What is sleep.

What helps you fall asleep?
I've tried everything besides sleeping pills .... my dr has yet to prescribe me anything for my sleep.
Need suggestions on how to stay asleep...

Here are links to 6 articles, from PsychCentral's archives, that offer tips regarding insomnia:

The First Line of Treatment for Insomnia That'll Surprise You

14 Strategies for Sleeping Better

Tips for a Satisfying Sleep

12 Ways to Get Rid of Insomnia | The Exhausted Woman

Putting the Fear of Sleeplessness to Rest

https://psychcentral.com/lib/a-guide...-better/?all=1

To the OP - I hope the above is of help to you

((((((( Skeezyks )))))))

Listening to calming CDs of music often helps me to switch off the busy part of my mind and I fall asleep around the 3rd or 4th track without knowing I've done that. I don't know whether that's because music was the only good part of my childhood - violent parent expressing his emotions elsewhere - or because "listening profoundly" switches off thinking - or because music is a beautiful gift in a tough life .

When I really can't sleep - at all - happens twice or three times a year - I fight doctors until they give me medication.

is the room quiet and dark?

I find the louder it is (either in the room or outside), the more likely I am to become stressed and irritated

also do you have a newesh matress
if you've had the same one for years it may be time to get a new one

Hi! I have challenges falling asleep and also staying asleep. I was exhausted for years before the doctors ordered an over night sleep study which showed I had sleep apnea. Apnea never came to mind as a possibility, I have none of the normal signs. I am on the CPAP mask at night, which is not a total solution. I have developed a wind down process at night, meditate, breathing, different relaxing music and sounds. It's a never ending process because my body fights any regular routine I try and use, so I am constantly revising my night time routine to keep it fresh. I use over the counter sleep meds, and some prescription med at times. Part of the apnea is my physical body situation, the stop breathing at night, but another aspect of the sleep challenges is my non stop mind - so I do meditation and breathing exercises all times of day, the more I do, the more it helps. The doctors feel the CPAP is the the total solution, I have had to go back at different times when my energy was low, over the years I have found out I have several minor health issues that all can affect my quality of sleep and energy level. Stay positive and focus on something small you can change each day, not getting enough sleep affects everything and can be it's own anxiety cycle. Best wishes, Tony

I went through sleep training and it saved me.