Can't Sleep - Rush City,MN

I had insomnia before my kids, now i have 3 kids under 5... so sleep is a rare occurrence for me. I know my attitude suffers. I dont have much to offer, the only thing I can do is play a movie I hate... make sure its boring... I go to sleep almost every time. Medication makes me too dull and not alert enough. My husband sleeps like the dead and he would never be able to wake if there was an emergency with the kids. So I nap when I can get it.

Count your breathes. Works like a dream! (ha)

ONE on the inhale
TWO on the exhale
one....
two....

Wait a sec- My original answer didn't address the underlying cause here. Did you just say that you're about to buy a HOUSE with someone you're NOT MARRIED TO? Are you NUTS???!! No wonder you can't sleep!

Of course I know nothing about how much in love you both are...but legally, this can end up being a real mess if you decide to split one day. (I've had friends who've deeply regretted the decision to buy a house w/ a boyfriend.) And boy, it's easy to split up with someone you're not married to. So either get married --or at least see a good financial adviser--and then maybe you'll be able to sleep at night!

Here's my original answer:

Are you eating enough protein during the day? Most women don't eat enough protein. Also, many women who want to lose weight are on a low-fat/low-protein diet, which actually doesn't work (if you don't have enough healthy fat in your diet, you end up craving carbs, which is what puts on the weight) but that's another story.

In any case, most women don't eat enough protein. Protein helps you sleep. Especially grass-fed, organic meat.

A hour before bed, eat a snack that involves protein. Apples and a couple tablespoons of peanut butter pretty much are my "sleeping pill."

If worry is keeping you up, keep a tablet and pen next to the bed. Write down your worry list and know that you'll get to it in the morning.

I have the same problem and I also can't figure it out. I've been going through this for several months now. I can go a couple of weeks sleeping like a baby, then for a couple of weeks, I have a hard time sleeping. I have taken melatonin (10 mg) and it does help MOST of the time. I also take UniSom. I have taken as many as 2 Uni-Som and 3 10 mg. melatonin and still no sleep! I have no idea what's up. I do not turn on the TV though, because I like it dark and quiet. Just last night I took two Uni-som and still didn't get to sleep before 1:00 and then awake again at 5:30!

Anyway, try the melatonin. Like I said, I take 10 mg. Other people on here are talking about 3 mg and 5 mg. - that's just a waste of time for me.

Good luck and if you find something that works, let me know!

Here are some things that have worked for me, as I've struggled with sleep issues in the past:

It's just as important for adults to have a bedtime routine as kids - avoid TV, computer, etc. for at least a half hour before bed - reading is a great activity to settle yourself down. You may also find a nice warm bath or shower will help as well. Also, try to avoid eating at least 2 hours before you plan to go to bed, and no caffeinated beverages after 3 or 4 in the afternoon.

If you find yourself tossing and turning for more than a half hour, get up and try the couch or another environment. You may find that a change in scenery will let you drift off - if you awake, then go back to your bed. If you are unable to "turn off your brain", as silly as it seems, count the sheep - you don't have to visualize them really, just breathe in and out slowly, and as you exhale, count (I find it a little better to count backwards from 100 - a little more engaging to get my mind off of the things I've been thinking about).

Best of luck! I know how frustrating it is to not sleep!

It could be due to stress about the house buying even if you don't think
you are.
Turn off computers & TV half hour before bedtime.
Limit any alcohol intake if you hae any.
I have taken Melatonin (from the herbal store) when I have had bouts of
insomnia brought on by stress but it can wear off in the middle of your sleep & you could awake at 4am..
For me, it was better than not sleeping at all. So I would take it at 10:30pm if I was to go to bed at 11pm.

They say to dim the lights at least one hour before bed time. The other thing I do (chronic insomniac), is if I'm wired, I'll take just a quarter of a tablet of an antihistamine (like Benedryl or Chortrimeton) about 1/2 hour before bed time and it's just enough to put me to sleep. Antihistamines are very safe and it works for me. Many times I wake up in the middle of the night and can't go back to sleep...so I do the same thing (take 1/4 tablet)