Natural Remedies for Insomnia: A Comprehensive Guide

I've had severe hypnic jerks at least 6 nights a week for close to 8 or more years that disrupted my sleep to no end. Even when I could sleep, I couldn't because the jerks kept me from falling asleep. I've spend hours researching the underlying cause to no end. Magnesium oil helped to a limited to degree, but that's about it until I read a few comments about Benadryl causing hypnic jerks. After reading this, I researched it, and found it's true so I went off it--I had been taking it on a daily basis for allergies and migraine headaches for years. Since I went off the Benadryl, I've had 3 hypnic jerks in the nine nights I've been off it.

I'm convinced hypnic jerks are a side-effect of a lot of meds, and would urge anyone suffering from them to google everything they take with the word 'myoclonus' to see if it's a side-effect. If it is, and you're able to go off the med, your jerks should settle down as mine did.

Warm milk never works for me, and also makes me get up to go to the toilet later.

Gertie, read up on magnesium for insomnia.

Dear Karin I think you hit the nail on the head describing a racing mind---now I can justify mentioning the MSG factor. MSG is a nerve stimulant. All foods contains some source of MSG. Many sources are hidden under names you would never suspect.

Sorry to hear people are suffering with this. Have you tried deep breathing and meditating at night before you go to sleep? The idea is to get into your right brain which will deeply relax you. It's very difficult to do when your mind is racing, but the more you practice, the easier it gets. You need to give it 20 - 30 minutes. Eventually the brain recircuits itself and sleep gets easier. I also know a few women who feel hormone balancing herbal formulas helped a racing mind!

I have tried lavender essential oil and EFT. Neither worked for my insomnia.

Based on observing my husband, I think eating too much too late contributes to insomnia.

Two things you might want to try for insomnia. Lavender essential oil, it's very relaxing and calming. Next, try a process called EFT. Sleep well!

I recently read an article stating that liver disease is often associated w/ insomnia, and I can make a personal testament of that correlation in my life. Other diseases like hormonal disturbances, chronic infections, etc are also common causes of insomnia.

I think it fair to assume that a majority of insomnia cases are simply a side effect of some other primary disease.

Me, too! I've tried everything and nothing works. Most supplements give me diarrhea. I just read online about a 'sleep switch' that Oxford Univ. has/is studying--says there is an exercise one can do to 'turn off' the wakefulness. I wish!

Hi, I really need a place to go to help with my insomnia. I have had this for over 18yrs or so and basicly just can't sleep. I hab=ve found some good information on the site but I feel like I need some direction. I am in Bangkok, is there a brick and mortar place I can come to? Thanks so much

I already had some colloidal sodium clay--I took a scant teaspooon at bedtime one night and was miserable! Stomach gurgled all night , overall aches, headache--wow. But, over the next week, my face cleared and my arthritis didn't bother me....So I wonder. I'll try it again, but on a night when I'm off the next day. I don't sleep as it is, sure don't want to not sleep and be in pain.

Rsw, ONE TABLESPOON CLAY !! No wonder you had digestive distress!! Yes, everyone IS different, but when trying a new thing, please do not shock your system! As I said: you can do a small PINCH!

Gertie, Everyone is different and I have seen people have good success with the clay. However, I don't usually have much trouble with my intestines, but I bought Purified Premium Bentonite in filtered water to absorb toxins, and after ingesting 1 T., was incapacitated for an entire day with terrible stomach pains, even using the psyllium with it, as advised (which I threw away). I have read that others also had this reaction, so just be informed of the possibility. I now only use it externally, as with the recent poison ivy saga.

I'm wondering something myself: I have ibs-d, migraines, insomnia, skin issues---could all this arise due to my bad bowels? If yes, then maybe the clay could be a solution. Not the sodium clay, but the calcium type (sodium acts more as a laxative, calcium appears to 'coat' the intestines which allows them to heal + it removes any infection/parasites + it swells w/ fluid to bulk up the stool). Seems like you would take the clay once per day and then, 12 hours later, take a good probiotic. This way the bad stuff would be removed and replaced with good stuff, the walls would heal and not be so irritated/inflamed. Since we hear that most problems start in the gut, would this help fix the gut....and then the rest follows?

Rick, read up on Transdermal Magnesium, which simply means absorbing magnesium through the skin via baths, spraying etc.

Also, for internal consumption of clay, I use A SMALL PINCH! No need for teaspoons or even half teaspoons internally.

I've tried all the things here on ec for insomnia. So far, the only thing that works is magnesium, which gives me diarrhea. I already have ibs-d--I don't need more diarrhea! I am already taking 6 immodium at a time!

Rick, I have never heard of clay being used for insomnia. Snoop around the internet and you will find the differences in the two clays. But for insomnia, maybe try the ideas on the insomnia page right here on EC.

I have chronic insomnia. None of the supplements/herbs I have tried do anything for it. Some do help me to sleep but then I have diarrhea from them. Does anyone have experience with clay? I hear it goes to the place in most need of healing first--do you think it would go to whatever is wrong and then I'd be able to sleep? I took 1 dose of sodium bentonite clay and had muscle aches, headache, belly cramping. Now I hear that the calcium bentonite would be a better option. Anyone?

Casey: The arial parts seem to be the most beneficial.

Pleae, Timh, be so kind as to tell us the part of scullcap that is effective for the desired effects. Is it the root, or the arial part (flowers and leaves)? Thank you in advance for the clarification. I think many of our readers are wondering about the same question. I have severe insomnia. Thank you again.

Skullcap is also strong anti-inflammatory & anti-oxidant, which may be contributable to the varied beneficial effects reported.

Skullcap tea for Hyperthyroid, insomnia, nervous tension

Skullcap tea will immediately calm you down, slow down your nervous system. I have to be careful with how much of this tea I drink because of how fast it works and how effective. I want to go to sleep right after I drink it, so be sure to pace yourselves. Works like nothing else for this - a true miracle! A miracle for insomnia, hyperthyroid, and anxiety problems!

YES! Skullcap TOTALLY works! I've been drinking the tea form of it and it's just incredible! Like natural Valium! Rooibos is another good relaxing tea but Skullcap is a much stronger sleep aid. I just fall asleep practically immediately after drinking it! It's a must try for insomniacs!

Insomniacs need to try moving the head of their bed 1-2 ft. from the wall since electrical wiring in the walls emanate electrical fields that affect our brains/body. google: Electromagnetic Sensitivity for increasingly more info. The increase of cell phones, cell towers, computers, cordless phones, smart meters, etc. etc. is making our world population sick and sicker with time and most people aren't aware of the cause. a great site: ElectricSense (Lloyd Burrell in France) is loaded with knowledgeable blogs. This is nothing to ignore as I almost died from it 3 years ago before becoming aware. Let me know any questions out there. (Sweden so far is the only country that's determined ES (electric sensitivity) a disability , but all other countries are being controlled by the high tech and utility company big boys - it's all about money.)

This supplement combination has been helping me sleep better at night. The article I got it from stated it was as effective as taking Ambien (but without the side effects.)

5mg melatonin
11.25 mg zinc
225 mg magnesium

Take 1 hour before bedtime.

Hi, this thread might have ended a while ago, but since noone has mentioned my suggestion in this detailed discussion I thought I'd add it! I wonder if you managed to cure your insomnia; I have had it for a long time due to depression, tried at least half of the things that you mentioned on your initial post plus some. I found that tart cherry juice (high in melatonin) and magnesium tablets, as well as an epsom salt bath from time to time would help me to relax before bed, however the suggestion that I wanted to add is different to those. It helped me to get to sleep very quickly and sustain a solid 8-hour sleep. It is simply to make the room pitch-black (not even a crack of light from under the door, or from digital displays, or greyness through curtains) or to wear an eye mask that achieves total blackness, as well as to wear ear plugs. The science behind this is that the eyelids are the thinnest skin area on the body and very sensitive to any minute amount of light which can signal the body to wake up. In modern times, we may not be sleeping in the pitch darkness that our bodies were designed for. Ears...I can't remember the science for it, but I found that the earplugs blocked out sounds which I had not been aware that I was hearing while trying to sleep, and created a sort of sound-free nest, and this seemed to also help calm my thoughts into sleep. Lately I just wear one ear plug. Anyway, there is no fear of this interfering with food sensitivities, so thought it might especially be worth mentioning here. It worked very well for me, breaking years of severe insomnia and broken sleep - so that I actually slept enough that I could wake up feeling refreshed rather than sluggish. Hope this helps!

Mg glycinate is least likely to cause diarrhea. I adjust the amt I take. Need at least 800 mg for restless leg and charley horse. Sometimes need another 400. If I get bound up, I switch to mg citrate. My husband takes the citrate, at least 1200 mg because his meds cause extreme constipation. Took Clark's for many years, and am thinking of finding it again.

The last distillation of lavender produces a "water". There is term for it which I have forgotten. We found it in CA, but anyone distilling the plant should have it. Sprayed on the face and pillow, it induces sleep. Gentle enough for the babies, and tho fragrant, does not have the intense scent of the oil. Works as well as warm milk or chamomile, but not well enough to overcome the intense pain of neuropathy.

Magnesium Chloride, liquid form 2 teaspoons 3 X a day. Magnesium Glycinate (tablets), and liquid Magnesium Citrate all have been very effective for me in helping me relax and having a good, sound night's sleep.

Compelled to provide this warning: according to a nutrition almanac, high levels of magnesium can cause skeletal paralysis, respiratory depression, coma and death. Magnesium is generally well tolerated but there are exceptions and when in doubt, a physician should be consulted. Sometimes less is better.

Liquid forms of magnesium chloride or magnesium citrate are great, and there is also a pill form of Magnesium Glycinate that's also very effective. Magnesium definitely helps to cure insomnia, that's for sure! Best, too, if you take small doses throughout the day, not just at night when you want to go to sleep. Take it throughout the day so it can build up in your system. A lot of times people (and people in general) with insomnia are deficient in magnesium.

Unfortunately coconut oil made me extremely jittery with heart racing.

I have struggled with Insomnia most of my life, and prefer natural alternatives versus prescription or over the counter drugs. Have recently started taking Tart Cherry Juice at night, about an hour before bed - and it makes an amazing difference. It doesn't make you "groggy" but rather just takes the edge off and relaxes you to induce good sleep. I usually take eight teaspoons with water (fill up to eight ounces), again around an hour before bed - and it really helps. Just wanted to share, as I know many people suffer from degrading insomnia!

Hi Bee, I have also tried magnesium chloride oil and find that the powder works better on my brain and in relaxing me. If I don't take it at night, I don't sleep as well or feel as rested! I will check out the mudra videos on YouTube, thanks.

HI Karen,

I use the magnesium oil on my skin everyday.. Mostly rub it on at night..Do I need more oil or is the drink more effective..?? I am weaning off some awful medication thus the insomnia.. Check utube for Mudras... Thank You for the reply

Hi Bee, have you tried taking powdered magnesium in water before trying these exercises at night? I find a deep feeling of relaxation kicks in 20 minutes after drinking magnesium. That might help! The mudras practice looks interesting. Let us know how that goes.

Mike from Denver..thank you but I was also wondering if the Mudra has worked for anyone or has anyone tried it and has seen any difference in their health..

Bee: Hops extract has many favorable reviews on amazon for sleep. Xanthohumol, a close cousin of resveratrol, is an aromatization inhibitor that prevents good hormones from becoming bad hormones, a possible cause of insomnia.

Hello, Oh; I just found this modality called Mudra.. I have been practicing it .. You use meditation and hand positions for curing disease or manifesting things.. Well I am not sure its working.. I tried it for sleep and didn't sleep.....anyone know how long it takes to work? I have been doing it on and off days and nights for a week now? Thank You

I was having a heck of a time getting sleep! I would toss and turn most of the night and I was very tired by morning. I have heard so many people that are now senior citizens claim that they can't sleep? So I know that I am not alone with this frustrating problem.

I learned this from my husband as he loves to read about health issues.

He told me to try this for insomnia:

1. Fill a pitcher or container full of clean water.

2. Take a fresh lemon and slice it across in a few slices.

3. Place the slices of lemon in the water and allow this to sit for awhile.

4. Throughout the day drink a few glasses for this lemon/water. I try to drink at least 5 or 6 glasses of the lemon water.

This helps me sleep like a baby! Don't give up if it doesn't work for a few days. Keep drinking this solution.

What the lemons do is Alkaline the water! My husband read that our drinking water is too acidity. He read that this solution is similar to using baking soda. This has helped me so much in getting sleep.

I hope it works for those with insomnia. It works for my husband, my sister in law, and it works for me!

Once more thing if you use sugar in this water the sugar will only make the water acid again. Please do not use sugar in it.

Hi, will any sunglasses work or is it only a certain kind? If so where can I buy them. Thanks

Hello, I've been taking Ignatia Amara when I wake up in the middle of the night and can't go back to sleep (racing thoughts and anxiety).... It seems to work but is it Ok to take it every night long term??? Thank you for your feedback!

Thanks Tourlady89, I will try Mag Glycinate. Would be nice not to experience side effects from Magnesium! I have also recently tried magnesium oil but waiting around for the oil to absorb into the skin for 20 minutes isn't much fun!

This has got to be the most idiotic comment I have ever read in my life. If I could shut down and just enjoy my bed, do you really think I wouldn't? People are looking for answers, not dumb statements like this one.

There several forms of Magnesium. One of the most absorbable would be Mg Glycinate capsules, it does not have the laxative side effect.

Wendy: Thank you for that great post on the use of magnesium and insomnia. I have insomnia problems that herbals haven't seemed to help. (Worry about work I think.) But I'll try the mag at night as you recommended.

I have been suffering from insomnia which really kicked in this summer. I think it is perimenopausal or hormonally based insomnia. The one remedy that has worked beautifully for me has been magnesium. I take 1 teaspoon of magnesium powder (the kind that dissolves in water) just before going to sleep and having been sleeping through the night. What a miracle it has been! If I wake up and need to use the bathroom, getting back to sleep takes only minutes. I tried taking magnesium earlier in the day and it didn't have the same effect. Taking it just before going to sleep is the perfect time.

Before I took magnesium, I would wake up at the slightest sound and then be awake for 2-3 hours.

I started at 1/2 teaspoon of magnesium poweder in 1/2 glass of warm water and have slowly worked my way up to 1 teaspoon because of the loose stools effect. I did get a series of stomach aches and a few rounds of diarrhea when I started taking magnesium but now I can tolerate larger and larger doses. It did take a few weeks to go from 1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon.

Reply to Cheryl's question about ACV. It's the potassium in ACV that helps w/ so many ailments, isn't it? Eating much salt causes us to need more potassium than we can get in foods.

Timh--In my post yesterday, I mentioned diabetes only because that's how I came across some of this information, but I hope I didn't imply that this remedy could only be used by diabetics. Even non-diabetics can experience low blood sugar at some point during the sleep cycle, and may have nightmares as a result.

I have Type 2 diabetes, but I learned the "raw cornstarch trick" from people with Type 1.

Also, I double-checked my internet search suggestion and it doesn't bring up what I intended; "blood sugar nutrition crisps" works better!

@Leelannee: Thanx for the remedy post. Your logic seems accurate, but you didn't inform us as to type 1 or 2 diabetes and anything else that might be helping. Let us know how the Borax goes.

Ugh, I feel like such a dummy for forgetting why I was taking borax! I go through phases of trying new supplements & remedies, and eventually either run out or can't remember why I was taking them, and stop... Good thing I tend to share my experiences on the internet, because every now and then I look up remedies and end up stumbling across MY OWN advice that I posted a few years ago!!! Lol!!!

I actually came to EC to post about a new remedy I've discovered for nightmares (**below if you just want to skip to that), but I'm still having trouble falling asleep. My commute + workday is often 10-13 hours, and it's very stressful when I can only get about 4 hours of sleep! I will start taking borax again TODAY!

I have diabetes (possibly for years before I found out 2 years ago, because my labs were mis-filed at my doctor's office), and have been doing quite a bit of reading on nutrition & hormones. One day various bits of information just sort of clicked together and I came up with an idea that maybe you don't wake up just because you've had a nightmare, but that your brain manufactures the nightmare IN ORDER to wake you up--when your blood sugar gets low, or if you're having muscle cramps, or maybe even just to go to the bathroom!

When you haven't eaten for several hours and your blood sugar starts to get low, your liver will "dump" stored glycogen. In order to do that, cortisol must be released. Cortisol is supposed to be low at night and rise slowly around dawn until it wakes you up. Cortisol is also released when you feel threatened or frightened, and nightmares usually make you feel that way. So my hypothesis was: your body needs cortisol in order to wake you up (so you can eat) and/or to force the liver to release glycogen. The best way to do that is to make you have a nightmare.

I started looking up information and was led to some forums that discuss childhood diabetes and glycogen storage disease. Some of these children will fall into a coma or die if their blood sugar gets too low, and their parents have to wake them several times a night to test their blood sugar and feed them. Corn starch is widely used to help these children make it through the night because it is digested very, very slowly and releases glucose steadily for 5-8 hours. Many parents also reported that their children had nightmares caused by low blood sugar, and that the nightmares ceased when blood sugar was stabilized.

So that same night I started taking:

**Raw cornstarch.
I take 2-3tbsp mixed into cold water right before bed, and don't have nightmares at all!

But it won't work if you cook it; the starch molecules change, and it will cause a blood sugar spike. You can tell if it has "changed" because it will thicken. So don't mix it into warm drinks (such as cocoa) or anything with lemon--lemon also makes it thicken.

If you don't like the cornstarch in water, you could try mixing it into something else cold, like milk, yogurt, or a protein shake. There is also a product that you can find if you do an internet search for "blood sugar crisps" if you need something more convenient, or easier for a kid to eat.

Your father is anxious because he KNOWS a stranger is in his home. The fact he can sleep in your prsence and not another even though he is at his own home tells you it is anxiety at the presence of a stranger.

Is he willing to drink "valerian" tea? That is a wonderful relaxing herb and also helps certain psychological conditions. There are all kinds of such sleep aids that you could test if he's willing.

Poor old fella... He just is conscious something is wrong in his own home and his mind won't let him rest because of it. So good herbs could do the trick. And remember too that melatonan diminishes with age. A few tablets of that under the tongue can do wonders for sleep. Your local health food store will have lots of different combos of sleep aids, but if this were my dad and assuming the idea that he is anxious over a visitor in his home is correct, then valerian tea is so nice and gentle. Smells bad when steeping but tastes great.

That's an easy one. He sleeps well when he is in your home because he feels safe and content there... 'at home', so to speak.

Father's Daughter: sometimes older folks have some similarities to babies. In this case, if he was used to having his wife/children home, he would be subconciously uneasy if they are not home. Just like small children do not take to changes so easily and do not sleep well if they are not surrounded by the people they deem important to them.

It sounds like your Father feels very safe with you, and is able to relax and go to sleep when he stays at your house. He can look forward to the safety of seeing you the next morning. You must be very loving that he feels this way around you. When my Mother became somewhat frail and lived alone, I got her a Lifeline necklace, and she liked to talk with the people who checked to make sure it was working and felt secure. When she had to move into an assisted living facility (she lives in FL and would not move up North near any of us), I let her keep it for a few months until she felt safe there, even though she didn't need it anymore. Maybe you could program his phone with your number so he felt he could call you if he panics, but, of course, you need your sleep, too. You are to be admired for the care and concern you have for your Father, and it sounds like you are doing the best that you can under the circumstances.

This seems environmental. Two likely factors. One, evaluate the cleanliness of the indoor air. Consult a professional if possible. If nothing else, upgrade your air filter. Buy an indoor standing air purifier. Second, For people who are aging or ill, electric power lines can cause harm to health. Local lines are not as bad as those large regional lines that carry high voltage. There is info on the net and here on E.C. about electromagnetic radiation and health.

Please, share any ideas you might have.

My elderly dad stays by me over the weekends and sleeps well. During the week he stays at his home with a caregiver and cannot sleep at night. He wakes up, becomes panicky and rude, tries to get out of bed (unsafe for him due to balance problems, leg surgery, etc) This past week he basically lost on a whole week of sleep. What could be the reason in his room (he has lived there for many years) that it becomes such a huge problem? It has been happening with different caregivers. I replaces new roomdarkening blinds already.

Please, share any insight you may have.

Okay, over time--as in how long? I've been doing the mag oil thing for months now and I don't see any effect. I'm getting ready to try glycine/taurine/tryptophan mix to see if it does anything. I've tried just about everything, but maybe a different combination will do it.

This is true! But it's not the calcium. It was the magnesium that improved your sleep. I personally rub magnesium oil on my skin at night, it's very relaxing! You can make it at home for pennies.

I have suffered for years from insomnia, I don't know how I functioned. I have been taking Calcium and Magnesium for last one year , now I sleep much better. It doesn't work like sleeping pills, your body need to absorb the supplement slowly. It might take a month or two to notice the effect. It worked for me. Good Luck to all the fellow sleep deprived citizens of the World.

@Val: Looks like you are in need of general body detox and cleansing. Parasites and pathogens accumulate in the body over time until symptoms like you reported flare up. For starters, I would recommend oil of oregano (softgel caps) in the am and oil of garlic (softgel caps) in pm. Vit-C will help, take 500 mg w/ bioflavinoids at least 3 x daily. 250 mg Magnesium before retiring will help for sleeping.

If this doesn't help, do an herbal parasite cleanse as well as a candida cleanse (info here on E.C.).

I have had poor quality sleep for some time now. I wake up 2 to 3 times at night. I am constantly tired at work. I've started doing light exercise (walking) right after dinner and that seem to help some by making me tired enough to fall asleep-but I'm still waking up throughout the night. Sometimes I even wake up teary eyed, coughing and gagging so much that I have to get up and blow my nose or drink some water. I read something about dust mites but I've fallen asleep on my sofa a few times & it happened there also. I take ACV on a regular basis for health benefits but it has not helped my sleep. I am a 30 year old 125 pound female; so weight is not a problem & I have no other health issues. Anyone have any ideas?

Yes, light therapy can help but you have to be careful because there are all sorts of light therapy and some can be pretty startling. I would look for they light therapy that uses a moving bed along with gradually using all spectrums of light. Some light therapy abruptly flashes light and can be very startling and more harmful than good. There is a great place in Niwot, CO.

The other thing you may want to try is healthy probiotics. If you have taken antibiotics or eaten a bunch of meat with antibiotics, this can cause a lack of healthy enzymes in your stomach which can cause problems with sleep. It could have been a long time ago that you consumed the antibiotics, but if you never replaced them with healthy antibiotics, it can still be a huge problem You want to get the best possible probiotics you can, because if you only take mediocre ones, that will not help. I took 2 at least 20 minutes before I ate in the morning and 2 at least 20 minutes after I ate before I went to sleep and within 3 doses, I slept great. I finished a bottle of 90 and was fine for a while.

Due to IBS you may have a vitamin/ mineral imbalance. See this link for deficiencies in Vitamins B: http://www.longevinst.org/nlt/newsletter19.htm. You should get a book describing the vitamins and minerals required by the body.

If you do not have enough sun exposure, you may be vitamin D deficient.

For IBS you should try to eat green bananas -the starch from these bananas can heal the intestines. Do you eat raw garlic/ onion? Do you avoid gluten? Do you drink spring water?

Read about calamus roots-it is a good way to heal the digestive system.

My question was 'does light therapy work'. Thank you for your reply, but I am not willing to go vegan. I have free range, pastured hens for eggs. I grow a garden. I buy a side of pastured, grass fed beef for my freezer. Yes, I'm sure I eat gmo food--it's near impossible not to, but I do my best to avoid it. My diet is very good--home-grown foods for the vast majority. Also, one cup of coffee in the morning then only water. I can't be outside b/c I work, so that's my question--do light boxed help with insomnia?

I have tried everything (sleep formula) that has been suggested on earth clinic. That's why I'm asking about the light therapy. I've tried sounds, herbs, finger-dcounting, pillow method, mag oil---the only thing I've seen so far that I haven't tried is what someone just suggested--poppy oil capsules. Never heard of that one. Will get some and try it. I need relief. The onlyh sleep I get is with ambien, and it's not restorative. Other than that when I take an imitrex and hydrocodone for chronic migraine. Thank everyone for the suggestions, I jsut wish I'd get something new to try as nothing has worked and ted has not responded. I think I have something very basic going on that has not been addressed, but can't think of what. I have never been a good sleeper and have always had ibs-D (over 50 years).

Poppy oil capsules work very well for chronic insomnia. Dreams are life-like and you wake up feeling refreshed. Please be advised that blue lights from appliances can cause insomnia...

Not sure if light therapy would help with insomnia. I think a sleep formula might be more helpful.

Does anyone know if light therapy works? If so, what kind of thing are you looking for when shopping for a light box? I'm still searching for a solution to my chronic insomnia. I go to bed fairly early, but don't fall asleep. If I stay up later, I don't fall asleep. When I do sleep, I sleep in snatches of 15-20 minutes and wake up. I actually sleep better on the couch with the tv on--the show occupies my mind and stifles the chatter. After an hour or so of this, I can usually get up and go to bed. Even then, if I do go back to sleep, I'm only sleeping for short periods of time before waking. I leave the house for work at 6 a.m. , so I can't try going to bed at what most think of as bedtime. Also, I get up at 4 to feed the livestock (so I get early morning sun/light) and get ready for work, so what's early for you may be late for me.

I have several cds and other wav files with white noise, sleep sounds, binaural beats, etc. Nothing has worked yet. I am very good at picking out patterns, so I know where I am in the sequence and talk to myself about how long it will be before x occurs, etc. I am right this minute listening to Ted's cat purring while I'm at work. Can't hurt and if it helps the arthirits pain I'm all for it.

I found to have a CD player set up to repeat helps! I have a Dr Wayne Dyer CD-- The I am Mediations... It is not really music but tuning forks.... So you can listen to it and not really get caught up "the lyric or the tune" I made my own CD mix with the second track on the CD repeated 3 times (as the trak is 20 minutes long). Then I play that with my CD set to repeat.