What do you do when you can't sleep?

[MeadowHay]

I've been trying to sleep on and off for almost 3hrs now. I look awful, you should see my eyes! This isn't that unusual for me though unfortunately, I often struggle with sleep for no apparent reason. So far I've tried intermittent periods of laying in bed, reading, having DH read to me, sitting quietly with a cup of herbal tea, did a facial skincare routine that I decided I was too tired to do when I initially wanted to go to bed, lavender moisturiser, Mumsnet (I have a blue light blocker thingy), put laundry away, did some tidying up...still awake. I will be lucky to get 5hrs sleep tonight possibly less depending on how long this goes on/when DD wakes in the morning/whether she wakes in the night etc. I know I will feel and look awful tomorrow

What do you do when you can't sleep?

I’m so sick of not getting a night’s sleep. It’s relentless. I usually read, but that’s losing its appeal rapidly. I just want a quiet mind and the ability to sleep.

This has started with me recently. For a few months, on and off, I was using a herbal supplement. But it now use a otc sleep aid, but I don't want to rely on it long term.

If I don't take anything I get the first three hours of deep sleep, the bam - wide awake for 3 hours and fitful 90 minutes sleep after that. I thought the DC going back to school would put a routine back in place. But no.

I limit caffeine - non after midday, lots of fresh air, gardening, swimming, yoga, mental exercision with studying, and going to work. But still at 3am I wide a-bloody- awake.

I'm wondering if its the peri-menopause tbh and a dip in estrogen maybe.

Is Nytol the one that actually has an antihistamine or something in it or just herbal things? I've tried the herbal sleeping tablets of various types and none have worked. I keep forgetting to buy some chlorphenamine because that makes me drowsy which is why I don't take it as an antihistamine but it might help me sleep when I get stuck. I have a very small supply of diazepam which I sometimes use to recover the night after a night like last night so that's my plan tonight. Will take it about 9pm probably and then bed before 10 and should have a much better night tonight.

I've started using the Cbd oil gummies.One helps me nod off.

MeadowHay

Anything with Valerian in is the herbal one.

The OTC antihistamine one will have diphenhydromine in. Don't know if its in the Nytol one as I've used the pharmacy own brand one.

I had some strong painkillers for period pain that would knock me out (though ruin my digestion!) but as my period hasn't rocked up I'm loathed to take them. Yet.