# Non habit forming sleep aids that work for you **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 4, 2023, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-habit-forming-sleep-aids-that-work-for-you/982129 "2023-04-04T12:26:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-habit-forming-sleep-aids-that-work-for-you/982129/1 "2023-04-04T12:26:49Z")
I have no trouble falling asleep, but if something wakes me up during the night, like strong winds or my dog wandering around the house, I have trouble falling back to sleep. I get good exercise during the day, and have a regular nighttime routine. I’ve tried Melatonin, and they helps me fall asleep, but that’s not my problem. If I really need to sleep through the night I take two Tylenol PM and that always works, but they are habit forming just like Benadryl. Are there any natural remedies that might help me sleep through the night that you use that isn’t habit forming? Warm milk doesn’t seem to work for me. ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-habit-forming-sleep-aids-that-work-for-you/982129/2 "2023-04-04T12:37:25Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > I take two Tylenol PM and that always works, but they are habit forming just like Benadryl For the record, they basically ARE benadryl, plus acetaminophen. Both contain 25mg of diphenhydramine. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-habit-forming-sleep-aids-that-work-for-you/982129/3 "2023-04-04T12:48:25Z")
Rice krispies. Maybe it’s just me, but rice makes me sleepy - probably just the ‘carb coma’ thing. If I can’t sleep and nothing else works, a bowl of rice krispies sometimes does the trick. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-habit-forming-sleep-aids-that-work-for-you/982129/4 "2023-04-04T13:18:14Z")
As mentioned elsewhere I watch chess videos both to fall asleep and to get back asleep if something woke me up. I cannot remember the last time I got to the end of a 20 min video, I’m always out before then. So I recommend videos or podcasts, obviously with volume / brightness down to lowest possible level. ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-habit-forming-sleep-aids-that-work-for-you/982129/5 "2023-04-04T13:44:20Z")
I mentioned this weird thing in another post. There is a pressure point about a half inch or so below the space between your big toe and second toe. Run your finger from the space down and apply pressure with your finger in small circles. You will feel almost a whoosh of calmness in your chest. I know it sounds hokey but it usually helps me get back to sleep. I also use white or pink noise. There are a million phone apps that have those and other sounds to help you sleep. I used to love my PMs - I used them for years. I’d only take one just to help me get to sleep but I started worrying that taking acetaminophen every day wasn’t good for my liver. I stopped taking them about 6 months ago and haven’t had an issue with falling asleep. I know that they contain the same thing as Benadryl but for some reason when I took Benadryl I felt woozy the next morning. I never had that issue with PMs. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-habit-forming-sleep-aids-that-work-for-you/982129/6 "2023-04-04T13:49:07Z")
> [@Turek](#): > > For the record, they basically ARE benadryl, plus acetaminophen. Both contain 25mg of diphenhydramine. I believe liquid “sleep aids” contain an antihistamine and do _not_ contain acetaminophen. (Unless you’re in pain, I highly suggest not taking any acetaminophen.) I use this stuff occasionally, and it works well for me. I just take a half-dose. Melatonin also works well for me. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-habit-forming-sleep-aids-that-work-for-you/982129/7 "2023-04-04T14:01:40Z")
There’s a breathing technique that’s supposed to be a reliable cure for insomnia, and for anxiety in general. I’ve tried it to help myself sleep when I wake up at 3 am and can’t get back to sleep, but it just makes me too distractedly aware of the fact that I need to constantly breathe, or die. Doesn’t mean it can’t help others, though: > **[4-7-8 breathing: How it works, benefits, and uses](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324417)** > > The 4-7-8 breathing technique, or relaxation breath, is a method for reducing anxiety and promoting sleep. When I wake up in the middle of the night and can’t fall back asleep, which happens fairly regularly, I just get my Kindle, set the light as dim as possible, and read until I get sleepy again. Sometimes it takes a couple hours. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-habit-forming-sleep-aids-that-work-for-you/982129/8 "2023-04-04T14:03:33Z")
I use L-Tryptophan - [Amazon.com](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ROB4WM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1) I have no problem getting to sleep, but it seems to help me sleep more soundly without waking up and just laying there. I use it anywhere between 3 times a week to about every other month. Sort of depends on life and what my brain decides to pester me about. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-habit-forming-sleep-aids-that-work-for-you/982129/9 "2023-04-04T15:24:54Z")
I use a commercial product called Midnite, which contains melatonin and “a proprietary blend of herbs” which I suspect includes valerian, but they don’t say. I don’t usually have trouble falling asleep, but when I do I use this. I have to use it early in the night because it knocks me out\* for pretty well the whole 8 hours, so it’s not good (for me) for trouble getting back to sleep after being awakened. I think I would have trouble getting up in the morning if I took it in the middle of the night. \*by which I mean that I will (for example) get up to use the bathroom as needed but I don’t “wake up” and I go right back to sleep when I get back in bed. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-habit-forming-sleep-aids-that-work-for-you/982129/10 "2023-04-04T15:29:21Z")
We’ve got a white noise machine which blocks out almost all outside noise. My wife has a problem falling back to sleep if she wakes up in the middle of the night too, so we recently got a weighted blanket and this has helped her immensely. She says she’s sleeping better than she has in years. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-habit-forming-sleep-aids-that-work-for-you/982129/11 "2023-04-04T17:11:39Z")
Thanks everyone. Lots of great ideas I can try. I really appreciate it. ---
**Author:** ![Wincerind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@Wincerind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wincerind)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-habit-forming-sleep-aids-that-work-for-you/982129/12 "2023-04-04T17:22:42Z")
Same problem, I listen to audiobooks or podcasts on headphones to prevent my thoughts from keeping me awake. Try the mildly interesting ones. If it doesn’t help you sleep, at least you’re not bored by your own thoughts running in circles. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-habit-forming-sleep-aids-that-work-for-you/982129/13 "2023-04-04T17:54:01Z")
A weighted blanket made all the difference for me. I could go back to sleep, after getting up in the night, but not deep enough sleep to be restorative. ---
**Author:** ![Tarataratara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Tarataratara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarataratara)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-habit-forming-sleep-aids-that-work-for-you/982129/14 "2023-04-04T18:48:43Z")
Cold room and a weighted blanket ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-habit-forming-sleep-aids-that-work-for-you/982129/15 "2023-04-04T20:43:30Z")
As I mentioned in the thread about the show Night Agent, a nice slow dull TV show will put me to sleep. Very important not to get interested in what happens. ---
**Author:** ![hopesperson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e95f7d/32.png) [@hopesperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hopesperson)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-habit-forming-sleep-aids-that-work-for-you/982129/16 "2023-04-04T20:54:16Z")
There are a number of apps available that tell long, boring shaggy dog stories in a calming voice, or quietly read boring books. One of my favorites reads a very long excerpt from a turn-of-the-20th Century book about embroidery. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-habit-forming-sleep-aids-that-work-for-you/982129/17 "2023-04-04T20:58:56Z")
Anything that works to help you sleep can be habit forming, at least psychologically. Of course, the habit of a warm bath or specific snack might be considered differently from a medicine. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-habit-forming-sleep-aids-that-work-for-you/982129/18 "2023-04-04T21:00:07Z")
Thanks, but as I mentioned I have never have a problem falling asleep.The problem is that if I wake up for any reason it’s takes me 30-60 minutes to fall back to sleep. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-habit-forming-sleep-aids-that-work-for-you/982129/19 "2023-04-04T21:40:13Z")
But as I say, the right kind of tranquil media can put you back to sleep again. If something wakes me up, I put on my chess video again and the next morning wonder who won the game. [Here’s an example](https://youtu.be/tBcZVSZlck4) if you want to try it 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2023, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-habit-forming-sleep-aids-that-work-for-you/982129/20 "2023-04-04T21:54:19Z")
I watched it and almost fell asleep sitting at my desk. Well played! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-habit-forming-sleep-aids-that-work-for-you/982129.md?page=2)