this get the one for kids the label is blue and has a moon on it. My husband tried the adult strenght and he said it actually kept him awake.
Lord bless,
Terese
Hi Stacey
One thing you migth want to take a closer look at IF you haven't already, but during the day, are you consuming a lot of caffeine, for example not just in coffee, but soda and in other food products? sleep deprivation is a vicious cycle to get out of.. b/c the more tired you are, the more caffeine and or sugar you may consume. Also, have you tried camomile tea, when I can't sleep , I drink the celestials seasons , sleepy time. I find it wks well AND of course, exercise, which b/c u are so tired, you probably haven't been able to do? these are the things that wk for me .. it's worth a try. good luck
I know what you are going through, being divorced myself. Try some warm milk, banana. I did the same thing and I felt my daughter deserved more. It does get better. Also try some tylenol pm. Good Luck :)
From: Lincoln,ca
I've had the same problem - I'm able to fall asleep initially (due to exhaustion), but when I wake up a few hours later, my mind won't shut down and I can't fall asleep again. My doctor recommended melatonin (3 mg) which is the substance our bodies produce to help us fall asleep.
There is no grogginess involved, just like natural sleep. It is available at drugstores, whole foods, etc, in the supplement section. Of course ask your doctor before taking supplements-especially if you're taking other meds. The trick for me has been to take it and go immediately back to bed and maybe read a book (not too exciting!) for a few minutes. If I get on the computer or get up to get something done, forget it! Oh, and I take it WHEN I wake up in the night, not before going to bed. But you can google it and see what other people do.
Acupuncture is great and really does not hurt at all.
It helps with the mind racing thing....
Stacy,
There is more going on here than missing sleep! Please find a doctor who you can speak with and will listen to you and explain your situation. Anxiety about your situation will disturb your sleep and make your grouchy.
Are you eating? Sincerely, Pat
Hi Stacey,
What I sense from your request is that you are lacking peace in your life. You are going through a major change, and you may feel some sadness for losing the "family unit" for your boys. You can get through this by getting quiet with yourself, stop thinking and feeling bad. Try yoga (class or DVD), make it a space in your day to concentrate on your breath and not think. This will invigorate your body and relax it to help you sleep. In time you will stop yourself from thinking of the past and move forward, with peace.
Also, Ambien does not let a body get REM (deep) sleep, so you are not resting as much as you could naturally.
Wishing you strength and peace....
I have survived with many nights with a lack of sleep. For me the best has been to meditate. Just follow your breathing, slowing it down and letting any negative thoughts pass when they do come, return to your breathe. Focus on each part of your body that is stressful and relax it. This should help you relax. If you don't go to sleep at least you are calming your body down during a very stressful time. Also some soft music can help block your inner critic and help focus your thoughts on relaxation. If you find that you cannot sleep after 20 minutes, get out of bed and do something then try again.