To Calm Mind and for Sleep

Yesterday we also talked about taking tylenol PM, Melatonin, or something like that to help my mind to calm down so I can go to sleep more easily. Has anyone taken anything over the counter for sleep?

I take Benadryl (which actually is in Tylenol PM, but no tylenol) I can take benadryl by itself; I am afraid to take tylenol too long.

I sometimes take kava kava pills (available in health food stores), sometimes Melatonin (should keep trying that, I will)

Valerian might help (health food stores or even drug stores)

I am working on trying to self soothe more at night, too.

Billi

I have, and I also don't want to take tylenol routinely.

I've also used relaxation CD's. I have one from www.wholeperson.com that is called "Warm and Heavy" - it is 2 relaxations, one called Warm and the other called Heavy. It is progressive relaxation and I love it! I listen in bed, and I am ready to fall asleep when it's over, if I haven't already nodded off.

I take melatonin. It has worked wonders in regulating my sleep.

Melatonin really helps me put me in the right mind to sleep. It makes me sleepy, not drugged. I wish I was allowed taking it.

I take melatonin (3 mg) as well - not regularly, but when my sleep cycles become erratic and when I'm having one of those more difficult nights... really helps me.

a good ol fashioned herbal tea, chammomile tea contains no caffiene and may also aid in sleep, the natural way without side effects.

true, guru - also this has helped me when not on melatonin:

Reading some helps me, can give me something to focus on as I fall asleep (instead of my own life and problems :-) I look and see what appears to be keeping me awake (too much caffeine earlier in the day?) and when I got up (hard to get to sleep if I haven't been awake "long enough") and try to do something to counter whatever the problem is.

Sometimes something as simple as a snack with dairy in it (bowl of cereal is good, add a banana and that's even better.) http://www.articlesbase.com/sleep-ar...id-576334.html

I have taken Tylenol PM for years! I also take Benadryl sometimes. I do have a prescription for Ambien, but I don't take it that often. Too scared to use it that much. There is a sleep aid that has just the 'sleep' part of Benadryl and Tylenol PM in it. I get it at Walmart.

Is it bad to take Tylenol PM? I do have headaches and pains, so that is why I use it at night for a sleep aid.

I don't know if it's bad. The only part that would concern me is stomach upset. I have taken benadryl, ambien, trazodone, valerian & klonopin. Nothing seems to keep me asleep, which is the main problem I have with insomnia. Valerian helped to relax me but did not help in falling or staying asleep.