Hello

[BlueStar7]

I have been dealing with anxiety and insomnia for a very long time. I am not sure if my upbringing has anything to do with it. I realy dislike the terrible insomnia that comes with it, preventing me from doing the simple things in life. I would like to know what others have tried for insomnia that has helped? It is nice to meet everyone here and this is my first time joining anything like this.

[Agora1]

Hi dear, Insomnia is about following a few simple rules before bed.

(unless this is a medical condition)

Turn off blue light electronic devices at least an hour before retiring.

No caffeinated drinks or foods before bed. A dark, cool room will clear

your mind from the day's events. A warm bath or shower can help calm

the tense muscles and relax your body.

Once getting into bed, brush aside any negative intrusive thoughts that

may appear. Sink into the mattress and relax. Bring down your shoulders

away from your ears and breathe. Belly breathing in and slowly exhaling

stress.

I happen to use a Meditation tape before bed that contains self hypnosis,

visualization and imagery. As I breathe, my subconscious mind listens and

absorbs the positive words allowing me to go into a REM sleep which is

regenerative and restoring.

All these steps are a retraining of our mind and body to react differently then

our old habitual ways. It takes time but does work and is so much better for

you than lying awake or popping pills to sleep. Slow but sure, you WILL get there xx

[BlueStar7 in reply to Agora1]

Thank You for the advice. I noticed that after my divorce and not having much family. The loneliness has increased my anxiety, making it difficult to sleep. But I am going to follow your advise. Thank You and I appreciate it

[Kelkel00 in reply to Agora1]

I always love your advice, Agora!

May I ask the specific meditation you use to fall asleep? I like the one you previously recommended to me!

[Agora1 in reply to Kelkel00]

Thank you Kelkel00 Actually the cassette tape I use (yes cassette tape lol)

was given to me many years ago by a therapist. However, YouTube can provide

many quality Meditation videos with soft spoken speakers and the right choice

of words. On occasion I've recorded my own speaking voice using Meditation

and Breathing. You must speak slowly and quietly. Since my voice is mellow,

my mind accepts what I'm saying and I do relax.

Let me get back to you with several of the speakers that I tend to gravitate towards. xx

[Agora1 in reply to Kelkel00]

Hi Kelkel00, the speakers I favor for Meditation on YouTube are

Jason Stephenson, Michael Seeley, Mindful Peace and The Honest Guys.

You will notice that the quality of their voice can be relaxing and almost

hypnotic. I hope this helps you as well as others on the forum xx

[EndUser13]

Welcome, Esme 🙂

I tend to rely on melatonin and a prescription medication to sleep.

I also have a semi-regular schedule and allow myself a period of time to chill out before I pass out, usually involving reading or listening to audiobooks.

[BlueStar7 in reply to EndUser13]

Thank You so much for the advice. I am going to have to use melatonin again. I dont like the vivid dreams it gives, but at least im dreaming : )

[Blueruth]

On your profile you list valerian and melatonin. Melatonin is to help regulate sleep. It is great to use as you try to fix circadian rhythm but it is not a "sleeping pill". You are supposed to take it at the same time a couple hours before bed. The most ideal way to help is to follow Aurora's advice and also take a look at your sleep patterns. If your circadian rhythm is off then there are ways to get back on track. IDK if this is the problem because there is not a lot of detail in your post. Personally I find evening yoga to be really helpful. I think it is the stretching that really helps. I have to kick my cat out of my room sometimes. I got some room darkening drapes. Last night the moon hit my apt exactly right to make everything light up and make my cat think she should get me up. That was 3. Little things like that are what you need to identify.

[AnxiousSilver]

"I would like to know what others have tried for insomnia that has helped?"

I go through bad insomnia from time to time myself, but I also have prescription pills to help with that when needed.

I also get that prescription isn't for everyone, and have a family member that prefers natural remedies as well.

.

"It is nice to meet everyone here and this is my first time joining anything like this."

Welcome.

[AnonymousUsername13]

I use GABA (750MG), Magnesium oil (rub on my feet or stomach), & Kirkland sleep aid (it has doxylamine succinate, which is the active ingredient NyQuil has in it that makes u sleepy, besides the 10% alcohol). Those help lots most nights, but if i have especially bad anxiety, nothing helps, sadly (since i no longer take a benzodiazapine. When i did, that's all I needed).

[BlueStar7 in reply to AnonymousUsername13]

Hello, thanks for sharing those supplements that help. May I ask why you’re no longer taking a benzodiazepine?

[AnonymousUsername13 in reply to BlueStar7]

No doctors or psychiatrists in my city will prescribe them anymore, after late 2020. It was strange, like they all just got a memo that said they couldn't. Everywhere I've went or called (internal medicine, general practitioners, & psychiatrists) said they don't prescribe them after my doctor quit prescribing them (internal medicine, not psychiatrist). Others i knew at the same doctor said they were taken off too, & the doctors office told me they weren't prescribing them for anyone anymore. I was on Klonopin for 21 years before then. It was hell getting off but I'm finally getting back to a semblance of normal without them. I could have gotten them on the streets if i wanted to, but it was obviously more expensive, so i wanted to see if i could actually live my life without them. I am successful so far. 🤞

[gerrerd]

Hello and welcome, Loads of advice for insomnia on here. Let me know if they help you. I have knowledge of much more methods if the advice you get is not helping you. Ray.

[BlueStar7]

thank you and hello 🙂