When Counting Sheep Isn’t Enough

Tossing and turning. Checking the clock. Watching everyone else in the house sleep peacefully. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Insomnia affects roughly one in three adults and becomes more common with age. Stress, chronic pain, certain medications, and unpredictable work schedules are some of the biggest culprits.

When those late-night awakenings hit, many are tempted to reach straight for a sleep aid. But before grabbing a medication, it’s worth taking a step back and figuring out what’s causing the sleep disruption in the first place. Simple lifestyle adjustments can make a surprising difference. For example, limiting caffeine after noon, putting screens away before bedtime, and keeping your room dark and cool can improve sleep quality. Sure, these habits may mean turning in a little earlier, but they go a long way in helping the body wind down naturally.

Beyond sleep hygiene basics, over-the-counter options can help support both falling and staying asleep. One popular choice is melatonin supplements. Melatonin is a hormone our brains release in response to darkness, signaling it’s time to rest. That makes it especially helpful for travel-related sleep issues, like jet lag. In addition, magnesium supplements are another option that may help relax your body, allowing for sleep to come on more naturally. Antihistamines such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and Unisom (doxylamine) are other handy insomnia aids, as they have direct sedative effects. Some caution should be used with these antihistamines, as they can often cause leftover drowsiness and grogginess the next day. Consequently, it is not recommended to depend on them nightly, especially in older adults.

While these OTC products can offer short-term relief, they’re not always the best choice for everyone. A quick chat with the pharmacist can help determine the most appropriate option based on your health, medications, and sleep patterns.

If sleep has become a nightly struggle, the team at Axtell Pharmacy is here to answer your questions, review your medications, and offer personalized sleep solutions so you can wake up ready for the day ahead.

By: Nyah MacCarthy, 4th year student pharmacist – TTUHSC Intern at Axtell Pharmacy, Pilot Point