I HATE it when I wake up too early. Especially when it's too close to alarm time to go back to sleep! My insomnia doesn't come at bed time, oh no, I fall asleep easily. In fact, my DH tells me that the average is about two minutes after my light is off before I'm sleeping. BUT, on the other end of sleep is where it kicks in. I've tried getting up and going for a walk when I wake up early. That just makes me want to go to bed earlier and shifts me to getting up earlier and earlier. I've tried just lying still and telling myself that resting is as good as sleeping. Yeah, right. I've tried getting up and walking around a bit, then going back to bed to try for more sleep but once I'm up, I'm really awake. Any more ideas???

I used to have a tape that I listened to that was very relaxing. It ran for about 45 minutes. I do not remember the name of it but a book store may have it.

I get up and sew. No use just laying around wide awake...rather do something productive and fun.

I made myself stay in bed for atleast 6 hours straight...sometimes you get into a bad sleep habit and it is hard to break. I also was advised not to exercise or eat within 3 hours of bedtime as that can interrupt sleep patterns.
Have you changed medications...over the counter meds, supplements? these can all contribute to sleeplessness, too.

I have insomnia also. Mine is just where I will wake up at some point in the sleep cycle. Some tricks that I have might work for you.

1. No caffeine after 4:00 pm.
2. A set bedtime, i.e. 10:30 pm. no excuses.
3. A set routine before bedtime: comb/brush hair; brush teeth, wash face, etc.
4. Good smelling sheets - lavender or other relaxing smells
5. Sleepy-time tea or relaxing herbal tea 30-45 minutes before bedtime.

If you wake back up, just get up. Sit up for a while. Don't stress over it. If you feel drowsy, go back and lie down in the bed.

You might want to try taking a low dose of melatonin & see if that helps.

Hope something here helps out.

Ambein does it for me!

I took that for a couple of weeks, the one that has the double agent in it worked awesome!!! One ingredient helps you go right to sleep, the other one keeps you asleep. Can you take this long term?

I need to be up and doing something for a good hour and a half, (reading, sewing, or ironing) then it's back to bed and go out light a light! :-)

Oh did you see the school bus driver on t.v. yesterday who passed out while driving due to his sleep medication he'd taken the night before? Colorado somewhere.

I listen to talk radio when I wake up in the middle of the night. Usually bores me back to sleep!

Renee