Sleeping Issues - Plain City, OH

I wanted to add an additional suggestion. I personally suffer from insomnia, and have since I was in college. I take Melatonin, but I also studied Buddhist meditation. On the days when the Melatonin does not help, I have often been able meditate myself to sleep. You should look into it, because it is a useful skill in a number of ways. I also use meditation to control my temper, and last year, I used it to defeat a phobia. It is really a wonderful life skill!

Something as simple as dehydration can cause insomina issues. MINIMUM of half the body weight in ounces DAILY is the rule. SODAS do not count! WATER WATER WATER! Might want to pick up a copy of YOUR BODY'S MANY CRIES FOR WATER by F. Batmanghelidj, M.D.

Are there any more symptoms besides besides this? Is she active in any activities like sports?

I have no experience with this with children, but two things come to mind. Make sure she's getting plenty of exercise (earlier in the day) and another thing, you could try guided relaxation methods, like when you relax each part of your body in turn. Maybe even trying a yoga class or meditation class would help. Might want to talk to someone at Yoga Springs in Yellow Springs (http://www.yogasprings.com/) about what might help her relax. Good luck!

I agree with Rebeccah on making sure there is enough physical activity during the day and maybe a relaxing yoga session before going to bed (20-30min). You can try yoga PM dvd from gaiam.com. A few drops of valerian root would be helpful too.

For proper sleeping. Herbal tea's are best. No side effects and good sleep too. You can have a look at http://www.internationaldrugmart.com/herbal-products/slee...

Read for 15-30 min before bed. Let her do it in bed so she doesn't need to get back up, it is very relaxing. Also go to a local natural food store and look into Acai berry juice. Make sure the first ingredient is this berry and not other stuff. It is all natural, very antioxidant rich so very good for you, and one of the best things about it...it helps you sleep. I don't know what it is about it, but it does. Google it if you don't know anything about it.

Hi Marcia,

I'm sorry I don't have any suggestions about the sleep issues but I saw that you are looking for a part-time job. I sell Tupperware and totally love that I can make my own schedule. Even in this economy our sales are still strong (10 quarters of profit plus sales in July 2009 ahead of July 2008!). Please check out my website and let me know if you'd like more information. www.my.tupperware.com/KJThomas

Thanks, and good luck!

You might try cutting dairy products out of her diet in general and see if that helps.

I suggest seeing a counselor. Someone she could go to to talk about her problems. She may not have any major ones, but there might be something bothering her.

Also, sleep tapes work for a lot of people. Have her take a warm shower, get ready for bed, listen to music or watch TV for about a half hour. Do the same routine every night. If she can't sleep she should just lay still in her bed; at least that is restful for her body.

Since it really isn't a new issue I will ask you the following:
Do you eat a lot of carbohydrates? If so they are natural sugar and you may need to cut back on potatoes, carrots, peas, rice, corn, noodles etc as well.
Secondly she may just not require as much sleep as you do, it happens. I used to do very well on just 4 hours a night and "no" I did not nap during the day either. It may just be her metabolism. Albert Einstien only slept in snatches of 10 to 20 minutes at a time 5 or 6 times a day and he was fine.
Is she getting enough exercise? Have her outside in the fresh air more, walking, bike riding, swinging, etc. Fresh air does seem to help a lot. If available swimming is really great.
Keep her active, exercise is a great way to wear you out enough to rest better.
Monitor what she is reading and definitely what is being watched on television. After say 6:30 p.m. no heavy action shows and nothing thrilling or scary. Have her read more in the later evening and have it be something like "Little Women", Nancy Drew mysterys are pretty tame, "Tale of a Fifth Grade Nothing" or the Little House on the Prarie Series. She can read these while in her bed.
A cup of warm tea, hot cocoa (not hot chocolate) there are some like tension tamer and sleep well teas that help relax a person as well. A nice cup at bedtime with a book helps a lot.
Does she have a radio in her room or a CD Player? If so I noticed with my children that playing music softly helped them relax and finally sleep as well. Naturally it has to be monitored music, I don't suggest rap or heavy metal. Maybe Creed, Celtic Music, Native American Flute Music, and some of the new age stuff the massage therapists use is good for helping you relax as is ocean sounds, wind sounds, etc.
Good luck you have my sympathy and my prayers.

Artificial dyes can affect a lot of children (and adults). Try to stick to natural snacks with whole grains and no dyes.

Also, you can try Bach Sleep Rescue. It's homeopathic and non-habit forming, so you've got nothing to lose. Google it, lots of places sell it.

Is she depressed? Depression can mess with sleep. Is she taking any meds that could be interfering? My daughter was suffering from depression and also had sleep issues. One thing the psychologist told us is you have to have a sleep toilet, or basically a sleep routine. This routine that you do every night before bed tells your body it is time for sleep. Can include bath, brushing your teeth, reading, guided relaxation, etc. It is important to try to go to bed the same time every night, lie in trying to go to sleep no longer than about 15 mins, then do something to relax you, then try again. Lying in bed for hours makes it worse. Then in the morning, important to get up at the same time, whether you slept or not.
Good luck. Might speak to the doc if there isn't a specialist she could go to that would help. There are specialists for a reason.
R.