Do you have any tips/rules/tools to help insomnia and improve you're sleep ?

Question

Amy · Answer

Evening stretches: I love these evening stretches from Matty on Peloton. For me, it must be Matty. They’re gentle, and not too long. One of these before bed and I sleep so well.

Vera · Answer

AOR ortho sleep supplement: I’ve tried a million supplements and this is the only one that has ever helped. Make sure to check for interactions with meds / other shops!

Ruby · Answer

Bore me to sleep podcast: New Zealand guy with a monotonous voice reads old literature. I find it very soothing!

The other thing I do that often helps is to tell myself a story I know. If you use the same one every night you’ll find yourself struggling to make yourself tell it and it really starts to make your mind switch off earlier and earlier in.

Hannah Noah · Answer

Avoid PM alcohol: I've sadly found that even one glass of wine in the evening will reliably cause insomnia.

Lily I Johnson · Answer

Deep Calm tea from Niuka Tea: Delicious and this shit WORKS. Deeply calming and relaxing. The first time I tried it was at work and I was like uh oh it's NAP TIME. Anyway it's really yummy and the herbs are sourced impeccably.

Bethany Poteat · Answer

Super boring advice: I struggled with insomnia for years and years, finally I did what all the experts recommend… got blackout curtains with French rods that wrap around so my bedroom is pitch black, cut out 99% of caffeine (sob) and cut back to very very occasional alcohol consumption, I also try not to use screens after 8 or 9 … it was transformative.

Laura · Answer

We Can Do Hard Things Ep about sleep: It’s a great conversation about insomnia and how to treat it. Published 8/11/26

Baillie · Answer

“The game”: In one of Patti Smith’s books (I can’t remember which one) she writes about using a metal game to help her fall asleep. Pick a letter, start mentally listing all the words you can think of that begin with that letter. Don’t worry about mistakes or repeats just flow. I also do this when I’m getting blood drawn to help me not pass out 🤪

Jules · Answer

In Our Time BBC podcast: as someone who loves a racing thought, this is stodgy british people discussing something esoteric for 45 minutes gets my mind off whatever i’m circling the drain on

Maddy · Answer

Get up: I have a million recs because I've had severe insomnia since I was a teen. (I'm now medicated and everything.) But one of the things I've learned is that if I've been in bed for about thirty-ish minutes and can't relax, I need to get up. Do a no-screen activity: crafting, journaling, reading, whatever. Even if it doesn't calm me down enough to sleep, it's way less emotionally horrible than laying in the dark and being miserable. Good luck!

Maddy · Answer

Natural Vitality Calm Raspberry-Lemon Drink Mix: Life-changing drink mix to have before bed or whenever you're feeling anxious. Magnesium is amazing for relaxation.

Amu Killada · Answer

Insomnia cure: I’ve tried everything melatonin, magnesium supplements, white noise, different sheets and pillowcases, different lighting. But what actually made a difference was simply taking my sleep seriously.

I started using an Oura Ring and paying attention to my sleep data and metrics. Once I understood how much sleep I actually needed and when I needed to go to bed, it became much easier to prioritize it. Now, instead of thinking, “I should probably go to bed,” I can tell myself, “I need this sleep,” and actually follow through.

Jenn · Answer

Valerian Root Tea: sends me straight to sleep, 6pm coffee be damned

Sophie · Answer

Cold blanket & pillow case: Helps with migraines, hot flashes, and falling asleep FAST

Soph · Answer

Nothing much happens podcast for sleep: Or an audiobook of a book you already know pretty well. It lets the brain attach to a story so it can stay active… until… you fall asleep. No judgment on how long it takes. If you wake up at 2am you turn it back on and start the process over. Not medical advice but benedryl for a week or two only to get back in the rhythm has helped me. But you don’t wanna stay on it for too long.

Jamie · Answer

love of my life weighted blanket: almost makes me want to travel less because i can’t bring her with me

Teddy 🧸 · Answer

Brown Noise playlist: this also helps! If you are a light sleeper, this is blocks any background noise

Teddy 🧸 · Answer

Unisom: Whenever I need a good nights sleep, this REALLY works. Take it earlier than you think - like 8pm, and you will be out all night.

JZ · Answer

No devices in bedroom (except maybe a Kindle): Give your phones a nice storage/charge area in another room!

JZ · Answer

Stopping caffeine way earlier than you think :(: It’s sad because I love drinking coffee, but caffeine really hangs around a long time in our bodies, so cutting it off 8-10 hours before bedtime makes a different!

Also this photo illustration?!?

Dylan · Answer

Sleep Aroma Mist: lavendar, chamomile, jojoba. a lovely, more budget friendly alternative to this more fancy sleep mist.

Dylan · Answer

Silk Eye Mask: especially recommended for plane travel or any time you're going to be sleeping somewhere that's not your own bed!

Dylan · Answer

Magnesium & Aloe Vera Spray: perfect for helping you have sweeter sleeps and soothed muscles

Dylan · Answer

Nervous System Regulating Music: calming & soothing sounds perfect for anxious moments <3

Dylan · Answer

Exercise for better sleep: Sooo it turns out that sunshine, fresh air, and, in particular, moving my body are what help me sleep really well, and NOT 3 hours of doomscrolling in bed as I had previously hoped!!!

Dylan · Answer

Having the entire bed to yourself: no warm breath in my face

no snoring or sleep talking or farts waking me in the middle of the night

freedom to wriggle and squirm and stretch as i please

perfect ratio of bedding touching my body at all times

nobody turning on the light before i'm ready to rise

zero possibility of falling asleep in someone's arms and waking up unable to move your neck

it is the superior sleep time experience

Dylan · Answer

Relaxing Pillow Mist: Heavenly, luxurious, dreamy, indulgent, divine...

all words used to describe me. and coincidentally, also words i would use to describe this pillow mist. petitgrain, orange & rose.

not just for sleepy time. I spray this shit on clothes, bedding, cushions etc too. YUMMY

Dylan · Answer

Legs up the wall: i love a restorative inversion! the most delicious thing to do after a day spent on your feet, after a long-haul flight, or just for a calming evening ritual.

activate the parasympathetic nervous system, improve circulation, lymphatic drainage, reduce swelling/pain, relieve tension.

so simple, so good.