My Insomnia

[Libra]

Not sure if this should go here or whether the Sleep thread is just for babies (?)
Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had any natural remedies for insomnia.
I have been waking up at 1.30 every morning for the past 6 months and then usually don't get back to sleep until about 5. I feel completely awake and my head churns with information. I pre-write emails, run entire meetings, hold phone conversations - last night I even ran through the basics of a conference article and then pre-wrote this post! I can't seem to switch off. If I try to think of a story or a film or something, I end up basically running through the entire plot.
I don't want to have to use sleeping pills or anything like that, but this can't go on. In the mornings I am exhausted, probably shouldn't be driving, and am ratty with everyone.
Does anyone have any useful ideas on how to get me to sleep? (Apologies in advance to everyone else on the Sleep thread who are all desperate to sleep but have babies keeping them awake).

i'm similar and so can sympathise completely, sorrry to hear you're hacing such a horrible time.
I've found most natural remedies useless as they help you fall asleepnot stay asleep (my problem too). It's likely to be anxiety that's waking you up - is in my case - so maybe it's this you should deal with. Can you work less, ensure you do enough exercise, take up yoga etc etc? Sorry, all obvious stuff (none of which, current;y, am I doing myself ). It has helped me though when I've been consistent. Also taking fish oils?

Thanks. DH thinks it's anxiety too, but honestly, I don't think I am anxious at the moment. I'm probably at one of the calmer points of my life at the moment - I started research leave from my university so I am not teaching or doing admin this year, just working at home on a project I really enjoy. Am able to take a bit of time out with the children as well. What's to be anxious about.
Fish oils? Do you think they would help? We eat quite a lot of fish here anyway.

well, tbh, I think long-term insomnia is deep-rooted.

Ah well. I have always said that it's the tension that holds me together...

I really know what you mean!

Me tooQ!!! Can get to sleep ok, then a couple of hours later I'm awake and that's it. Surviving on about 2-3 hours a night is not good. I'm actually going to go and get some ear plugs today incase it's the kids squeaky bed that's waking me - I know it's that that keeps me awake once my eyes are open. A friend recommends valerian - from the health food shop - but as already mentioned it helps you go off to sleep but not to keep you asleep.

I don't think that it's a noise or anything that wakes me up. I think that I am now programmed to wake up at 1.30 every night and so just do. I've tried going to bed earlier or later but that doesn't help.
The one thing that has helped in the past is actually moving beds. If I get up and make up the sofa bed in another room then I sometimes can get in there and fall asleep. But it's not guaranteed and it's not exactly a great bed either. Also, my wandering around the house can wake others (v. noisy sofa bed).

Do you get any exercise - other than looking after kids etc. I mean some cardiovascular excerise, power walking, cycling etc to burn off some of that extra energy?

Well I am trying to take a brisk walk every day at the moment, but I would admit to not being the exercise type.
There aren't many facilities around here like gyms or swimming pools so I tend not to do things like that. And I'm basically lazy of course, hence the obsession with sleep.