Insomnia Tips?

[robinsbff]

What helps you get back to sleep in the middle of the night?  

I'm finding that different things work on different nights, of course some nights nothing works, but I thought if we could share some ideas of what works for us then we each might get more ideas of some tips/tricks that might give us some relief.  


My favorite is counting backwards.  I pick a big number, say 756, and start counting backwards.  It's just challenging enough that I have to pay attention to the numbers I'm thinking of in my head but not too challenging to engage my brain in any real thinking.  It keeps my mind from wandering to worrying about work, or baby, or things that need to get done around the house, etc.  


So, what have you all tried to help you get back to sleep in the middle of the night?

[disappointedkittens]

Mine is kind of dumb but......
Every night when I'm going to sleep I try and think of the same story. It can be anything, like for example, just picture yourself driving to the park, unloading the car, setting up a picnic or whatever. I usually fall asleep to the story. Then in the middle of the night if I wake up I play the story in my head again. It's the same idea as the number thing

[pixiedust]

This has been happening a lot less in the last 4-6 weeks, but I do the change-of-scenery thing and go downstairs to the couch. Sometimes I read a little, sometimes I just resettle.

Once you're a little further along, I highly recommend the Snoogle--it's (almost) eliminated waking-up-from-positioning issues for me.

[forthelove959]

Jan 9, 2014 10:59:44 GMT -5 pixiedust said:

I highly recommend the Snoogle--it's (almost) eliminated waking-up-from-positioning issues for me.

I didn't believe that a silly pillow could make such a difference, but DH bought me one as a gift a few weeks back. I am absolutely amazed at the difference it makes!

[robinsbff]

Jan 9, 2014 9:10:43 GMT -5 disappointedkittens said:

Mine is kind of dumb but......
Every night when I'm going to sleep I try and think of the same story. It can be anything, like for example, just picture yourself driving to the park, unloading the car, setting up a picnic or whatever. I usually fall asleep to the story. Then in the middle of the night if I wake up I play the story in my head again. It's the same idea as the number thing

not dumb!  this reminds me that the other night i had to get up and pee but when i got back i tried to continue the dream that i had been having by reviewing the 'story' of it in my head.  i should try making up my own too, thanks!

[robinsbff]

Jan 9, 2014 11:45:47 GMT -5 forthelove959 said:

Jan 9, 2014 10:59:44 GMT -5 pixiedust said:

I highly recommend the Snoogle--it's (almost) eliminated waking-up-from-positioning issues for me.

I didn't believe that a silly pillow could make such a difference, but DH bought me one as a gift a few weeks back. I am absolutely amazed at the difference it makes!

good to know!

[speckledfrog]

Um...self-soothing. If you know what I mean. I also have a relaxation CD I listen to if my brain won't shut off.

[VillainV]

Similar to counting, but I write the alphabet in cursive on the backs of my eyelids by moving my eyes around. I try to make each letter take at least 5 seconds. The eye movement seems to help. I'm usually asleep by m or n.

[lulu21]

Like right now, I go on here, check Facebook and catch up on news and see what's going on in the world ....