Tips for insomnia

[warbaby42]

I am 82. In recent weeks I have been plagued with insomnia. Drop off fairly quickly, but wake between 3 and 4 and can't get back to sleep. More often than not, I get up.t liI have a lot of admin to do as hubby has dementia (albeit fairly mildly) and I deal with more admin than I used to.

I have quite a bit of exercise, more so recently because the lift to our floor (3rd) is broken so most days I have to climb up 6 flights of stairs to get to our flat.

I know GPs don't like prescribing sleeping pills, the last one I had was Zoplicone which worked a treat.

I've tried spraying pillows with lavender purchased on line but that doesn't seem to work.

Last night I resorted to an antihistimine which worked like a dream, but don't want to take this every night.

Any tips would be appreciated.

[warbaby42]

I made a mistake on my post re insomnia. Should read - I have a lot more admin - sorry senior moment

[Jameshuh]

6 flights of stairs is impressive. I am taking sleeping pills (similar to what you took) and even that didn't work with getting up at 4am. I increased my treadmill time from 30 to 45 minutes (not sure what your GP recommends for you in terms of exercise) and I seem to be sleeping better for longer. I really don't know if it is the increased exercise or the fact that I'm working hard to establish a routine. At 4 in the morning nothing seems to work, meditation, deep breathing the only thing I can think of that worked in the past is having a pen and paper next to the bed and writing down any thought that is circulating in your head, sounds strange but it seems to get it out of your head sometimes allowing you to sleep. I've attached a video that you might find helpful it has other tips, wishing you health and a good night's sleep. youtube.com/watch?v=MvtbMMQ...(Not working as expected?)

[Quilt2]

Hi the same problem. What I find helpful is to have a nice, Pleasant audio book on the go. Since I sleep with my husband and don't want to wake him up, I plug in my headphones into my phone and play the audio book. I'm trying not to think about the fact that I am asleep and just enjoy listening. I find that it love me off to sleep. I can set a timer on it and I.Usually do for half an hour and I am usually out by then. If I find myself getting that feeling that I am going to fall asleep, I take the headphones off gently. I find it important to have a book that is not too exciting.But just a pleasant raid like a cozy mystery. This way, If by chance I don't fall asleep, I am enjoying my time and still relaxing, But I usually find it does.Put me back to sleep just like when I was a kid and being read to. I don't know if you have a smartphone, But if you do, It is really easy to download books from the library onto it. I use an app that our library uses called hoopla. I am sure your library can help you with this if you are unsure what to do. AnotherThing I sometimes do Is listen to a christian asmr On youtube. I don't know whether you are religious or Christian or what, So this may not be Relevant for you.

[warbaby42 in reply to Quilt2]

Thank you for those helpful tips

[Dixie9326]

An antihistamine is much safer than a sleeping pill..