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kimbutgar

(24,646 posts)
Sun Mar 30, 2025, 10:39 AM Sunday

Anybody have a good tips about getting a good nights sleep ?

It seems since the national nightmare occurred I have trouble sleeping. I have taken some prescribed meds Atarax but it dries out my nose and eyes. I’ve done otc sleep aids and gummies. Also inhaling in 7 and exhaling 8.
I don’t look at my iPad after 7:00 pm and turn off the tv and read a little before turning in for the night.

But if anyone has any good tips please pass on!

23 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Anybody have a good tips about getting a good nights sleep ? (Original Post) kimbutgar Sunday OP
Melatonin is fine but I avoid diphenhydramine Shermann Sunday #1
Choline / inositol, B-50 & magnesium SheltieLover Sunday #2
Yes, I take magnesium glycinate evey day. I had a bad case of insomnia and that did the trick. Butterflylady Sunday #11
A few humble suggestions no_hypocrisy Sunday #3
I had posted about sleep here a couple of years ago mdmc Sunday #4
check it out check it in let me begin mdmc Sunday #5
Thanks I will check out the suggestions there also! kimbutgar Sunday #8
Unless you are eaten by your kid's pet bearded dragon. Ocelot II Sunday #7
I wish I knew MichMan Sunday #6
Look up EFT or tapping imaginary girl Sunday #9
I find a white noise generator very helpful. It masks those sounds in the night that draw your attention. Midnight Writer Sunday #10
Magnesium 1/2 hour before bedtime. It relaxes muscles and helps achieve deeper sleep. 58Sunliner Sunday #12
Mirtazipine. Works wonders. OLDMDDEM Sunday #13
Read some lighthearted fiction in bed, turn out the Ilsa Sunday #14
What would you suggest? Zackzzzz Sunday #16
My next book will probably be Ilsa Sunday #23
I listen to a sleep-inducing podcast over headphones. femmedem Sunday #15
Yes! I listen to Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris. Phoenix61 Sunday #18
Thanks! I'll have to check it out. n/t femmedem Sunday #22
Marconi Union 'Weightless' Zackzzzz Sunday #17
Giving your brain something to do works very well. Phoenix61 Sunday #19
I learned this in the military as part of stress management LogDog75 Sunday #20
I do the whole body relax but I go from bottom to top. I tell my self "my feet are calm, my feet are relaxed my feet are mitch96 Sunday #21

Shermann

(8,891 posts)
1. Melatonin is fine but I avoid diphenhydramine
Sun Mar 30, 2025, 10:46 AM
Sunday

That can cause a paradoxical effect which isn't good.

Exercise works well for me, also avoiding caffeine after noon.

SheltieLover

(65,626 posts)
2. Choline / inositol, B-50 & magnesium
Sun Mar 30, 2025, 10:46 AM
Sunday

Be careful to take magnesium 2 hrs before or after any meds as it can inhibit uptake. Also, magnesium is best taken with calcium.

Someone else suggested to me & has made a big improvement.

Do your own research on these / talk to healthcare provider, but these worked for me.

Butterflylady

(4,332 posts)
11. Yes, I take magnesium glycinate evey day. I had a bad case of insomnia and that did the trick.
Sun Mar 30, 2025, 11:06 AM
Sunday

no_hypocrisy

(50,904 posts)
3. A few humble suggestions
Sun Mar 30, 2025, 10:46 AM
Sunday

1. Lavender. Either the flowers or something scented.
2. Tilo (Linden Flower Tea) a/k/a Cuban Valium. The tea tastes like straw, but you'll be running for the mattress before you finish a cup.
3. CBD. I take a capsule periodically due to nocturia. No side effects.
4. Valerian. Plant supplement. Smells like old, dirty socks. But take it, don't smell it. It works.

mdmc

(29,341 posts)
4. I had posted about sleep here a couple of years ago
Sun Mar 30, 2025, 10:47 AM
Sunday

Someone replied that rubbing your feet together like a cricket helps people sleep better..

MichMan

(14,642 posts)
6. I wish I knew
Sun Mar 30, 2025, 10:51 AM
Sunday

Retired a few years ago and friend were telling me how much better I would sleep. I can stay up as late as I want and sleep in if I feel like it. Wrong !

I have three rescue dogs. I stay up till at least 2 AM most nights, but they still get me up at 5 every morning to go out and get fed. I'm lucky if I ever get more than 5 hours. Wouldn't trade them for anything though

Midnight Writer

(23,598 posts)
10. I find a white noise generator very helpful. It masks those sounds in the night that draw your attention.
Sun Mar 30, 2025, 10:58 AM
Sunday

I got a tiny unit with 36 sounds for about $20. Cheap-feeling thing, but it works a charm and is small and portable for travel.

Most of the sounds would bother me more than help, but it does have some nice, soothing static-type sounds, like low speed fan, that really help me.

58Sunliner

(5,524 posts)
12. Magnesium 1/2 hour before bedtime. It relaxes muscles and helps achieve deeper sleep.
Sun Mar 30, 2025, 11:06 AM
Sunday

I just started taking low doses of creatine, which helps me have more energy and better recovery for daily activities, and may also be helping my sleep as I am more active during the day.

Ilsa

(62,647 posts)
14. Read some lighthearted fiction in bed, turn out the
Sun Mar 30, 2025, 11:30 AM
Sunday

lights, and sleep. Make it something silly and fun, but decently written. It's helped me not dream about our long national nightmare.

Ilsa

(62,647 posts)
23. My next book will probably be
Sun Mar 30, 2025, 07:24 PM
Sunday
Walking Home: Common Sense and Other Misadventures on the Pacific Crest Trail, which is nonfiction (I think) but looks like fun for me. I like mysteries, adventures, etc.

Another favorite of mine was A Discovery of Witches, which has genetics, history, and supernatural elements. Since it falls under fiction, I don't have to strain my brain over the science.

Patricia Cornwell's two stand-alone novels, Quantum and Spin.

Think of things you enjoy, and try to find a story set in it. My likes are all over, like True Blood, but that's pretty intense all around.

Good luck.

femmedem

(8,500 posts)
15. I listen to a sleep-inducing podcast over headphones.
Sun Mar 30, 2025, 12:27 PM
Sunday

I have a few that I listen to, but my favorite is Get Sleepy, especially if Thomas Jones is the narrator. I find his voice calming. He starts with a few minutes of a meditative introduction, then eases into a story.

The theory behind sleep podcasts is that they give your brain something to do other than ruminate over anything anxiety-producing while not being so thrilling that you can't doze off.

My headphones are actually a stretchy sleep mask/headband with the speakers inside.

Phoenix61

(18,220 posts)
18. Yes! I listen to Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris.
Sun Mar 30, 2025, 01:28 PM
Sunday

I have no idea why I like it so much but I do. I rarely make it to the end.

Phoenix61

(18,220 posts)
19. Giving your brain something to do works very well.
Sun Mar 30, 2025, 01:30 PM
Sunday

There’s a free pod cast, nothingmuchhappens.com that is very good.

LogDog75

(368 posts)
20. I learned this in the military as part of stress management
Sun Mar 30, 2025, 03:21 PM
Sunday

You need to relax your body before you go to sleep. To do this, follow these instructions:

Get into bed and have all lights and distractions off.

Tell you body to relax first by relaxing your face muscles. You should be able to feel your face muscles sag. Do it again and again until you can't relax your face anymore.

Once your face muscles are relaxed, move down to your neck and relax your neck muscles the same as you did with your face.

Continue doing this with your arms, chest, abdomen, legs, ankles, and feet.

Once everything is relaxed, you'll fall asleep fast and have a good rest.

What can I say, it works for me.

mitch96

(15,078 posts)
21. I do the whole body relax but I go from bottom to top. I tell my self "my feet are calm, my feet are relaxed my feet are
Sun Mar 30, 2025, 03:50 PM
Sunday

heavy. Next lower legs then thighs, butt, abdomen, chest, back, shoulders, neck and then head.
After that I do what is called the 4-7-8 breathing. It relaxes the vagus nerve that runs from the gut to the base fo the brain..
Breath in quickly and completely for 4 seconds.. Hold for 7 seconds and then blow out thru pursed lips for
the count of 8. Breath and then repeat.. I do it 3 rounds and I'm out...Works for me!!
m



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