Sleeping

Blondy214

Sometimes I have a lot of trouble sleeping (it seems to be happening more frequently as the wedding approaches). I feel like crap if I get any less than like 7 hours. I'm really afraid of not being able to sleep the night before the wedding and thus being cranky and feeling like crap on wedding day. Some people have offered to give me a sleeping pill to help me sleep. I don't take sleeping pills now, so I'm a little afraid that it may not work or that I may have some kind of reaction to it. 

I'm not sure what to do? Does anyone know of any natural ways to help fall asleep. I have tried some herbal teas in the past, and it seems like they help a little but that could be in my head. 

I just don't want to be really sleep deprived on wedding day

[Deleted User]

Have you tried Midnite tablets?  They're made of melatonin(which your body uses to fall asleep) and herbs.  You can take it in the middle of the night, as long as it's 3 hours before you need to wake up.  If I'm laying in bed tossing and turning for more than 45 min, I pop one of those babies.  It usually leads to some pretty interesting dreams, lol.  You can get them at the grocery store, OTC.  If you go to the website, you can figure out which formulation you should use.  I just use the standard MidNite.  FI got me hooked on them because I used to use Tylenol PM and these are much better for you.

Good luck!

melicifant

Avoid caffeine in the evening and afternoon. Remove as much light as possible from your bedroom(clocks, on indicator lights, ect). Try deep breathing exercises in bed. Just inhale to a slow count hold for a second then exhale as slowly. It calms the body.
And I am going to go look for those melatonin pills. Thanks Ich0708

allychase

Only use your bed for sleep and sex. This is what my psych professor told me. The more you hang out in bed to watch TV or otherwise, the less inclined your mind is to recognize bed=sleep, and it can be harder to fall asleep. This is just the first step to take when having sleep problems. 

I would talk to a sleep specialist if you're still having problems. The only issue with melatonin is taking too much causes your pineal gland to not produce as much and you may become reliant on the melatonin to get to sleep. It is helpful though. 

I'm not a doctor of course so talk to yours and they'll figure out the best way to help you out

ChiGirl2013

Lavender has been known to help with sleep.  In fact, Johnson & Johnson makes a lavender baby wash & lotion to help the little ones sleep better at night.  Try to find a lavender spray for your pillow/sheets or a mist for your bedroom.  I haven't had much luck with melatonin because it doesn't put you into deep REM sleep, which is the restful sleep that your body needs in order to feel refreshed.  Tryptophan is a natural substance found in things like turkey (which is why you always feel like you need a nap after Thanksgiving dinner) chicken, tuna, soybeans, venison, cod, salmon, and halibut - that will naturally help your body shut down.  I agree with only using your bed for sleep and sex.  Also, for an hour before bed, turn down the lights, lower the TV volume, change into your pj's and start a bedtime routine.  This will help signal your body that it's time for sleep.

If it helps any, I'm right there with ya.  I think I got 5 hours last night.  Today is going to be a loooooong day!

phoenix870509

I agree with Chi about the lavender. One of my FSILs works at Bath and Body works and she bought me this lavender spray they sell there. I use it every night and it helps. Also, I don't know if they sell it anymore, but there is this over the counter med called Simply Sleep. I took that for a while and it helped.

mabapunta

I figure it will be a really long day so my body may be exhausted, but my mind may have problems shutting off. I just might have a glass of wine before bed! And I'm going to bring my lavender Scentsy spray, too - love it!

Maybe you can take a nice relaxing bath or something? Keep a book or magazine to read? Maybe even some listen to some instrumental music. Or if all else fails, try to count sheep. I've totally done it before haha.

And definitely wind down an hour or so before you want to sleep. After our rehearsal dinner, I know much of the rest of the family will probably go out to a bar, but I'm planning to be back in the room by like 9 or so, and hopefully asleep by 10:30pm. It'll also be nice chill time with my bridal party! And I know they'll help calm me down, too