What are some ways to cope with insomnia from quitting smoking, aside from taking sleep aids?

That didn’t happen to me, but I would say yes, try to ride it out. Your system has to make a pretty big adjustment. Give it time.

Congratulations on making it this far. It does get easier. Hang in there.

It did happen to me. Not as quickly as it has with you. I would wake up after a few hours totally refreshed and not able to sleep. It went on for quite a while. I didn’t mind so much because I could get some study done when it was quiet.

I agree you should avoid chemical interventions to try to sleep. Perhaps stay up a little later. Have a drink of warm milk and perhaps a bath before you go to bed. Get into a routine to help you go to sleep and sleep deeply. It will pass. It did go on for a while with me.

Here’s a list of foods that have the highest contents of Tryptophan.

Congratulations.
Maybe use that excess energy toward some exhausting cardio. Exercise and endorphins will both be great for you right now, and might make it easier to sleep.
Try some Valerian pills. You can get them in the herb/supplement section of any pharmacy. It’s a gentle root herb that calms your mind and gives you more restful sleep. I have been using it on and off for insomnia or restlessness since high school. It’s not addictive.
Best of luck to you.

I take Melatonin & 5HTP each night. I also was an insomniac from childhood on. I now sleep about 7hrs per night (it fluctuates).

My best tips would be to calm your body in the same ways each night.
Have you tried Epsom salt baths?
Wearing socks when you sleep?
Running white noise or wearing ear plugs?

More exercise can help, or just being out on your feet all day, if you usually spend most of your day sitting. Even spending a few hours out by the pool in the heat. Basically being more exhausted will give you a better sleep probably. I just experienced this again on vacation, I had forgotten what it is like to get into bed when I am so exhausted; I hadn’t felt glued to the bed like that in a long time.

Also, make sure you aren’t taking in more caffeine now that you aren’t smoking.

Have you replaced smoking with another behavior? Smoking is sort of a stimulant and a depressant. You probably are missing it’s calming effects, and of there is something else that is calming for you possibly you can substitute that behavior for the smoking. A lot of people pick eating without realizing it. Which I don’t suggest.

Also, make sure you are doing everything right for good sleep. Feet are warm and the room is dark.

Thanks, I’m sleeping now.

Apparently it’s common and normal, for whatever reason it hit me really hard. Perhaps because I’m prone to insomnia anyhow? The last few days I was feeling very sleep deprived and dragging, I was so tired and foggy, but I am back to sleeping well. Or, better than I was for a while there.

Thanks.

^ But you’re still not smoking! Well done you. You made it through without giving in.

@Bellatrix thank you! :)
I’m awake again… haha, but I’m much less grumpy about it because I had a good sleep in there. Still smoke free! I even had a few beers with friends the other night and not even the tiniest bit of temptation to smoke and almost everyone I know is a smoker, including all of my friends from that gathering. I feel pretty confident that I’ve got this. 16 days today.