Natural sleep aid

[Tiggeroo]

can anybody recommend something for my college son. When he goes back to school he has a hard time falling asleep. It gets really bad, to the point where he's getting three hours sleep a night. This will soon make school impossible.

 

[hiwaygal]

Melatonin is a natural sleep aid. You can probably get it at a GNC or herbal/vitamin store.

 

[Tiggeroo]

after doing some research melatonin is what I was thinking of trying. He's seeing a counselor at school to deal with his stress/worry issues but it's only been one week. . I'd rather not see him on a prescription sleep aid if I can find something natural for it.

 

[Crankyshank]

Definitely melatonin. You also might want to pick him up a sounds of the rainforest or ocean cd - something along those lines to help relax him when he goes to bed.

 

[Tiggeroo]

wow I love the cd idea too. Generally with him if he can just break the cycle and sleep thru the night for a few nights the problem goes away. But it's become a self-fullfilling thing where he goes to bed and assumes he won't sleep. Then on Sat and Sun he sleeps til 4 in the afternoon and figures he's catching up some.

 

[Tiggeroo]

what about melatonin with valerian together. There are some products with this that get good reviews.

 

[Poohgirl]

My son takes it before bed to help fall asleep. It works wonders for him.

 

[Tiggeroo]

what does he take? Melatonin of combo of mel. and val. How long has been taking it and did he just go with the recommended dose on the bottle?

 

[Tiggeroo]

Another reason I consider melatonin is that he's a beach life guard during the summer. He's in the sun all day six days a week. Then he goes back to school and is inside all the time except for running practice.

 

[Blondie]

Melatonin has really helped me out! I hope he can get a good night's rest soon!

 

[Hercules10]

 

[Tiggeroo]

he's a college kid, he can't afford patron.

 

[Hercules10]

 

[beavismom]

My DH has been taking Melatonin for years and it works wonders. Just an FYI, you can generally find it at Target and Wal-mart cheaper than you can at GNC and the like.

 

[FloraFauna]

Try herbal tea. Celestial Seasons makes one called Sleepy Time.

 

[Frantasmic]

Are you worried about drug's or cost?

If it's just the cost you are worried about, my suggestion is to go to Target or Wal-Mart and get the generic CHILDREN'S benedryl. This helps with becoming dependent on drugs as well.

The children's version of the medicine has only half the dosage of the adult version and the sleepiness that "benedryl" induces may come from the smaller dosage.

Works for me. A tsp of children's generic benedryl at night and I sleep very well. It isn't expensive and you are only getting half the dosage with all the benefits.

 

[ufbuilder]

Melatonin is definitely good, but not real effective in my experience with insomnia. It improves the quality of sleep you do get, but I don't find that it helps me or anyone I know with actually falling asleep. Valerian will make me fall asleep, but the valerian itself has a certain odor and it can make you kind of stink. I know you asked for natural, but Simply Sleep by Tylenol is VERY effective for me with my occasional insomnia and is not habit forming. It is the same ingredient found in Benadryl (this is what most doctor's initially prescribe for patients with sleeping problems) without all the other medicines. Good luck!

 

[Christine]

Are you worried about drug's or cost?

If it's just the cost you are worried about, my suggestion is to go to Target or Wal-Mart and get the generic CHILDREN'S benedryl. This helps with becoming dependent on drugs as well.

The children's version of the medicine has only half the dosage of the adult version and the sleepiness that "benedryl" induces may come from the smaller dosage.

Works for me. A tsp of children's generic benedryl at night and I sleep very well. It isn't expensive and you are only getting half the dosage with all the benefits.

I use this too. Just one teaspoon seems very helpful. Doesn't knock me out but just kind of relaxes me.

 

[Poppinsme]

Hello. I work 12 hour night shifts. This is what I use to fall asleep. (I work in health care) Benadryl, noise machine(water sounds), ear plugs. I need it as quiet as possible. And by the way Benadryl is used by darn near everybody who works nights because it WORKS and is non habit forming. Safe and cheap.

 

[ChrizJen]

Seriously, I use Benadryl, like others have said. I take 2 about 30 minutes before bed, and it's works like a charm. I used to take Tylenol PM until I learned that the "sleep" portion of that was essentially the same thing as Benadryl. I didn't really need the pain relief, just the sleep aid. So now I just take the Benadryl.
-Christal