No Sleep Til Br... Melatonin!

An update about my sleep schedule and for anyone else who struggles to maintain routine sleep patterns.  It's not that I don't like being awake late, I do, and it's not that I have anywhere I need to be in the morning getting me out of bed at the moment, because I don't, but after I was awake watching the sunrise, I had had enough.  After speaking to several different people, and researching natural remedies I went to Wegmans and found two supplements to try. Valerian Root, used for anxiety and insomnia; and Melatonin, used to help regulate the sleeping/waking cycle, maintaining the bodies circadian rhythm. 

I have been taking both about an hour or two before falling asleep, about an hour before I get into bed and read. It helps me fall asleep, staying asleep isn't the problem for me, but I know that it helps those who get up and down a lot to not wake up as often.  When I wake in the morning, I feel a bit groggy at first, but nothing like the hangover-like quality of taking something like Tylenol PM, which when I have a really hard time sleeping due to my back hurting, I take, but didn't want to make it a habit.

So, if you are struggling with sleep, I suggest trying these (but talk to your doctor first).  By no means am I an expert, but I don't have a regular doctor, and even when I did, I do my own research.  There are risks involved, possible side-effects, but that comes with anything I've ever been prescribed before too. If you don't think I'll chance it for a good night sleep, dream on! (pun intended).