Whats the best over the counter sleep aid?

Question

ive used excedrim pm but i was wondering if there was something better?

Answer 1

I agree with Jen. Melatonin works really well for me. I get to sleep easily with it, I sleep quite deeply when I take it - no freaky dreams like I used to get when I took the more commercial sleeping aids, and I never feel drowsy the next day just really calm and well rested.

I think making sure your bedroom is an ultimate place of relaxation is a great help as well. Keep it tidy, decorate with neutral/cosy colours, get some scented candles/oil burners (please extinguish before you go to sleep...hehe) banish all televisions sets/heavy music cd's/intense books to the lounge room etc. It helps you to unwind. Invest in a great duvet and pillows too...make it your den of zen!

Here is a Wikipedia link on Melatonin if you'd like to read up more : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melatonin

And some random links to articles I picked off of the Yahoo search engine on making your bedroom a peaceful place:  http://home.ivillage.com/decorating/bedr...

http://bedroom-decor.suite101.com/articl...

Good luck and sweet dreams :)

Answer 2

If you have difficulty sleeping, then you are unable to turn off the mind long enough to lure the body into sleep.  Any foreign substance may help temporarily, but long term use and side effects are not much better to put up with.

relaxation techniques are free, and worth it!  

www.massagesolutionslv.wordpress.com

my blog, look under massage for sleep articles.

Answer 3

I use a homeopathic remedy called Calms Forte, available in any health food store.

Also, I use an essential oil made with lavender. The scent of lavender is as effective as any over the counter medication.

When wanting a good night's sleep, the main thing is to establish a good night time routine. Stop reading or watching TV 30 minutes before bedtime, do some stretches or deep breathing to relax you and keep your bedroom very dark.

Don't rely on over the counter medications. All meds have side effects, even those you buy OTC. Plus, eventually they quit working or you need to increase doseage. Before I learned about natural alternatives I used Dimetapp at bedtime. Eventually I developed an allergy to all antihistamines and get jumpy and nervous every time I took any. This, however, led me to investigate natural alternative to allergies also, so I guess it was a good thing. Now I take no medications at all.

Find some more safe, natural sleep remedies here

http://path2healthyliving.com/NaturalSle...

Answer 4

Melatonin works great!

But sometimes Just bring out the bottle of whiskey and you will sleep like a baby.

Answer 5

Like most of the other answerers, I suggest melatonin. Be sure to read the source link article, "5 Things You Need to Know About Melatonin," before you take it. Good luck and sleep well!

Answer 6

booze

Answer 7

Melatonin is a good option, and it is produced in the body. Melatonin should not be used continuously more than two weeks at a time, and should generally be used with a doctor's supervision.

There are lots of other things you can do to get better sleep. Here's one source (http://www.helpguide.org/life/sleep_tips... and there are many other sites and books that address better sleep. Check some of the out.

You can also try Valerian, which is an herb. You can buy Valerian from my employer, CNCA (product = Sleep Ade), but it is pretty easy to find in health food stores and online. Don't use Melatonin and Valerian together.

Sweet dreams!

Answer 8

melatonin..its usually in the vitamin section..its a hormone your body releases when you start getting tired (i think its triggered by the decrease in sunlight)..it works great for me and doesn't make me feel drugged or feel awful the next morning

Answer 9

Stop by your local Wal-mart and get  "Rexall" Melatonin 300 MCG take one pill 2 hours before you want to go to sleep. Melatonin is a hormone that the body needs to regulate the sleep cycle.

Another method if you like herbal tea is my own recipe for slamming sleep tea. Go to a health food store or herbal shop. I buy the loose herbs but getting the tea bags already made works best. This is the recipe:

In a coffee filter or tea ball place the following herbs:

1 teaspoon chamamile flower dried herb (tea) (makes you sleepy)

1 teaspoon Passion Flower dried herb (puts you into a deep sleep) ps expect wild dreams

1 teaspoon Hibiscus Flower dried herb (keeps you asleep)

If using a coffee filter place all of the herbs in the filter and fold it up like an envelope and staple it shut. If using a teas

steeping ball just add all herbsand close it tight. Boil a cup of water and add the tea bag or ball. This is important STEEP for 20 minutes then drink 1-2 hours before bed. At some health food stores you can get the tea bags already made with each ingredient seperate. This is fine just be sure to add one bag of each herb. This works better than any one herb alone. I have been using it for years. I love the crazy dreams I get from the passion flower :)

Answer 10

I have heard from yahoo info. that most people said Tylenol, i do not recommend anything so please do not think this is advice from me personally!

It also said, you should take it one hour before you expect to go to sleep, and if drinking (alcohol ) don't take tablets to sleep.

I was going to say that if you got into the habit of taking three  cups of tea of good "Chamomile Tea "  from about an hour or so before bed, spaced out obviously, you may find you have no problem going to sleep naturally.

This is safely given to children from European countries, and worked naturally, (hence the three cups/ you may want more)

its a safe herb and totally safe. (check health food shops and some supermarkets),

Note:  It may take two or three days for your body to respond, as with most natural things, you need to be a little persistent at first and patient to see the true results start to work!

Answer 11

tylenol pm, valerian root, and malatonin.