Trouble Sleeping
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Trouble Sleeping
| Wed, 01-10-2007 - 11:33pm |
DD15 is having a great deal of trouble sleeping lately.
| Wed, 01-10-2007 - 11:33pm |
DD15 is having a great deal of trouble sleeping lately.
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I have been prone to insomnia since I was a kid and it's gotten worse the older I get. I play Bunko with a bunch of ladies old enough to be my mother and this is a very, very common problem among females, I find. Most everyone complains of not sleeping! Like all these other women, I've resorted to a little 'help' with this in the form of Benedryl allergy medicine. My doctor actually suggested it over a year ago and I'm a bit embarassed to say I still use it.
DD has never been a great 'sleeper' and has trouble turning off at night, too. This was an absolute nightmare for me when she was small because it was so hard for her to fall asleep. Since starting hs, however, her days are so long and she's busy enough that she finds it easier to sleep.
Anyway, what sort of bedtime/shutting down routine does your DD have? I've always been a big believer in night-time routines that mentally prepares a body for sleep -- especially when the kids were little.
Cutting back on caffeine is a good first step. Another good one is to keep your DD's evening meals light or easy to digest. A body can't sleep or won't sleep well if it's trying to digest a heavy meal.
A warm bath always helps me. I have a Lavender & Vanilla aromatherapy bubble bath from Bath & Body Works that really does help me relax. They also have one called 'Relax' that I also really like but I think that one's been discontinued.
DD sometimes listens to classical, instrumental or one of those nature sounds CD's. She claims those are calming and help her settle down.
As much homework as kids have to do, doing it right before bed often gets their brains really working and then hard for them to turn them off. Maybe suggest to your DD she finish her homework early in the evening so she can decompress in the hours leading up to bed.
Is she troubled about anything? I am a chronic worrier and THAT particular habit has been known to keep me up all night.
Anyway, hth, and {{{higs}}} you both.
Julie
One more thing to add to Julie's great list is to be sure there's no athletics/exercise a few hours before bed. Get that adrenaline and those endorphins pumping and good luck resting! So stop exercise early, no caffiene at dinner/evenings, wind-down routine...can even try doing some slow stretching right before bed to get the muscles to calm down...best of luck.
Sue
So far, my kids have handled going to sleep on their own. I require them to be in their rooms at a certain time, but I don't tell them when they have to turn out the light and lay their head on the pillow.
I'm not sure that this is your situation, but I know when I have trouble sleeping, I just make it worse when I "force" myself to lay in bed. I will usually switch on a lamp and read or work a crossword puzzle until I start yawning. Most of the time, I'm asleep again within 30 minutes. And, of course, I agree with what the other posters suggested, as well.
Good luck!
Amelia
I've heard good things about melatonin and have little ones on my caseload that take it so I think it's pretty safe
Your dd isnt on ADD meds, is she? I can keep everyone straight-I need to make a spreadsheet!
LOL, no she's not on ADD meds, or any other.
Amelia,
I'm just like you - I tend to read myself to sleep, always have, always will.
Funny you should say that, because I think part of the problem might be that she doesn't have enough physical activity in her life.
Well, if you do get her on the treadmill, be sure she's done a couple of hours prior to trying to lay down so she can wind down!
Sue
Here's a link
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsSupplements/Melatonincs.html
It regulates the sleep cycle(circadian rhythm)
This link also talked about how darkness should increase melatonin production and how not getting enough light during the day can also disrupt the sleep cycle. Thought that was interesting!
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