Sleep Issues - Omaha,NE

I don't know how old you are, but you have been married to Mr. Wonderful for 18 years, so we may be in the same boat. And, let me tell you, it is a pretty big boat! I see mentioned in some of your other responses the very remedies that I use and have found to work like a charm. Coincidentally, I just got a promotional message for some of them, so I'll include it here:
http://www.vitacost.com/productResults.aspx?Ntk=products&...
If this is overwhelming, send me any questions and I'll be glad to tell you what I've used and how it has worked. I don't know anyone who has done more experimenting with all of this than myself, so I might be able to shed some light.

I also followed in the footsteps of some of my slightly older friends and started using progesterone cream. It helped with several things, including sleep. I get mine from my coop, but there are other ways to buy it. If you want it and can't find it, let me know.

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This seems to be a fairly common concern of women around 40. I just talked with my girlfriends on this subject recently. I would take a look at your eating and exercising habits. Do you get daily exercise, keep caffeine and sugar to a minimum, eat a fairly healthy diet? Is the bedroom or bedding too warm? Even if we aren't experiencing full-blown hot flashes (and a lot of women actually never do) a cooler room or pj's can help with sleep.

Another factor can be the thoughts that can circle in our heads if we have concerns about any part of our lives. The suggestion there is to "journal" for a few minutes each day about those concerns, and keep the journal by the bed so if you discover those thoughts circling, you can write them down. Something about writing them down can stop the circling and allow us to sleep.

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Hi J.! Have you ever heard of Bach flower essence? I use a flower essence called Mimulus to stay asleep.
Hylands also makes homeopathic remedies for sleeplessness. One is called Calms Forte and the other is just called Hyland's Insomnia.
I hope this helps! Waking and KNOWING you need sleep is frustrating. Good luck!

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Hi, I have had these same issues. I have an essential oil blend called "Mellow Mix" that I get from Outpost and put a little on a cotton ball otherwise Lavender works good too! and just breath, stay consciuos of your breath, I sometimes count backwards from 100, but just don't let you mind go wherever it wants, focus on your breathing. There are some homeopathic sleep aids that work well too.

Good luck,

Depending on your age, this sometimes is an effect of "peri-menopause." You mention a naturopath...try seeing your OB/Gyn and have your hormone levels tested. Peri-menopause typically begins in women between the ages of 35 and 45. Sometimes sooner, but that's the average.

If there's an hormone imbalance, they can sometimes pinpoint which hormone, and prescribe replacements (either actual or bio-identical if you're into going the natural route).

Been there and not so fun the next day when I'm tired because of it. For me it seems to happen when I don't eat enough before I go to bed. I finally get up the gumption to get up and have a snack and then I'm off to sleep. I avoid caffeine also because then I really can't sleep.

J. - I often awake early too but it's because my mind is racing and I get up and do some things and then am able to fall back to sleep or nap later in the day.

I personally haven't tried it yet but have heard wonderful things about melatonin. It's a hormone that's produced naturally in your body when you are sleeping. Problem is you need to get a good night's sleep to produce appropriate amount of melatonin and then it helps you fall asleep.

I work with a company that manufactures all their products here in the US and is one of the top supplement companies based on 3rd party evaluations. Let me know if would like to know more.

Are you on any medication that could be keeping you awake? If I take my birth control pill in the morning, the hormones keep me awake at night, so I take it before bed and sleep great now.