To ask how can I stop lying awake at 3am?

[florriepeck]

I fall asleep straightaway, but wake up in the early hours, and often can't get back to sleep for long before my alarm goes off for work.
Off shopping in Boots tomorrow, and wondered if anyone could recommend a remedy to try.
Been looking at valerian, also antihistamines.
Already trying other things,eg yoga for stress relief, warm baths, no caffeine later in the day, etc.

I have the same problem. I have had mild-moderate insomnia all my life and I seem to have short periods where it’s worst and then I can be fine for weeks. I can have trouble getting to sleep or waking up on the night and then not nodding off again.

These things have helped me:

• exercise to tire myself out
• having a routine
• not being in my phone in the half hour or more before I go to sleep
• listening to an audiobook
• I used to take calls sleep and valerian but not sure how much it actually worked
• yoga helps me relax and have a calmer mind
• ASMR! have you tried it? I suggest watching some videos on YouTube to see if it works for you

More importantly, what is a dowdow??

There’s a body lotion at Lush called Sleepy which people rave about. I like it. Again not sure it helped me sleep.

I've been suffering with this for years, I put an ear phone in and listen to something on Netflix, then I drift off. I also got a job that involves starting at 5am so at least my insomnia is helping me to earn some money 😩

I have a pillow with a speaker in it that I use to listen to podcasts (the Sleep With Me one a PP mentioned, or anything with people talking where they aren't too exciting!). It's been a revelation and means that I'm either listening to something interesting so I feel relaxed even if I don't go straight back to sleep, or I drift off again without disturbing my husband.

Try thinking of nice things you would like to do, even if the reality is you're not likely to be doing them anytime soon. If that doesn't work try to completely empty your head of everything, except gently telling yourself to sleep. Failing that, if you can do something to save time the next day (if you can make up the time needed for more sleep afterwards) that sometimes helps.