What helps you sleep?

[fishhavefeelingstoo]

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

Radio on quietly and very heavy covers.

My DH is a terrible sleeper. He listens to a youtube recording of thunder, lightening and heavy rainfall. It helps him sleep very soundly. Drinking warmed milk. Going to bed early and reading a book. Getting a head massage. Going for a walk and getting exercise.

Ok it sounds weird... but a cold bath before bed really helps me! I read about it helping the body get ready for sleep somewhere in a weekend paper and decided to give it a try. It takes a bit of getting used to.

Something called "Guided Meditation for Sleep Difficulties and Insomnia" by Freebird Meditations on youtube. Never fails even if I am completely wound up. A counsellor suggested I try something like it after she worked out I had had anxiety and insomnia for years.

Thanks for all the tips. I'm now listening to Sleep Sounds app autumn woods, which is lovely, set for 20 mins, before that I'm reading in bed. Ive had to shut the cats out because one insists on sleeping under the duvet between my knees and sticks his claws in me when he's twitching in his sleep 😆 I'm sleeping a bit more although I still wake up constantly but I think that's the menopause.

Magnesium citrate and the shipping forecast before bed.

Yoga before bed. There are plenty of videos on YouTube you can do at home.

I lay out in my hammock and smoke a joint, and read for a bit. DH set up string lights and hanging candle lanterns, and it is under the wisteria and rose bower.
It's like a cozy little nook.
If it's cold I take a blanket or wrap out with me.

I put out my light and switch on a talking book. I wonder if this dates back to when my parents read me to sleep?

Another vote for magnesium here as well, I take it about an hour before I go to bed.

Magnesium and if that still doesn't work Nytol. Not the crap herbal one, the antihistamine one.

I've no garden and wouldn't know where to get weed!

I've just started taking magnesium, does it work straight away or does it build up in your system gradually?

Something else that I sometimes use is This Works Sleep Plus pillow spray. I don't know how effective it is (I think it takes more than a whiff of lavender to knock me out) but there's something quite lovely and relaxing about waking up in the night and being able to smell lavender on your pillow.

Which one are you taking and what's the dose? Mine is Solgar magnesium citrate, it was effective pretty much instantly. I was originally on magnesium oxide for migraines but was advised to switch to citrate.

www.soulcandles.co.uk/collections/our-reed-diffusers/products/relax-rattan-reed-diffuser-100ml?variant=42371679561

Having this reed diffuser next to the bed really helped me.

I have Gower magnesium glycinate, 250mg, someone recommended it to me so thought I'd try it.

That's a good dose and glycinate is one of those I've been recommended. Citrate has a laxative effect, which is why I'm not going to continue it after this bottle is finished, I'm going to switch to glycinate too.

I have been told that citrate is the most easily absorbed form of magnesium so it does make sense that the glycinate might take a little longer. I guess you take it about an hour before you go to bed?

I've been taking it when I get into bed but I've started reading for about half an hour in bed.

One thing that works for me is a hairdryer app.

I appreciate it sounds daft but it really helps me.

I think it's called hairdryers for babies. I lose myself in the lovely sound of the hairdryer and it really works for me. You can set the timer for as long as you think you need.