I've always been able to sleep for England. Even during the stress if my university Finals or when I had a nasty health scare in my twenties I could always, always sleep like a baby.
But then 2 years I became peri menopausal and all that changed. Literally overnight. The first night that I failed to fall asleep and lay there all night, watching the clock, I thought I was having some sort of mental health episode.
I was genuinely scared.
And then even when I was sleeping, the quality of my sleep was poor. Sort of felt thin and grey. I woke not feeling rested. I now really treasure a good night's sleep, when before I totally took it for granted. It's usual now for me to wake before 6am and be unable to drop back off to sleep.
I have tried various remedies. Benadryl. Piriton. Kalms Nightime. But nothing really works.
I have just sort of accepted it now. I either go and make myself a warm drink, move to the spare bed and read my Kindle and pretend I'm camping. Or I just lie there and deep breath and let my mind drift without 'trying' to sleep. I reassure myself that at least I am still resting.
I comfort myself that in a day or two I will get another good night's sleep and that takes the pressure off a bit.