Tired of Suffering From Insomnia? 5 Tricks to Help.

Being treated for breast cancer is no joke, y’all. While the docs are trying to save your life, some of the drug side effects can try your last sleep-deprived nerve.

OMT is suffering from insomnia! If I’m suffering, I’m researching. I needed help and maybe you do too.

Let’s see if any of these solutions can get us facetime with The Sandman.

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5 Tricks to Help Insomnia

#1: Melatonin

 

(source: Amazon)

When I first started having trouble sleeping, my oncologist suggested melatonin, at the 5mg dose. I have seen studies and read articles suggesting folks start at 1mg and work their way up to find the best dosage. When I spoke with my doctor’s office, this is what they advised:

1mg = pediatric dose

3-5mg= adult dose that can be taken every third or 4th day until your body gets a kickstart.

10mg = take sporadically and only when sleep is truly illusive.

I take the 5mg and it puts me out like a light within 30 minutes.

Web MD advises this is how it works: It causes drowsiness, lowers body temperature, and puts the body into sleep mode.

#2: SleepyTime Tea

I am not a nighttime tea drinker. I like my tea sweet and ice cold, neither of which would induce sleep.

What’s a Choochie to do?

She’s to buy SleepyTime tea and try it, dadgumit. Which I did, with limited results.

Many folks recommended this tea to me, swearing it worked for them. It did make me tired and made me feel warm and fuzzy, but it failed to put me to sleep.

I was thisclose, I could see The Sandman’s bag o’sand, but alas, it was a no-go. Yet, it works for folks I trust, so it’s worth a try if you’re struggling with insomnia.

#3: Epsom Salt Bath

 

(source: Amazon)

Say what? I am a HUGE Epsom salt bath convert for sore muscles, because your body’s magnesium levels diminish greatly when dehydrated, which can cause muscles to spasm.

But, what about magnesium and insomnia?

Web MD: Magnesium apparently plays a key role with sleep. Research has shown that even a marginal lack of it can prevent the brain from settling down at night.

So how does Epsom salt help? Epsom salt is an easy and efficient way to deliver usable magnesium to your body!

Draw a warm bath, throw in a cup or two of Epsom salts and soak for 15 minutes. You should be relaxed and ready for some zzzzzs.

CAVEAT #1: My research has led me to believe that you should limit your soaks to three times a week and no more than 15 minutes a pop.  Also, if you have any kidney disease or are taking any prescribed medications, you should check with your doc before using.

CAVEAT #2: I’m not even close to a doctor, so do not take any of this post as medical advice. It’s simply what is working for me and based on my experiences.

#4: Lavender Oil

This is one method that I haven’t tried, but was offered so often as a solution from others in the know. You gotta listen when the same solution keeps popping up, right?

Lavender oil can be utilized on your wrist, or in a diffuser or as a spray on your pillow. You can add it to a warm bath as well. Even to your Epsom salt bath. Easy!

So, why haven’t I tried it? I’m a gal who is scent-averse. I’m not only allergic to many scents, but I simply don’t like most scented things. I am going to try lavender as a last resort, because sleep deprivation is a hazard and I’m at the point where I’ll try just about anything.

Lavender works by calming. I don’t need so much calming, as I need sleeping.

#5: Darken your room

This one I abide by with no exceptions. There are no alarm clock lights, no night lights, no phones that aren’t turned on their face…NO LIGHTS!

Why the vampire-like insistence? A Harvard study concluded that even dim light can interfere with a person’s circadian rhythm and melatonin secretion.

There’s that melatonin link again. We live in a complicated world that offers us bright lights and entertainment 24/7 and it’s messing with our natural rhythms.

Darkening your room is the easiest solution to try for insomnia. Turn off all the lamps, then start purging non-essential light sources.

There are a few other things I do to try and get a good night’s sleep. I use 100% cotton sheets and keep a few fans going for white noise and aiding in cooling. The television stays out of the bedroom and I try to go to bed and rise around the same times every day. Except weekends, when I have been known to sleep in past the brunch hour.

WHAT? Being me can get exhausting!

If you’re suffering from sleep issues, why not give one or more of these a try? I’ve been advised that if insomnia lasts more than a few weeks that it’s best to speak with your doc.

Important Key to Remember: Again, I’m not even close to a doctor, so do not take any of this post as medical advice. It’s simply what is working for me and based on my experiences.

Happy sleeping, my babies.

 

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