@eden, I'm really glad you started this topic dedicated to natural sleep aids. Members have talked about different non-medicated sleep aids throughout various discussions. But like you, I was surprised to see few discussions dedicated to the topic. For the record, here are a some others:

- Getting to Sleep https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sleep-2/
- Weighted blankets to improve sleep quality https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/weighted-blankets-to-improve-sleep-quality/
- Tired of waking up at 2am.. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tired-of-waking-up-at-2am/
- Sleep Hygiene https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sleep-hygine/
- Intermittent Sleep https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/intermittent-sleep/

Like you, Eden, I don't have trouble falling asleep, but I don't stay asleep. Even if woken from a deep sleep to use the toilet, I find it hard to fall back asleep. My mind simply thinks it's time to start working and my thought patterns are rarely sleep-inducing. I've started listening to podcasts when I wake up in the middle of the night. I use Google podcasts that allow me to set a timer. I usually set it for 30 minutes. Even if I'm still awake, the podcast has switched off my active thinking and I'm able to fall asleep again, much like if I were to have read. But this way I don't turn on a light. I set my phone to low light before going to bed and have the podcast queued up and ready to go. Oddly enough I found stories or information broadcasts to put me to sleep better than meditative music created to be sleep inducing. They drive me batty.

I look forward to gathering more tips from members in this discussion.