
Originally Posted by
Fluidic Kimbo
I don't wanna sound like an old granny here.... but sleep is something that should be looked at as a very longterm enterprise.
There are immediate fixes (e.g. Ambien/Zolpidem, Zopiclone, benzodiazpenes), there are mid-term fixes like habitually taking supplements such as melatonin, and then there's the longterm fixes.
I think anyone who's struggled with sleep for a portion of their life will say they wish they'd skipped all the quick fixes and just headed straight to the longterm fixes (even though the longterm fixes don't give immediate relief).
The longterm fix for me is my 1 hour of meditation per day, but I also eat well and I don't drink or smoke (although I got through lockdown with a little help of my local liquor store but hopefully that's behind me now).
For some people, the longterm fix is getting into a steady routine of daily prayer, or daily Bible reading, or both. For some people, it's a yoga class three times a week. Some people chant, some people write poetry. Some people do all of this stuff together as a sort of "wellbeing package".
Natural restful sleep comes naturally to a person who isn't troubled in one way or another, it comes naturally to a person who can wind down and sit still without their mind constantly meandering in and out of thought. For me, taking supplements and medicines to make me sleep would only steer me further away from my goal of natural restful sleep.
I really think that those of you with sleep problems should invest in something far more longterm, even if it means going back to church on Sunday's. Whatever enables you to wind down.
With all this said though, sleep deprivation can sap the joy out of life, and so if you're really suffering then get Ambien off your doctor. But even while availing of these short-term quick fixes, I would still be looking into something more longterm.
Last thing: You should have the right attitude to not being able to sleep. For instance if you've just recently start seeing a bereavement counselor, then accept that you have willingly signed up for headaches and restless nights. Emotional resotration is not a pleasant experience, and so if you lie in bed at night trying to sleep then at least accept that this current process is productive and beneficial to you. But of course if it gets too much then take an Ambien.