Dealing with Night Terrors and Nightmares

If it's affecting your sleep a ton, it could be time to ask your doctor about a sleeping medication. Something as needed, perhaps. I just get myself as comfortable as possible and make my bed and room feel as safe as possible. So I might sleep with a lamp on but an eye mask on. I have a Warmies eye mask that has hot/cold therapy and aromatherapy. Oh! A weighted blanket helps a TON. Compression helps calm your nervous system and helps you feel safe and less exposed. You're less likely to toss and turn just from stress. Having white noise helps me as I'm waking up from a night terror because it lets me know immediately my environment is different from the dream. Drinking water helps in that same way. I really just give myself a lot of sympathy and patience, write down and talk out what I need to, and think of a positive memory associated with whatever was brought up in the dream. That usually ends up in me thinking of that positive memory/subject as I fall back asleep or finding something online related to it to occupy my time until I can get tired enough to try sleeping or decide to stay up.

Check out the Loona app for guided sleep journeys with a little coloring game. It’s very soothing and it plays music for 30 minutes after you finish I believe (it usually puts me right to sleep). Also, have you tried CBD supplements for sleep? They are pricey but I just tried them for the first time and they definitely relaxed me. In combination with aromatherapy, a cuddly toy, the Loona app, and some hot tea, I think the CBD will put me right to sleep next time I try it.

I have been taking clonidine for years and that helps- also ^ meditation before you sleep is huge. Make sure you’re not grinding your teeth, or get a dentek mouthguard- they’re silly but, it’s worth saving your enamel 🤗

I keep guided meditations playing all night long. They help my mind conscious or otherwise stay focused on something positive. There are so many free guided meditations on YouTube. I listen to ones by Sleepy Cat Meditations and The Honest Guys channel as well.