Help me sleep!

[mindimplode]

I find it more difficult to get to sleep at night. Nothing has changed in my lifestyle - work, diet etc. Yet it takes me at least an hour to drop off. I don't want to start using drugs as I fear I may become dependant on them. Any suggestions?

[Ouisch]

Avoid caffeine - including cola drinks, coffee and tea - for a few hours before retiring. Perhaps putting on some soothing music when you go to bed might help to relax your mind and body...?

[mindimplode]

Cheers Ouisch! I think you might have hit the nail on the head there - I constantly drink coke when I'm at work (usually evenings) and so go to bed pretty much straight off the back of a sugar/caffeine rush. Maybe i'll stick to OJ!

[stoo_pid]

I know this might sound a bit lame but it always works for me - when I can't get to sleep I simply count backwards from 500. If I pause too long or get a number wrong I start from 500 again. I find that the rhythmic counting & focussing on this little task helps me to put anything that might be bothering me out of my mind. I've never counted down to 1 yet & usually I'm dead to the world before I reach 400. (Not sure if it would counteract the effects of coffee or red bull tho!)

[hazi1880]

eat a lettuce sandwich! apperantly theres some chemical in lettuce that helps sleep, you might get dependant on lettuce though.

[Cymbeline]

Since we're revealing weird methods...I always find I drop off if I try to think exactly what I was doing every hour on the hour of that day. Starting at twelve midnight and working forwards. I know it sounds weird but it relaxes me as well as lets me know if I've had a productive day or whether I've spent far too much time watching tele!!

[smudge]

To add to the good advice already given - I listen to one of my spoken word story tapes & I'm usually in the land of nod before I get to the end! Good luck.

[smudge]

My husband bought me a bottle of Holland & Barrett Lavender Pure Essential Oil which also helps. A few drops on my pillow & zzzzzz!

[peterd]

Try listening to James Blunt that may do the trick if all the above fail

[Sparkles3]

I swear by deep breathing, saying 'Relax' (in the mind, not out loud obviously!) - so thinking Re on the in breath and lax on the out breath. You sometimes need to refocus your mind on it - but provided you keep yourself focused on the 'relax', it clears your mind of the other clutter that stops you sleeping.

Sweet dreams!

[jay139]

Drinking orange juice is meant to be beneficial before going to bed

[Noweia]

Try having a constant routine just before you go to bed, and go to bed at the same time each night. As Ouisch says, avoid anything with caffeine in it as this is a stimulant and will keep you awake!

[*ALFIE*]

I find the best way to get a good night sleep is a warm cup of milk or Horlicks or take a good shower all before bed.

[*ALFIE*]

just masturbate in bed for while (!)