How can I improve my sleep without meds

[GordoScooby]

I have stopped using zyprexa, which I was given in 2010 for close to a month now, but my sleep has struggled.  I don't feel well rested and I sleep 4 maybe 5 hours per night.  Sometimes, I get 6.  It's really frustrating because I use to sleep 8 hours solid before my mental issues.  

[weaver71]

I had about 1 1/2 years of trouble sleeping. No med worked or really even helped. What I ended up doing, and I'm not sure this is why I balanced out, but I took melatonin for awhile. It didn't work at first, but I kept doing taking it at the same time every night. I would make it silent and totally dark at that time as well. I would meditate, and waited. I was attempting to reset my circadian rhythm. Melatonin is the chemical our body is supposed to make every night, when our regular sleep time is. I had to set that time and keep trying and trying, but I finally sleep more and have stopped melatonin. I am hoping, assuming, maybe it's just luck, but I reset my unconscious schedule by routine and diligence. Again, not sure my practice made this happen, or it would have happened anyway, but that is how I dealt with it. I still wake up at 4 am, sometime earlier. I don't get a prefect night sleep every night, nobody does, but I think I did find a better balance for keeping my mind rested, which is essential for me to present a severe manic episode.

[bypolarbear]

I have chronic insomnia for over 20 years.  I took 35 years for anyone to finally diagnosis my bipolar.   I tried everything over the counter,  but nothing worked.   I know you want natural remedies, but I had to resort to Ambien.  I tried the name brand and started sleepwalking.  I switched to generic and it works great.  I was on 10 MG but now on 5.  I  am also ADD so I had to go strong.  Sometimes you can ween yourself off meds.

[CRSeaside]

Sorry. You asked without meds. No answer for that. I'm having trouble too.

[CRSeaside]

I don't take it now, but the best med I've taken is Seaquell & with Zonisimide.

[OutlandishDC]

ZQuil is a non habit forming one that worked well for me before I was prescribed.  What happened that caused you to feel that you have mental issues?  Also simple things such as getting up at the same time everyday and laying down for bed at the same time everyday will build a routine for your body.  Do not watch TV before bed, read instead if you are feeling restless.

[Crystal413]

My pdoc suggested melatonin over the counter. A natural sleep aide. It has been helping me. Not back to where I was but much better than two hrs sleep at most, at a time.

[breakdance202]

Eagerly await answer to this. unisom did not work. Two to three hours a night for me lately.