I *may* have fixed my insomnia

[MrsBloatymcbloatface]

I'm hoping this doesn't jinx it, but I wanted to share in case it might help someone who is struggling.

For the past year, I have been dealing with terrible insomnia. I think it is hormonal/ peri-menopause related (even though I am on the pill) as it seemed to happen around the same time every month. But then over the last couple months it seemed to be every day. I was a mess and relying on melatonin or antihistamines to get any sleep.

A few weeks ago, I made a couple of changes that seem to be working. First of all, I changed to magnesium glycinate. I have been taking magnesium for years, but apparently it was the wrong kind! I've mostly taken magnesium citrate in the past and then bought some magnesium oxide in November and it's worth noting, that seems to be when my sleep got really bad.

It would seem most of the research about magnesium helping with sleep have been done with magnesium glycinate. So if you are struggling with insomnia it would definitely be worth a try.

The other thing I have tried is getting morning light exposure. This helps to set our circadian rhythm. I first heard about this in Dr Chatterjee's book The Four Pillars and then listened to his podcast with Dr Huberman https://drchatterjee.com/bitesize-do-this-every-morning-to-boost-your-energy-and-improve-your-sleep-dr-andrew-huberman/

I started doing this around the same time I switched magnesium, so I can't know for sure how much it's helping. But I now really enjoy it and definitely feel more energised. I leave my coat by the back door and take my coffee outside as soon as it's light. Even on a cloudy, miserable day, it's really important to get that light exposure as early as possible. I really recommend listening to that podcast to understand the science behind it.

Since I made these changes, I have been able to fall asleep quickly and it's bliss. I have had a few nights where I have woken up at 3 or 4am and it has take me a while to get back to sleep. So I have also started taking inositol (another Huberman recommendation) and that seems to have helped me stay asleep.

Anyway, I hope this helps someone!

[FUBAR77]

I’ve been taking MG - and it’s amazing. Don’t suffer with insomnia but it does take me an hour each night to go to sleep, I sleep like a baby now!

[itsjustturbulance]

This is good to know! Does it make you sleepy? My insomnia is more so trying to fall asleep in the first place as I just don't get tired so I'd be interested in trying these

[MrsBloatymcbloatface]

@itsjustturbulance

This is good to know! Does it make you sleepy? My insomnia is more so trying to fall asleep in the first place as I just don't get tired so I'd be interested in trying these

Yes, it does. That was my trouble too, although I would feel tired, I couldn’t drift off or would start to drift off and then jolt awake.

Now I read a little until my eyes feel heavy and then just roll over and go to sleep. I just hope it continues!

[Pearl001]

@MrsBloatymcbloatface

Yes, it does. That was my trouble too, although I would feel tired, I couldn’t drift off or would start to drift off and then jolt awake.

Now I read a little until my eyes feel heavy and then just roll over and go to sleep. I just hope it continues!

This is amazing, thank you for sharing! May I ask you how long did it take you to improve your sleep with the new regime? X

[NearlyBritishSummertimeYay]

I hope it continues to work for you! Insomnia sucks!!

[Ohyoudodoyou]

Thank you I've just ordered some magnesium glycinate from Superdrug.
I stand outside the morning when Let the dog out, I'll do it longer now it's warmer!

[MrsBloatymcbloatface]

@Pearl001 I think it took about a week. Good luck if you're trying it! x

Thank you @NearlyBritishSummertimeYay! I'm still sleeping well! I've had a couple bad nights here and there, but have managed to get through with half a melatonin.

@Ohyoudodoyou I hope it works for you!!

[Pearl001]

@MrsBloatymcbloatface

@Pearl001 I think it took about a week. Good luck if you're trying it! x

Thank you @NearlyBritishSummertimeYay! I'm still sleeping well! I've had a couple bad nights here and there, but have managed to get through with half a melatonin.

@Ohyoudodoyou I hope it works for you!!

Thanks for letting me know. May I also ask you how much magnesium are you taking? Xx

[Brightandbubly]

Glad to hear thank you for sharing

[lljkk]

I tried several types of Mg for months: no effect
Getting outside at 1st light tends to be easy if you keep waking up at 4:30am.

Genuinely am happy for people who do find solutions, though

[MrsBloatymcbloatface]

@Pearl001

Thanks for letting me know. May I also ask you how much magnesium are you taking? Xx

I'm taking 500mg xx

[MrsBloatymcbloatface]

Sorry @lljkk the other kinds of magnesium I've tried didn't help me either. I hope you can find something.