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Original poster

What helps you sleep?

70 replies

fishhavefeelingstoo · 30/09/2018 00:02

I'm having problems sleeping, probably due to the menopause. What helps you sleep? Any herbal or non addictive otc products that work?

I have lavender essential oil, I don't drink caffeine or alcohol, my room is dark and quiet.

I struggle to get to sleep and to get back to sleep if I wake in the night.

I've just started using Headspace again to get to sleep.

Anything else I can do?

TIA

OP posts:
lljkk · 30/09/2018 09:41

Thinking about work for me. Political podcasts. Brexit & Trump soap operas.

Mostly I just accept I'm a crap sleeper but I can rest even if I can't sleep. 3-4 broken hrs/night not unusual.

WooYa · 30/09/2018 09:59

I listen to Harry Potter on Audible - I don't listen to the story just Stephen Fry. His voice relaxes me for an unknown reason

Original poster
fishhavefeelingstoo · 30/09/2018 10:01

Yes that's about how much sleep I'm getting too. It's driving me insane.

Is it possible to subscribe to podcasts? What app do you use to listen to them? I've just been looking on Spotify but I'm struggling to find relaxing uk ones. It'd be ideal if I had them bookmarked so I don't need to search for ages.

OP posts:

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Menopause Sleep Women's health
bimbobaggins · 30/09/2018 11:40

I have radio 4 on with a sleep timer.
works at night but I always wake up really early and it doesn’t have the same effect

BillywigSting · 30/09/2018 11:46

I watch asmr videos on YouTube, they're not for everyone and you need to do a bit of trial and error to find a couple of asmrtists (the people who make these videos) that suit you.

It works much much better with headphones too.

My favourites are tingting and whispers red.

Onynx · 30/09/2018 22:00

My friend listens to the shipping or sea area forecasts - I tried it- v relaxing!

Helpmemyhairisterrible · 30/09/2018 22:07

Radio 4 and/or the world service all night every night for years. It's my comfort blanket and it's seen me through some dark times. Most nights it's only 20 minutes and then I'm off, but it definitely helps getting back to sleep during the night. AL Kennedy's Subterranean Homesick Blues is on iPlayer just now. Bill Night's voice is the best! He's on the Charles Paris Mysteries again too. I find it helps keep me feeling connected to the rest of the world.

nhssecretary · 30/09/2018 22:09

Phenergan

Stupomax · 30/09/2018 22:14

Diphenhydramine - Benadryl in the US, not sure in the UK (sleepy Piriton?)

Helpmemyhairisterrible · 30/09/2018 22:15

I had phenergan for pregnancy related insomnia, because I was getting demented. It works, but do be careful with it. For me, it worked the whole of the next day too!

Dowser · 30/09/2018 22:24

I have diphenhydramine that I brought back from the us
I don’t use it ...well only in severe cases...as it’s linked to dementia
Melatonin
5htp
Valerian
I’m quite liking Wilkinson’s sleep aid
I make a homeopathic preparation which we all know doesn’t work 😂
I switch things around
Many Bach flower remedies are indicated for sleep problems
Vervain for when you are buzzing with enthusiasm...holiday, wedding, or just lots of ideas
White chestnut ...for unwanted thoughts going around i your head

That sort of thing

Dandybelle · 30/09/2018 22:34

I listen to ASMR videos on YouTube.

MadMaryBoddington · 30/09/2018 22:36

The cat. I need the cat on the bed. If I wake in the night and can’t sleep, I just stroke the cat till the purring makes me nod off again. If she’s buggered off, I have to get up and find her and bring her back to bed, even if that means tramping around the garden in my nightie and wellies in the moonlight. There is nothing more sleep inducing than purring. It is essential.

FissionChips · 30/09/2018 22:43

I play rain sounds via an app

Thatstheendofmytether · 30/09/2018 22:43

I have a bedtime routine. I get all my hpiswork done. Kids ready for bed and their bedtime done. Then I have a ritual, i have to have a bath, brush my teeth and my hair, do the toilet, pit face cream on, jammies on, cream on my feet and hands while in bed. I do this every single night. In a certain order. If I struggle to go to sleep I do a muscle tensing exercise my aunt taught me years ago which works a treat. Otherwise reading MN or a book until my eyes start closing does the trick.

user1483451142 · 30/09/2018 22:57

Andrew Johnson's Sleep App. Works 99.99% of the time for me. I' ve rarely have heard the end of it.

AdoreTheBeach · 01/10/2018 03:41

I had similar. I received a prescription for melatonin. Feeling so much better after sleeping so well now. Except I seem to have a hot flush every night @3 am. If I can be strong and not pick up my mobile to look at mumsnet, usually I fall back asleep after it’s over (going to try the peppermint essential oil tip).

tentative3 · 01/10/2018 08:17

Physical exercise (during the day) and white noise. Unfortunately at the moment I'm on two white noise sources at the same time, going through a bad patch. I use a fan sound and rain sounds.

serbska · 01/10/2018 08:26

Exercise during the day so I am physically tired.

Doing something with my brain during the day so mentally a bit tied (at the weekend, work does this in the week!).

Hot relaxing shower before bed.

Listen to an audio book on a sleep timer. Can’t listen to anything new or exciting, has to be an easy book (something in a series) or a book I’ve heard before.

serbska · 01/10/2018 08:28

Also I agree with @MadMaryBoddington that a purring cat helps. Apparently the sound waves of a purring cat are at the right level to relive stress and relax humans.

HeronLanyon · 01/10/2018 08:35

I have slept poorly for several years. I have found listening to podcasts useful. I also use a white noise machine (down low). Both help but I have still not slept well. I THINK I may just have cracked it last night and had the best sleep for years. I am a snorer. I’ve been told it is remarkably loud but only happens when I turn and sleep in my back (I always go to sleep on my side and am unaware of sleeping on my back). Last night I slept with a pillow at my back to keep me on my side. May be coincidence but I have slept like a baby ( well a baby who sleeps well). Might be helpful ??

EyeRolls · 01/10/2018 09:00

Orgasms? They really do help to release stress / tension and can wear you out too..

Lunaballoon · 01/10/2018 09:03

HRT fixed my menopausal sleep problems.

llangennith · 01/10/2018 09:20

Listening to certain books on Audible and setting its sleep timer function for 8 or 15 minutes. ' Love Nina' is good as it's easy listening and read in a calm voice.

ToadOfSadness · 01/10/2018 09:25

Hot milk in bed, maybe with biscuits, and watching catchup TV until my eyes close. Bath helps too and fresh air, widows open during the day and closed at night due to noise. Nothing smelly, if there is something around with perfume on I have to take it out of the room, like new clothes that always seem to have been sprayed with something nasty. Smells keep me awake.