Trying a New Approach to Better Sleep

Have you ever had one of those nights when you just want to sleep, but your brain has other plans?

If you are living with a brain injury, you may already know how frustrating sleep can be. Maybe you sleep too much. Maybe you cannot fall asleep. Maybe you wake up over and over again. Or maybe your sleep changes from one period of your recovery to another.

In this video, Adeline talks honestly about her own struggle to get better sleep and her decision to try supplements suggested by a friend.

Adeline says something many brain injury survivors can probably relate to:

Sleep is extremely important when you have a brain injury.

When you are already dealing with fatigue, memory problems, emotional changes, pain, or cognitive challenges, poor sleep can make everyday life feel even harder.

So when someone suggests something that might help you sleep better, it can be tempting to think, “I’ll try anything.”

That’s exactly where Adeline found herself.

Adeline decided to try two HUM supplements.

She talks about the claims made on the packaging, including support for stress response, healthy cortisol levels, and focus.

She also discusses taking an evening supplement before bedtime.

But there’s an important distinction here.

These are claims associated with the products that Adeline discusses in her video, not proof that these supplements will improve sleep or brain injury symptoms.

Adeline is simply sharing what she decided to try and what happened for her.

After two nights, Adeline says she still woke up during the night.

But she was able to fall back asleep.

For someone struggling with sleep, even a small change like that can feel encouraging.

At the same time, two nights is not enough to know whether a supplement is actually responsible for a change in sleep.

Adeline was also taking progesterone, magnesium, and a prescription sleep medication, so there were several factors involved.

That’s why it’s important to be careful when trying to figure out what is helping.

If you’re struggling with sleep, you may have tried many different things already.

Maybe you’ve changed your bedtime routine.

Maybe you’ve tried supplements.

Maybe you’ve talked to your doctor.

Maybe you’ve tried medication.

Maybe you’ve simply spent countless nights hoping that tonight will finally be the night you sleep through.

If that’s you, please remember that your experience is your own.

What works for one person may not work for another.

And if you take prescription medication, don’t stop, reduce, or replace it because someone else says something worked for them.

If you’re thinking about adding a supplement, talk with your healthcare professional first. Some supplements can interact with medications or may not be appropriate for everyone.

Interestingly, Adeline’s concerns aren’t only about sleep.

She also notices how much packaging comes with these tiny supplements.

She points out the large bottles, the empty space, and the amount of plastic being used for a relatively small number of pills.

That gets her thinking about whether companies could create smaller, simpler, and less wasteful packaging.

It’s a good reminder that when we buy something, we can look beyond the product itself.

We can also ask:

How is it packaged?

How much waste does it create?

Could it be designed differently?

If you’re dealing with sleep problems after brain injury, you probably understand how much you can think about sleep.

You hope tonight will be better.

You try something new.

You wake up.

You check the clock.

You try to go back to sleep.

And sometimes you finally do.

Then the next morning, you start all over again.

It can be exhausting.

Adeline’s story reminds us that finding better sleep can be a process of paying attention, asking questions, working with your healthcare team, and figuring out what is safe and appropriate for you.

If you’re struggling with sleep right now, you’re not alone.

And you don’t have to find the perfect solution overnight.

Be curious about your sleep. Notice patterns. Write things down if that helps. Talk with your healthcare team. Ask questions about medications and supplements.

Most importantly, be patient with yourself.

Your brain and body are going through a lot.

Sometimes recovery means taking one night, one question, and one small step at a time. 💗

Watch the video that inspired this blog post:

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Note: Every brain injury is different. This content is for education and support, not medical advice.

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