Works for Me Wednesday: Melatonin
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I occasionally suffer from periods of insomnia. If it’s just a night or two, I can usually handle that. Much longer than that, though, and I’m ready for something to help me sleep. Over-the-counter sleep aids tend to make me groggy the next day and often make it difficult to wake up and get moving when I should.
Enter, melatonin.
Melatonin is a naturally occurring substance in your body that triggers your brain that it’s time to go to sleep. It’s sold in the pharmacy in the vitamin section. For me, it’s proven a safe and effective tool for combating insomnia. It doesn’t make me sleepy; it simply settles my mind so that I can rest. It never makes me feel groggy the next day, no matter how late at night I take it. So, if I’m still tossing and turning at one or two o’clock in the morning, I know I can still break down and take a melatonin and still be able to get up the next day.
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Kris Bales is a newly-retired homeschool mom and the quirky, Christ-following, painfully honest founder (and former owner) of Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers. She has a pretty serious addiction to sweet tea and Words with Friends. Kris and her husband of over 30 years are parents to three amazing homeschool grads. They share their home with three dogs, two cats, a ball python, a bearded dragon, and seven birds.
I've found that "Sleepy Time" tea works well too. (I think Celestial Seasons makes it.) It's in the regular grocery store.
Our oldest takes melatonin every night. He used to have such a hard time sleeping — he would lay in bed for hours and then would be tired every morning. Our doctor suggested melatonin for him, and it has helped so much!
I love melatonin too…especially when away from home.
I'll have to give this a try. I've developed insomnia in the last year, and regularly stay awake upwards of 3am. Also, my DS had a hard time sleeping. Is there a way to tell a dosage for a 5yr old?
@ photoJENic — If it were me, I'd check with my pediatrician before giving it to a 5 yr old.
I've tried it in the past, and it works wonderfully, but if I take it more than a couple of nights in a row, I end up so dizzy that I can't drive and I nearly fall over if I turn my head too fast. I don't know if that "hangover" happens to anyone else or it's just a weird thing with my body!
Hmmm, I'll have to try that. I've had sleep issues for as long as I can remember but don't like that groggy feeling so I never take anything.
insomnia – the curse of the creative being. 🙁
I used benedryl for a while. I don't advise it- leaves you groggy. I'm currently starting an anti anxiety medicine, but know I"m going to look more into this suggestion!