Trouble falling asleep

[Wishingfordream]

I find it very difficult to fall asleep at night. My mind tends to wander and I tend to ruminate over things. My dil suggested trying sleeping pills but I’m just too scared to take that step. Aibu for refusing his suggestion?

Aibu for refusing this suggestion

Would you consider magnesium supplements? They really help me; also obvs no screens and maybe read? If I wake up I listen to a boring audiobook and that helps me get back to sleep

Second magnesium works for me. However a long time ago I was offered sleeping pills and I collected the prescription. But decided to try one more night without as it didn’t matter as I could take the tablets the next night if I didn’t sleep. Slept perfectly that night (so mine was clearly all in my mind and not saying yours is)

What is so special about magnesium
not heard of this

Like to know more about magnesium pls too

I thought magnesium was primarily used for stomach troubles

Yes I just checked on wiki health

@Stardustkid

Here's your earworm for tonight, OP

Try sleep hypnosis. There are a few bits on Spotify and Apple Music. It works for me!

magnesium glycinate is normally the recommended type for sleep. I find it's not as effective as sleeping pills, but does help me relax and fall asleep more quickly, with no concerns about addiction or feeling 'hungover' in the morning. I take 750mg about 20 minutes before I plan to lie down to sleep.

When I had this issue I started listening to 10min meditation video on YouTube and it relaxed me and I fell asleep straight after. I as also using sleep/relaxation music videos so they would play and I fell asleep to them. Woke up at some point of the night abbd turned off my phone.

Interesting advice so dar

I’ll preface this by saying I don’t really have trouble sleeping - but I’ve been doing this for about 25 years so it’s possible that this is why:

I listen to audiobooks or radio comedy. Nothing I haven’t heard before or there would be a reason to stay awake. No, I listen to things like The Good Life, Blackadder, Cabin Pressure and other things I’ve heard hundreds of times. It gives my awake brain something to focus on while not actually listening, somehow. I go to bed looking forward to an episode of a really good comedy show and am fast asleep within 5 minutes. Almost every night.

I've just had a two month course of Zopiclone post surgery and, a month after my last one, I don't feel my sleep is back to normal.

I've tried a couple of non prescription ones and they work pretty well so I'd stick to those.

This is what I do to,get to sleep. I said it on another thread recently and the OP said she had had some success with it. I've been an insomniac for most of my life this technique works most frequently. But not every time.

Warm dark room, get in a comfortable position, try and lie still. Breathe in through your nose and hold the breath for a count of 7. Let the breath go out through your mouth for a count of 5. And just repeat.

I use an app called Sleepiest. It has stories and meditations on it.

The stories are boring enough to send me to sleep but interesting enough to keep my mind from wandering.

I use them also when I wake up in the night.

I've got a sleep mask with Bluetooth earphones in them so I don't disturb DH.

@thorneyislanddoris hmm dubious about these apps my mind still wanders

Cannot recommend sleep stories on the Calm app enough - 30-40 minute stories that are just interesting enough to stop the thoughts swirling but boring enough to not really get engaged. Works for me within 5 minutes, after struggling for months with a wandering mind at night.

@CaliNative how do u switch off completely?

I also listen to audiobooks. Usually asleep within 5 minutes... It can take me weeks to finish a book!

Just really can’t imagine being able to
stop wandering

OP the cognitive shuffle is your friend. Try it.
mysleepbutton.com/support/do-it-yourself-cognitive-shuffle-sdi/#:~:text=First%2C%20get%20yourself%20into%20bed,one%20with%20many%20repeating%20letters.

I completely agree with the sleep meditation app advice. I generally sleep fine but sometimes when I’m stressed about needing enough sleep I’ll use meditation or white noise and deep breathing. The key to stopping your mine from wandering, is up every single time bring it back to centre, focusing on breath and breathing only. It takes a while to train yourself this way but you have to stick to it.

Thanks