What a time to start a new thread.

Does anyone have any tips on how to get a good nights sleep.

Obviously not the 2 people who have just viewed my first post.

Sex or alcohol usually work for me

Alcohol, definitely not.

Damned if I know. I have some nights when I wake up in the small hours and then can't get back to sleep. It is a sod, and can leave you drained.

A long ago I gave up trying to sleep, if I can't I just get up and do something else. I have been known to be at craft table all night, have breakfast and just keep going. I will not take sleeping pills, a piriton make me dopey enough ! I was told to sleep when you need to and not worry about.

In my recent circumstances I did that just, I seldom sleep during the day unless ill. I think it is better to try and keep to days are being awake and night for sleep if it comes if not do so be it.

Have you tried taking a brisk walk before bed ? cutting out caffine ? long soak in bath ? I only ever have a small night cap if having one at all, it does not seem to make the situation any better for me.

Making sure your bedroom is very dark (we have wooden shutters but blackout curtains or blinds do just as well) and wearing an eye mask helps me - but the OH does call me The Lone Ranger! Also, burning a lavender scented candle or using a lavender scented room spray half an hour or so before you go to bed can help too.

Not worrying about it is a good idea but only works if you aren't time constrained by having to get up for work or something. I rarely sleep the whole night through, but I don't start work till midday at the earliest so it doesn't really matter to me. MIL is a dreadful insomniac but I never know why she's so worried about it - she doesn't have to get up for anything. If I was worried about it and had to have a proper sleep pattern I would get something from the farmacia - and something that works - not some untested and implausible herbal stuff.

Do not know what it is like to have a nights sleep, too many worries and problems.

No alcohol, no later night drinks, no stimulus prior to bed etc seems to work for some people, the really important thing seems to be to relax about it and not worry as you should always get the amount of sleep that your body needs.

Rosemary

Lie in bed and read a good book till you feel drowsy.
If you wake through the night do the same again.
It works for me. I often drop off after only two or three pages.

Thanks for all the advice. I shall try them in order of the posts, So its the sex and alcohol tip first.
I knew my luck was about to change.

No, no, no, Fred knows nothing, do not listen to him...........ouch, just got a clip around my ear from OH, he says Fred is right it works for MEN every time.

Rosemary

During stressful times, I find getting to sleep difficult and don't force myself because it doesn't work. I get up and do something, mostly reading, even if it's just on the internet.

Of course alcohol helps, as in a couple of whiskies to relax. Drinking a whole bottle will also put you to sleep, but it has horrendous side effects and you might not be able to sleep for the next few nights.

The odd sleepless night is not a big deal, we all suffer from them occasionally.

What I always do is try to think of nothing, it's not easy, as many thoughts come.

You really have to work hard to do it right. Hopefully the next thing you know you're waking up

Works for me.

So based on the fact that we are always being told that men have one track minds if they switch this one track off they can sleep easily.

So annoying that this means that men have an advantage over women because of course women have too many tracks goin on in their minds to switch off in order to sleep.

Rosemary

Yes, but that one track works very well one way and another.

If there's no chance of a leg over which usually works very well anyway, then we can always think about relaxing on some exotic beach in some exotic location, surrounded by exotic birds all wearing nothing but a smile.

Worst possible thing is to start worrying about little problems which then go round and round in your mind until they turn into big problems and drive you nuts as well as keeping you awake half the night.

No, I'm quite happy to settle for bird watching myself, if the real thing isn't close at hand.