Any Techniques for Getting Mom back to Sleep Quickly?

[TreadmillMom]

I have 2 DSs 2 and 4 yrs. DS2 still occasionally wakes at night but I'm in and out of his room in less than 10 minutes but I am unable to get back to sleep immediately and it feels like I'm lying there for a good hour before I drop off and it feels sometimes I'm asleep only 5 minutes when the alarm wakes me up, as a result I am shattered (you know the score).
I've tried to clear my mind as it whirs with 'things to do' lists.
So ladies any tried and tested methods in getting straight back to sleep if disturbed?

I have an ipod with relaxation mp3s on

there are a few here

Rescue Remedy Night is good. It stops your mind racing all over the place. Another thing we do is to put the radio on and listen to the world service. It takes my mind off whtever is bothering me and I usually fall asleep pretty quickly when I'm listening to it.

Have a notepad and pen by your bedside to jot down the "things to do" then you can forget about them. I use various yoga techniques to relax me. A good onee is to clear your mind and relax each part of your body one at a time. SO clench your toes then relax next your lower leg, upper leg, buttocks etc until you have done your whole bady.

I find lying and counting each breath I take soothes me off. It tends to make me breathe a little more slowly, and deeply, and counting each breath in just seems to work.

I never remember getting past about 15.

second the notepad and pen for writing lists.
Also sandwiching my head between two pillows so that completely dark and silent works a treat! (only works obviously if you have a dp who wakes up if dc cry again ...)

I'm the same. By the time I get ds settled again - he and dh are snoring away - and I'm awake for at least an hour. Doesn't help with the rain or wind pounding on the velux windows.
I've got some joy by going to the spare room - which has a comfy bed anyway. But just the 'change of scenery' seems to work for me. Don't know if you have that option?
Plus I like to lie on my tummy and pretend I'm sunbathing!

Not having a snoring partner helps !!

peatbogfaerie, I have been tempted but DH does not wake, in fact he wakes me as well as the kids...snores!
Some nights when I'm woken by one of the DSs AND DH I feel there is a real conspiracy to deny me my sleep and they're all plotting it together!

try and think of things that engage your brain but are away from your life

e.g.

working out the the plot of something like gosford park

deciding whether your would rather shag the alan rickman col brandon or the one in the andrew davies version

imagining what how you would explain celebrity big brother hijack to george eliot

i also do some mental aritmetic

• don't do witch's strategy which is to get ds to sleep by falling asleep in his bed!

Sorry witchandchips, can't remember much of Gosford Park...feel asleep in the cinema .

I think of a subject (ie names of babies I know, plants, anything) and then think of 1 for every letter of the alphabet. Usually get to about "m".

Alternatively, I read a really trashy novel by torch light, always makes me sleepy.

well then, obviously works to beget sleep then!

yes lists, men you've slept with, men you would like to etc.

aw, Treadmill, I have the same (snoring dh), but at least he wakes up (eventually) if someone is crying. My rule is that I'll get up twice in the night, but after that it's head-between-the-pillows time. And then we have the Heathrow planes coming over at 4.25 just to make sure we know we haven't slept all night ...

Sorry, this doesn't help you! Perhaps the Rescue Remedy + sunbathing suggestions might help?!

Pelvic floor exercises!! I say I am going to do 50 really slowly and carefully, usually get to about 20 then I am asleep.