sleep aid

[Shiro]

I don't often get stressed, but when I do it interferes with sleep habits.

How do you guys tackle the sleep monster when your body rebels against your sleep habits?

...I can't sleep, ack!

[Tegir]

i have insomnia so dont sleep at all unless i take a prescription. i have tried everything else though so i know what does what without a prescription. if your brain is sleepy then you can take antihistamine or gravol to relax your body. others try melatonin but thst did nothing for me. also 5-HTP. if its your brain that wont shut up but your body is exhausted then it is something more difficult. vitamin b complex is good for stress. and omega 3 is good for mental health (not omega 3-6-9 though).

[Sasha]

Make a wind-down routine for yourself such as a shower or a book and not using your mind too much in the hour leading up until sleep, and melatonin can be found in any drug store and is a natural hormone to help guide your sleeping rhythm back in to focus - it's used to help jetlag and insomnia in times of need, all natural. Consider soothing teas, purrhaps one with chamomile/valerian in it, the warmth and aromatherapy are as well something to trigger relaxation in your body.

A good exercise a few hours before could release some dopamine and reduce stress as well. I'm sure there's plenty of tips online you can find, on stuff that may work for you. You just have to find your own routine for those times.

PS: Being on the computer at midnight isn't a great thing, it's so easy to, but you'll kick yourself for it for general stress and sleep.

Sasha~

antihistamine or gravol

Common sleep aids contain diphenhydramine which is also an antihistimine, but gravol (dramamine) is also a dissociative and probably should be kept away from in any regular use.

also 5-HTP.

A natural anti-depressant which could (over months) help some imbalance, but for immediate relief, its often packaged with valerian (a root) which might be where you find the sedation from.

If you ever do take sleep aids, make sure it's not often, tolerance comes quick.

[Tegir]

you sound very well informed. my sister is a naturopathic doctor. they are able to get something called somnopro by bioclinic. it is the perfect mix or all natural ingredients. its not in a pharmacy but at naturopathic clinic only. i really recommend it becase it really helped me.

[Sasha]

they are able to get something called somnopro by bioclinic.

Looks like somnopro contains two essential amino acids, 5-HTP, and melatonin. 5-HTP is converted by the body in to 5-HT, which is serotonin (the body's well-being neuroreceptor that antidepressants target.) It might aid in regulating sleep if taken regularly for a number of weeks or months, but must be taken with caution, and perhaps run by a doctor, and not alongside any other anti-depressants.

[Shiro]

I'll take the wind - down advice, sasha. I'll let you know if it works.

[Rushlight]

The best sleep aid is an early morning and a hard day of work. I used to have trouble sleeping all the time till I started getting up at 4AM for work. By 3pm I'm ready to sleep. My point is, if you don't exercise, and sleep in late, you'll never get good sleep because your body is thinking you haven't finished your day yet.

Another thing is to drink some coffee or strong tea when you wake up. The caffeine will give you a boost, and the crash will help you sleep.

[Rushlight]

Point being, baring any serious medical condition, just wake up earlier, don't be on the computer at night, and you'll sleep fine.

[Shiro]

While I would love to take your advice, I don't spend a lot of time on my computer these days and lately I've been waking up around six or seven AM. I've been stressed and the whole " early to bed early to rise "isn't really helping me. Thank you though!

[Tegir]

i got up at 4am for work every day for 4 years. it didnt alter my biological clock at all. i am just a night person. but i guess we already established that mine was a medical thing. it didnt start until university though; i had mono and its been like that ever since, although i dont see how those two are related, lol.

[Rushlight]

Well, extreme stress will do that. I still don't suggest meds though. Everyone I know who's taken meds for sleep or psychological issues, has ended up getting messes up because of them.

I've been in places where I've been so stressed or worried that I couldn't sleep. I usually just played Freespace until my mind was totally blank except for the mission at hand. Then after a few levels I could sleep. Idk, maybe you just need a mental distraction?