Sleep issues

[BlackIsleGirl]

Hi all

Hoping for some advice regarding sleeping. Being honest, I haven't been a great sleeper in years but it's particularly bad over the last week or so.

I'm tired I want to sleep but when I go to bed I can't settle till late then I waken around 4 or 5 am and toss and turn till my alarm at 7am. Then I spend the rest of the day shattered and nursing a headache.

I have good sleep hygiene, have a healthy diet and exercise regularly but right now nothing is working. I know to an extent its stress and being a woman of a certain age doesn't help either but I can't actually do anything about either issue. I hate taking medication but I'm considering sleeping pills!

Anyone got any bright ideas to help?

[BlackIsleGirl]

I'll have a look. Willing to try anything, soooo tired!

[Truex]

Hi... Look into adrenal fatigue... 5htp is natural sleep aid as well as melatonin (low dose) ... magnesium can also help... Be aware that mag can for some cause stomach issues... It does for me... There are 5 types, so look into it really well. Trial and error also. Good luck on your sleep journey🤗

[Bitfit]

I find if I go on my phone before going to bed I have the same issue . I always have a glass of milk and read for a short while I found this helps me

[BlackIsleGirl in reply to Bitfit]

I already avoid my phone as I'm aware that the light is a stimulant. Milk is a no as I'm lactose intolerant but I might try reading again. I stopped it at bed time as I'd get engrossed and find I'd read for too long but worth another try. Thanks x

[Cooper27]

A good tip I was given, is just to get up. If you've been awake for more than 30 mins, your bed is now a stressful place, so you're less likely to get back to sleep if you stay there.

Either go do something else entirely for 5 mins and come back to try again, or set up some blankets on the couch, leave a book out and just let yourself nod off on the couch when tiredness overcomes you again.

Personally I do the couch thing. I read until my eyes get heavy again, but if my brain is still really noisy, I'll then put a calmer podcast on and close my eyes to listen to it. Some nights, that can get me back to sleep within half an hour.

I'm going to have a look at what I eat for dinner too. I've heard theories that too much sugar at night can potentially cause insomnia, as you wake up when you have a blood sugar crash. The last 2 nights I've had insomnia, I realised it was after a pretty carb heavy dinner at about 8.30pm.

[BlackIsleGirl in reply to Cooper27]

That's an interesting idea. Might give it a go. I've never been a sleep on the couch fan but if it works I'll go with it.

The sugars theory is interesting. I keep quite a close eye on my diet so I'll have a look and see if there's any link