6 Tips to Fall Asleep and Stay Asleep with MS

Members of the Bezzy MS community share their favorite sleep hacks for a better night’s rest.

65 to 80% of people with MS report fatigue as one of their main symptoms. While a lack of rest does not always cause fatigue, sleeping better can help fight MS-related fatigue and boost your overall health.

If you have consistent sleepless nights, talk with your doctor. Treating MS symptoms that can cause difficulty sleeping — like restless leg syndrome, bladder dysfunction, and a vitamin D deficiency –— can help you rest easier.

Members of the Bezzy MS community understand how difficult it can be to get a good night’s sleep. Here are their favorite tips and tricks to fall asleep and stay asleep.

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Handle it as it comes

“I just decided to deal with my sleep issues as they come. I go to sleep when I’m sleepy, get up when I’m awake, and then sleep again when I’m tired. I accomplish a lot.” — Verna

Meditate

“I meditate before I go to sleep. I wake up 2 or 3 times during the night, so I meditate some more until I doze off again. It has helped me relax.” — Anonymous

Do yoga

“I found that Yoga is great for me — the stretching more than the spiritual side of it — so I guess stretching is the key. I’m a complete hack at it and often get my lefts and rights mixed up, but I really feel like it helps me sleep at night.” — Tinns

Try medicianal cannabis

“I work like 10 hours a day. When I come home, I make sure everyone is asleep, and then I smoke some marijuana. That helps.” — JNelson57

Take a hot shower

“I stumbled upon a very simple technique. I hate cold showers, but I’ve been taking more since the summer heat has been exhausting for my MS. At night, I do the opposite and take a long hot shower. It exhausts me, so once I moisturize, I’m really tired and go right to sleep!” — NickyCole

Listen to an audiobook

“My sleeping medication is audiobooks. I keep the sound low but loud enough that I can hear it. I set the timer for an hour and listen to a great book. Sometimes that timer gets reset a few times, but I have something to focus on, and that seems to help.” — Sissymarie

The takeaway

Finding what sleep hacks work best for you may be a process of trial and error. The key is to find an activity that relaxes you. Talk with your doctor if natural and at-home remedies aren’t doing the trick.

If you want to find more tips for better sleep, visit the Wellness forum at Bezzy MS. You’re not on this journey alone.