bed time worries
"Take drie rose leaves keep them in a glasse which will keep them sweet and then take powder of mynte, powder of cloves in a grosse powder, and putte the same to the Rose leves thanne putte all these together in a bagge and Take that to bedded with you and it wyll cause you to sleepe and it is goode to smelle unto at other tymes". -- Ram's Little Dodoen, 1606
sometimes when I wake in the morning I swear that I have not been asleep. I 'do' all the right things - no computer after 8pm - meditation - nice warm bath - no caffeine - lavender on the pillow * then why, oh why do I toss and turn? this is not rapid eye movement sleep, this is rapid tossing and turning sleep - the kind of sleep that every little sound goes right throught that tired brain - you are sure the wind outside is gale force, the possum on the tin roof sounds like a colony has just moved in and the train going past sounds like it is right near your bed doing a little bypass trip through the door and out the other one! And you wake up a 'grumpy old woman' with no time at all for your 16year old's princess ways and the 'partner for life' isn't looking like he is going to be here for much longer - and I am wretched - after searching the net, I have found that there is no patron saint for the sleepless nights nor for insomniacs!! that dear friends of mine, is why I am off today to make myself many sleep pillows and to research some more on the sleep depraved (or is that deprived?)
herbs to induce sleep: catnip, chamomile, hops, lavender, lemon balm, rose petals.
I like to sew a vintage hanky in half, leaving a short end open. Fill with a mixture of any of the above herbs and sew the opening shut. Keep under your pillow or tucked into the pillow case.
and if you are really into alternative things, a tumbled howlite crystal slipped in as well can help with insomnia.
I guess when you are sleep depraved you will try anything!
sometimes when I wake in the morning I swear that I have not been asleep. I 'do' all the right things - no computer after 8pm - meditation - nice warm bath - no caffeine - lavender on the pillow * then why, oh why do I toss and turn? this is not rapid eye movement sleep, this is rapid tossing and turning sleep - the kind of sleep that every little sound goes right throught that tired brain - you are sure the wind outside is gale force, the possum on the tin roof sounds like a colony has just moved in and the train going past sounds like it is right near your bed doing a little bypass trip through the door and out the other one! And you wake up a 'grumpy old woman' with no time at all for your 16year old's princess ways and the 'partner for life' isn't looking like he is going to be here for much longer - and I am wretched - after searching the net, I have found that there is no patron saint for the sleepless nights nor for insomniacs!! that dear friends of mine, is why I am off today to make myself many sleep pillows and to research some more on the sleep depraved (or is that deprived?)
herbs to induce sleep: catnip, chamomile, hops, lavender, lemon balm, rose petals.
I like to sew a vintage hanky in half, leaving a short end open. Fill with a mixture of any of the above herbs and sew the opening shut. Keep under your pillow or tucked into the pillow case.
and if you are really into alternative things, a tumbled howlite crystal slipped in as well can help with insomnia.
I guess when you are sleep depraved you will try anything!
posted by Miss Robyn | 6:52 am
11 Comments:
oh please if you find something that works pass it on! I haven't slept more than an hour or two without waking up for years. I have never slept more than 5 hours in a night and thats with waking up several times. I have tried everything I know possible except having someone hit me over the head!
White noise...I use a table top rain fall fountain, set to medium slow drips, with soothing chime music or seasurf...even rain and thunder on occasion. Also, I find that ear plugs and a sleep mask work wonders to shut out outside stimuli. I do not sleep very long due to my fibromyalgia but I generally sleep deep. Anything is worth a try. Oh yeah, I also found that reading something extremely dull and dry and boring will put me out like a light! Good luck and good sleep!
The hankie sounds like a lovely idea, though I put no stock in crystal except for suncatchers....smile. Reading a book in bed for me is full steam ahead..I love to read in bed and I know you shouldn't, so they say. What helps me to get to sleep is to simply be the night owl I am and go to bed sleepy.
Robyn you could try this CD....Album Title - Acama Tibetan Temple Bells. By the Buddhist Monks of Maitri Vihar Monastery. It works everytime for me. You may have to get earplugs to not disturb hubby....but its worth it. They will drift you off in no time. Let me know how you get on. Hugsssss
Good evening!
I find one or a combination of the following work for me...
lavender or sweet orange oil ( a few drops on my pillow)
earplugs
a good book
warm feet ( a cosy pair of bedsocks).
Also, if you can't sleep, don't fight it, get up and make yourself a glass of spiced hot choc.Read and only go back to bed when you start to yawn.
Hope this helps
Bach's rescue remedy?
Oh I'm very sorry to read that you have sleepless nights dear Robyn. That must be awful, poor you! Fingers crossed that your sleep pillows will help! When I couldn't sleep last time I just stood up and made a collage, after the collage was finished I slept like a little baby!
An herbal supplement with melatonin in it works for me everytime. It might not take much for you to sleep, (I started with about 1/4 dose) but I really love that stuff.
Wonder if you can find it there?
Warm yourself a glass of red wine and add a touch of honey to it. Then put on the cd "Dreamspiral" by harpist Hillary Stagg. Nighty-night our dear Ms. Robyn!
I've heard that a bananna is good for sleeping. The white noise machine is what finally helped my husband. He takes it with him when he travels too, and it's just like home. If all else fails, you may need to ask the doctor for a prescription for Ambien just to get your body readjusted. (I know you don't want to, but sleep deprivation is so hard on the body.) The hub has to every once in a while when he comes back from a trip overseas just to reset his intter clock. One night's sleep makes the world of difference and often that is all that is needed.
Hope you sleep soon.
Like Melissa, I use melatonin when I need it, which thankfully, isn't often. A small dose will do it. It's a substance found naturally in the body, but we don't make as much of it as we get older. Unlike some other sleep aids, you don't feel heavy-headed in the morning after taking it. The white noise is a good idea too. A fan on a lower setting works great.
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