Can't Sleep? You're Probably a Woman

   By drodriguez  May 18, 2007
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According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 60 million Americans a year experience frequent or extended bouts of insomnia. Women are twice as likely to suffer from insomnia than men. There are times in a woman’s life when insomnia is more likely to strike like during menopause, pregnancy, postpartum period, or at any point when a person is feeling especially stressed.

After reading the statistics and causes of insomnia in women it’s not a stretch to say that sleepless nights affect us all at some point in our lives, some more than others. Since prescription and over-the-counter sleeping aids can be extremely habit-forming, many women try to combat insomnia naturally.

Just a quick internet search will turn up a myriad of natural remedies claiming to be able to send you off to slumber-land in no time. Some people say no television, big meals, or vigorous exercise one hour before bedtime. Others claim that herbal teas like chamomile will help relax you enough to get some shut-eye.

Since everyone is different you may have to try it all or come up with your own ways to de-stress before you hit the sack.

Do you have a no-fail nighttime routine?
What do you do when you just can’t seem to fall asleep?

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JustHeathery by JustHeathery | DULUTH, GA
May 25, 2007

I have so many things that are on my mind that I keep tossing and turning. And just when I can feel that woosy feeling of falling a sleep a thought comes into my mind and I wake up and can't sleep. I tried the working out before bed but nothing. I even tried prescriptions but they made me feel like I have my head in the clouds the next day. This is such a frustrating thing for me!

mommoms7 by mommoms7 | Woodbury, NJ
May 24, 2007

I start waking up at about 4:00 am. It doesn't matter if I go to bed at 9:00 pm or 1:00 am I still wake up. Then when I'm at work by 10:00 I'm ready for a nap.I take medication already for my heart problems & I don't want to take anymore but I would really like to sleep at least 8 hours just 1 night.

cvarano by cvarano | BROOKLYN, NY
May 24, 2007

I know this sounds old fashioned, but I drink warm milk and it really helps me. I don't know if it's something in the milk or whether the warmth and texture just relaxes me but it does work for me nearly every time when I notice I have anxiety and can't fall asleep.

lahhough by lahhough | COUNCIL BLFS, IA
May 23, 2007

I take Melatonin. On the nights I can't shut my brain off and fall asleep, I'll give in and take a Tylenol PM type of product. My problem usually is staying asleep not falling asleep.

cavgirl by cavgirl | Casselberry, FL
May 23, 2007

I never get enough sleep. Many work nights I only get 3 to 4 hours sleep and then catch up on the weekend. So many thoughts race through my mind when I am laying there trying to fall asleep!

sweetpotato by sweetpotato | Wisconsin Dells, WI
May 22, 2007

I don't sleep a lot either. I usually spend time on my computer til I lay on the couch and drop off to a TV program.If it's been a few days of like almost no sleep I try to drink chamomile tea with honey. Also use lavander to relax.

ladygtn by ladygtn | Gordonsville, TN
May 22, 2007

I am having the same problem as everyone else.I can't fall asleep without reading and when I do fall asleep it is only for a few hours.I wake up several times a night either to go to the bathroom or with night sweats.I do find that if I read a while my eyes get tired.I have tried several kinds of sleep aids but nothing works well enough that I feel rested.

deb3ds126 by deb3ds126 | Marmora, NJ
May 21, 2007

I've always had a hard time falling asleep. I read before bed, and that seems to help my eyes get really tired. And tired eyes can usually make you feel very sleepy. I've also had the thoughts of what needs to be done tomorrow at work and at home that keep me up. I've gotten a sound machine and listen to crickets chirping instead of all my thoughts running around in my head. This may help momandally07 along with a night light, instead of TV to get caught up in.

Lately though, I've been waking anytime between 2:30 and 4am like clockwork and can't fall back to sleep. I've used melatonin for years for brief periods of sleeplessness, but it doesn't help this, or does the Rx Ambien. I've reached a point that instead of fighting it, I put on the light and read a little. I still have a hard time falling asleep, but a 1/2 hour of reading and another 1/2 hour to fall asleep is much better than the 2-3 or 4 hours fighting it and not sleeping. Sometimes I wake up feeling fine than take a major crash around 1pm, and sometimes I'm just groggy all day long. Naps don't work for me since I feel crappy waking from them for the rest of the day and then I really can't sleep at night. It's been at least 2 months since I've slept through the night and I'm tired of being tired!

Good luck to all the other sleepless women here!!

mcgarvey32 by mcgarvey32 | GIBBSBORO, NJ
May 21, 2007

I hear yoga helps as well...

mcgarvey32 by mcgarvey32 | GIBBSBORO, NJ
May 21, 2007

I go to bed late every night. I stay up and do my chores after my 10,3 and 1 yr old nod off. I find myself staying in bed late in the AM rather than getting up and going, at a decent time. I feel as though I have so much to do all the time and even when my head hits the pillow, Im thinking about what needs to be done tomorrow.

lavenderblue2u by lavenderblue2u | robinson, PA
May 21, 2007

I find that a nice hot bath will do the trick.. If not I will use valarian root. Lori you are right it wont make you groggy the next day.

rmorton45 by rmorton45 | BLOOMINGTON, IN
May 21, 2007

I TAKE A SUPPLEMENT 3MG OF "MELATONIN" OVER THE COUNTER, IT PUTS ME INTO AN ALL NIGHT RESTFUL SLEEP.

muskegon by muskegon | muskegon, MI
May 21, 2007

i walk before bed and shower and that works for me

lori6974 by lori6974 | Blairsville, GA
May 21, 2007

I started taking Valarian Root, which is found in the vitamin sections of most stores, a couple hours before bed. This generally makes me so relaxed that by the time it is TIME to sleep, I am ready. No groggy feeling the next day either.

rusty2rusty by rusty2rusty | DEFIANCE, OH
May 20, 2007

I had the problem of not sleeping for 3 to 4 days at a time. That i would crash. being married with three kids if was real hard on me. The doctor put me on Sonata to help me sleep. I haven't had a problem since.