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Permalink Reply by Sue Cuomo on December 21, 2011 at 12:24

The trouble with lack of sleep is that it catches up with you eventually ! Whether your sleeplessness is due to being woken by your Caree; worries about your caring situation or you just can't 'turn off' - it is essential that the body gets enough sleep to function properly.

 

Foods that contain tryptophan (bananas/Lettuce) are good for aiding sleep as they increase the bodies serotonin (nature's 'happiness' chemical) levels; sometimes herbal sleep remedies can help in the short term.

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Permalink Reply by Sam Cowley on December 23, 2011 at 9:36

Really interesting Sue. I did not know about Tryptophan.

Has anyone else tried herbal teas to aid sleep?

Sam

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Permalink Reply by Heather Lord on March 11, 2012 at 19:42

I've spent the last year trying to get by on 2-3hours sleep a night. My husband went into care home last October and it doesn't get any easier.  I went to my doctor to get some help, all he did was laugh. I've tried all the herbal remedies, hot baths, cocoa. you name it i've tried it, nothing works. just can't switch my mind off. when he was at home I worried about him al the time.

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Permalink Reply by janet Flooks on September 23, 2012 at 11:00

Hi, everyone. I care for my husband 24/7. He is a cardiac patient who's had stents inserted into arteries twice.He also developed bowel cancer three years ago, had a tumour removed, and so far has been cancer free. He has very bad arthritis in both legs and in the spine, and is in constant pain. I also have arthritis in the spine and just about everywhere else. The last three years have been hell as we went from a normal family with both of us working, to where we are now, fortunately our housing is finally sorted, with us now living in a disabled house in town. I am constantly exhausted with a baffling range of symptoms; which I finally put down to stress, after reading up on the website about this debilitating condition. Thanks Carewell for the welcome to the online caring community, the handbook and sleepwell CD. Still working on the sleep side of things, I have many disrupted nights. I'm a bit of a wreck right now.

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Permalink Reply by Sue on October 2, 2012 at 18:03

Hi, I have found Clipper Sleep Easy tea really helps me get deep refreshing sleep. Not eating after 8pm at night is also helpful, so my body is not too busy trying to digest food when it should be resting.

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Permalink Reply by Sue on October 2, 2012 at 18:07

Yes, if I can't sleep then I get up and do some yoga for 10 minutes, that does the trick as it distracts my mind and the stretches and postures and breathing give release from tension.  For non yogis I suggest some gentle stretches or deep breathing techniques, there is lots of info on the web about these.

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Permalink Reply by MISS ANNA EVANS on October 3, 2012 at 18:36

YES - I BELIEVE IN HERBAL REMEDIES -  CHAMOMILE TEA IS AN EXCELLENT CALMATIVE AND CAN AID SLEEP.  ALSO, EASILY AVAILABLE REMEDIES FROM CHEMISTS SUCH AS, NYTOL, KALMS AND QUIET LIFE, WHICH CONTAIN A VARIETY OF HERBS THAT AID SLEEP.  ALSO,

VALERIAN (WHICH IS WHAT THEY MAKE VALIUM FROM) IS GOOD FOR CALMING  AND AIDING SLEEP.

IT IS AVAILABLE FROM ONLINE VITAMIN SUPPLIERS SUCH AS ZIPVIT, BUT YOU MAY FIND IT AT AMAZON OR E-BAY PROBABLY.

OR JUST DO A SEARCH ONLINE FOR NATURAL SLEEP REMEDIES AND SEE WHAT YOU FIND.

LOVE AND PEACE

ANNA

Sam Cowley said:

Really interesting Sue. I did not know about Tryptophan.

Has anyone else tried herbal teas to aid sleep?

Sam

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Permalink Reply by janet Flooks on October 4, 2012 at 15:17

In desperation I got some Kalms from the chemist, as I was really stressed out. I have a teenage daughter, and boy, this is where 90% of my stress comes from, teenage tantrums, etc. I'm happy to say I'm sleeping better now. I also find listening to soft music helpful. I adore herbal teas too - Twinings A Moment of Calm infusions helps me to relax. What helped even more, some alone time for the two of us, when there's much laughter and lots of hugs. Nature's antidote to stress! Janet

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Permalink Reply by MISS ANNA EVANS on October 4, 2012 at 20:17

JOLLY GOOD FOR YOU - I AM GLAD PEOPLE ARE TRYING NATURAL REMEDIES RATHER THAN RESORTING TO PRESCRIBED OR ILLEGAL DRUGS.  YOU ARE BLESSED TO HAVE A LOVING FAMILY AROUND YOU TOO.

LOVE AND PEACE

ANNA

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Permalink Reply by janet Flooks on October 5, 2012 at 18:09

I have an aversion to prescribed / over the counter sleeping tablets, as I saw my mum and dad having to take them for years and years, same with my hubby. If he doesn't take his sleeping pills, he doesn't sleep - and neither do I!!! It becomes a vicious cycle, as eventually the pills start wearing off or the person develops an immunity to the medicine, and the sleepless nights start all over again! As for myself and my teenage daughter, I much prefer natural sleep, and won't allow her to fall into the sleeping pill trap. Usually, if she can't sleep I'll suggest a glass of warm milk; the only exception is during exams, when I get a herbal remedy recommended for her by the chemist. One has to be sensible. I mostly sleep well naturally, and much prefer it this way, but sometimes mother nature needs a helping hand, in times of great stress. Thanks Anna for the kind thoughts.

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