New here

[Galaxiegirl89]

Hi I am new to this group I'm located in Texas and I'm 29 years old I have severe sleep issues that have been present since I was four or five or at least that's when I can remember it all starting. I am trying everything I can to be able to maintain a normal relationship and adult life but my struggle with sleep is a constant issue.

[Jason13124]

Hello and welcome to Sleep Support! I am new to this group as well. I really feel for you as I have the same troubs with sleep. Here are a few things I do to get by, you may or may not have tried these already. Now the first I will mention are quick fixes but not something you want to rely on. I take Valium for sleep, this is addictive so isn't for everyone. I also find Melatonin helpful, 10mg before bed. Doxylamine Succinate can help too, I believe you can buy this at the pharmacy in the US. All these are things to only use occasionally, but they help me get some relief at least. As for the most healthy things you can do for your sleep, natural things: drink herbal tea, such as chamomile. A glass of warm milk before bed helps me calm myself. Mindfulness is really helpful, you can download plenty of apps which help with this. Try to stop using screens 2 hours before bed, and don't keep your phone in your bedroom. Try to not fight the worried thoughts in your head when you are in bed, just let the thoughts come and go. Get up at the same time each morning. I hope some of these tips may help you, I'm sure some other people will give you more as well. Hugs.

[Hidden]

Wonderful post from Jason! Can I just add a few things of my own?

-Keep your bedroom temperature cooler than the rest of the house.

-Keep it completely dark when sleeping. If you can't get your bedroom completely dark, you can use a sleeping mask.

-adding nutmeg to the warm milk helps make me drowsy (not to mention that it tastes good!)

-do things that get your brain ready for sleep (listen to relaxing music, try easy breathing exercises, do some yoga, read a good book, etc.).

Things I love to do in the evenings are puzzle books, crosswords, cross-stich, and listening to music. I also sometimes do something that will tire me out like intense exercise. I know that this last one isn't really recommended for getting ready to sleep, but everybody has different methods.

I hope that the suggestions from me and Jason help you! Good luck and let us know if you need any more help.

[Galaxiegirl89 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you both for all of your helpful sugesstions. Unfortunately a lot of those are not an option because I live with someone who completely has no empathy and that's a whole different issue altogether. Money is tight so we have to save on the electric cranking the heat down isn't an option and mindfulness is very hard to practice when you're the only person that has to do basically every single chore as well as cook take care of the kids. On top of that I'm battling behcets... Or that is the most recent diagnoses. My family has basically kind of left me to fend for myself and I truly can't understand why. So I just accept that I am on my own and do what I can to change my circumstances which isn't much. I haven't had a vehicle for 2 years now and probably won't be getting one anytime soon because the narcissist I live with has decided to punish me for having a wreck I guess indefinitely. So trying meditation and warm baths and aromatherapy and tea with Valerian in it have all been helpful but it's like I'm running around so much doing so many things at all times throughout my day that my body and brain is not ready to go to sleep because it hasn't had a moment of peace for too long and needs to wind down. And because of all the emotional trauma that I'm continuing to experience daily it makes it even harder and harder to control my mental and emotional state. I recently found out I must be lactose intolerant so milk is a big No-No I tried changing my diet to be all natural even cut out meat for a while but saw no improvement except for in my skin, hair and eyesight. When I went to see a shrink they told me that there's nothing they can do for me because the problem is not something I can work on it's not a problem inside of me it's a problem that is being put in me due to the destructive environment that I am unfortunately trapped in currently. I've already checked women shelters and to take my kids there would be horribly damaging to them and their mental emotional and physical being and on top of that he could then turn around and try to get full custody due to me not having a stable home. And I'd rather die than lose my kids. So I know all these problems are my own making and I accept full responsibility which is why I am only still here because I am trying to find ways of improving myself my obvious personality deficits to be able to eventually find my way back into the real world. Thank you everyone for your support and advice and I hope that no one can relate to my situation cuz I really would never wish it on even my worst enemy.

[Hidden]

I have very similar issues my whole life. I have tried so many different things that have not worked. It sucks!