I do not want an addictive sleep aide. Anything that helps insomnia for a few days? It is increasing. I don’t need a doctor. I have one.

Chosen Answer:

I have always been a fan of non-medicinal assistance first.
Mild exercise …. or up to the level that you can stand is a way of both relieving stress and naturally tiring out the body. Walks, brisk walks, jogs in the evening will allow time for your system to adjust & let the fatigue set in. I would do sit up’s, leg lifts, some push-ups (LOL). Try to work that part of the body that you store your stress in (shoulders, adomen … etc)

A nice walk …if in a safe area ….. pick a direction and walk for 20 minutes turn around and walk back home. The next time pick another direction and then walk for 25 minutes. I’ve found that when I walk …. small issues don’t seem that important.

Another thing that I would do would if I couldn’t sleep I would like to positively use that time. I would start to organize my thought to write a story, novel, anecdotes or something funny (if I could). I’ve found that running my brain on a different path is relaxing so I’m enjoying myself … until I can fall asleep.

Peace & Sweet Dreams
by: Ronatnyu
on: 14th December 07

I have very bad insomnia, I rarely ever sleep.
I have extremely dark circles under my eyes,
and I am also very pale, so it makes me look
like a drug addict. I always feel dizzy and I am
constantly yawning. Is there anyway to overcome
this without medication. I am already on a
medication and I can’t take many other medications
with it, I get very bad side effects if I do.

Thank you in advance for any advice.

Chosen Answer:

What are you eating in a normal day. Everything your body goes through has somthing to do with what you put into it. Try cutting out as much sugar and obviously caffeine as you can. And try to not eat after a certain time… Most people say 8 PM. Try hot tea like camamile ( I think I spelled that wrong) or green tea with no caffeine.
by:
on: 26th March 11

I have really bad insomnia sometimes. There are some nights when I stay up the entire time, I develop a pounding headache, but just can’t seem to get to sleep. There are also some times when I don’t sleep for 24+ hours. I don’t know how this comes on or how to control it! I don’t like taking medicine unless there is nothing left to do, so I prefer any natural remedy. Any advice?

Chosen Answer:

The only natural remedy is TAKE IT EASY!Maybe you are stressed…Maybe you drink a lot of cup of coffees in a day…Maybe you think much more than useful…It’s useless torture yourself this way…I suggest you to talk with a psychologist…It will be a right way to value yourself and understand why you cannot sleep…And believe me, talking with a specialist is the only natural and non invasive remedy…
by: Caprice-Monica P
on: 22nd May 08

For years I’ve had insomnia. I can’t even remember the last time I fell asleep within an hour.

Chosen Answer:

Ok, here we go… you asked.

I’ve had insomnia for years and my main problem is my mind wont stop thinking. If you are ready to sleep, willing to put forth some effort and give it some time(a couple weeks of this routine and 1-2 hours per night at first), you can sleep without drugs =)

First-Look up sleep hygene and make sure you are following as many of these recommendations as possible like: no caffeine/stimulants, keep the room dark, cool and quiet, turn off your phone, get a loud fan that will drone out other noises, watch what you eat/drink for dinner or late night snacks, make a list of what you need to do tomorrow so you dont stay up thinking about it, stretch, brush teeth, warm shower, etc….

Second-Find a tv show that is slightly entertaining(too much and you will be winding up vs. winding down) and somewhat dull( too dull and you will not stay focused on the show), Fraiser works for me. Record 2-3 episodes for each night or find a second show so you have at least an hour and a half worth of shows to watch and wind down. Do all of your sleep hygene before climbing into bed and starting the show.

Then keep the volume at a low level and stay focused on the show. If your mind wanders, when you notice this, re-direct your attention back to the show. After 30-45 mins, you should start feeling sleepy. This is where it takes effort, do not turn off the tv yet. Instead, turn the volume down a bit, lie down and close your eyes. Make sure you can still hear the show and keep your focus on what they are saying. After 15-20 mins, the volume will become loud to you as you relax more, so turn the volume down a little more. Now keep listening to the show until you start drifting off to sleep. You will probably wake up to the tv after a breif nap and now I can turn off the tv here and fall asleep. You may want to turn the volume down a little more before turning the tv completely off or even be ok with leaving the tv on all night( if the light doesnt bother you). Once you notice that you woke up from being asleep, you can usually fall back asleep easily.

This method takes some practice and focus but it works! It will bring your mind to a relaxing state and also help you stay asleep throughout the night because you wont be physically falling asleep with your mind still being active. Good luck!
by: bustmethods
on: 24th June 08

I know I am depressed. I am pissed off about everything, don’t eat, don’t sleep, and I hate my life. But I refuse to go to take medicine because I like doing things as natural as possible. Is there anything else to help me out of my depression?

Chosen Answer:

I talk to my friends. It’s good when you have someone that you can trust to talk to so you don’t keep everything bottled inside. I used to do that then discovered the hard way that when I try to keep things bottled they have a way of exploding.

Music also helps…find positive music…music that you love some that you can scream along to when you’re just pissed and feel like no one really gives a f’. I like Linkin Park, Incubus, Metallica & Eminem for this. Sometimes it helps to just scream along with who ever is singing and get it out of your system.

I also keep a journal. I write and vent it feels like talking to someone and it helps.

Hope you find the help that you need.

~ Blessings
by: Lucky
on: 2nd January 07

ok i need to get anti-depressants from the doctor, i dont have depression, dont ask why i just need them and i need tips on what to say to get them, so anybody who has depression can you help? bullet points on what to say would be good, thanks! best answer gets ten points, but it has to be accurate and tell me EXACTLY what to say

Chosen Answer:

you sleep alot and have no interest in any of the fun things you used to do. dont say your suicidal. you feel down all the time and there is no reason for it(relashionship problems work problems or and health issues you might have.) leave that stuff out.your friends and family always ask u whats wrong. your quiet and dont feel like talking. dress frumpy when u go 2 the doctor. sweatpants tshirt.you cry sometimes for no reason.you avoid answering the phone and say it was hard for u to even get out of bed to go to the doctors.
by: sweetheart228965
on: 25th April 08

I’m 16, and I have ADD so I have been taking dexedrine for two weeks now. I just switched from 10 mg to 15 mg every morning, and I absolutely cannot sleep at night. Is there a way to cure this drug-induced insomnia without not taking the drug? How harmful is insomnia to my body? I have been awake for more than 60+ hours now.

Thanks in advance!

Chosen Answer:

to help you sleep, warm up some milk and put some honey in it. it relaxes your body so its easier to fall asleep.
insomnia drains your body of useful energy.
by: kiwi
on: 17th September 09

I’ve started taking 6 ibuprofen pills a day (as prescribed by my doctor) and have started having massive insomnia issues ever since. I googled it and found out that long-term use of ibuprofen could cause insomnia, but I’ve only been taking them for less than a week. Could this be related anyway?

Chosen Answer:

Ibuprofen is just a COX blocker. COX doesn’t really have any play in sleep. I am trying to make connections with prostaglandins and stuff further down the line after COX that might stop you from relaxing but I can’t come up with anything. So, to answer your question: I don’t see any conceptual link to insomnia with ibuprofen.
by: ►Noble◄
on: 17th January 10

I’ve read being deficient in some vitamins can sometimes lead to insomnia. If you personally experienced the benefits of taking vitamins on sleep could you tell me a bit about it? (any answers are welcome though) Thanks.

Chosen Answer:

This is not a cure but it helps once in awhile. Make a cup of tea with 2 Sleepytime tea teabags ( you can get it at the store) and about a half cup of catnip. Let it sit for a few hours. Take that with 2 tylenol p.m.’s. you can get it without the tylenol too. It’s called ‘just sleep.’ It will knock you out for hours. Do it when you have time to sleep for about 10 or 12 hours. If you do this once in awhile, it helps.
by: nightmusic
on: 15th December 09

i’m in the uk-i’ve tried all sorts of natural remedies and a couple of self help books but nothing has worked for my life long insomnia.rightly so my doc will only give me meds once or twice a year can anyone suggest anything that has worked for them.

Chosen Answer:

its not really for insomnia so I don’t know how effective these will be but its worth a try. Methods to get to sleep:

1) Close your eyes and imagine your route to work/school, step by step until you get there. If you’re still not sleepy, continue your journey to somewhere else with a route that you find automatic or just turn round and go back home again.

2) This is a Japanese method used for many years. A Japanese man broke his leg one day and the doctor told him that he might never be able to walk on it properly ever again, but gave him this method. Close your eyes, lay down and, bit by bit, send your body to sleep. Just relax them and picture them falling asleep, feel the tension sliding out of them. Start with your toes, relaxing them one by one and then work up to your foot and then calves, thighs, hips, waist, stomach, chest, shoulders, elbows, arms, hands, fingers, neck, head, nose, mouth, cheeks, eyes, ears. The Japanese man’s leg recovered completely after a year of this every night.
by:
on: 30th March 11