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Sleep is very important for the body, enabling the body to repair the wastages of the day and to replenish energy. It is the body's self-repair mechanism to prepare itself for the mental and physical rigors of the next day. People vary in their requirements, but a good working minimum is eight hours for an adult; children need more, and the elderly need perhaps only five to six hours.
All in all, sleep is absolutely essential and the lack of it can often lead to feeling tired, lethargy, listless and in extreme conditions even hallucinations.
Inability to sleep is a tiring condition. It is a very common problem, having very often much more simple causes than one may expect.
First make sure your bed is comfortable. The mattress and pillows should be of a good quality and shouldn't be too hard or too soft. Bedclothes should be warm and not heavy. The bedroom should be clean, well ventilated and as quiet as possible.
In some cases, worrying over insomnia has a more serious effect than the original complaint itself! Try to relax while going to bed. It is no use taking the worries of the day to bed and expecting sleep. It is also pointless to go to bed worrying about whether you will be able to sleep or not. Put your worries aside, make yourself comfortable and make a conscious effort to relax.
For those troubled by sleeplessness, heavy meals and stimulating drinks like tea and coffee should be avoided at night. It has been observed that a glass of warm milk induces sleep, if the cause of insomnia is worry. Often simple remedies such as covering the eyes, to keep out the light or the use of earplugs to keep out the noise do the trick. Thinking happy thoughts, a sexless cuddle of one's mate or intercourse can also be very helpful. You may also consider taking a break and going on a holiday.
Raw onion is known to be beneficial in inducing sleep if consumed daily. A slight dab of cologne beneath your nostrils also has the same effect. A hot shower after a hard day's work and simple deep breathing can be very effective. People require less sleep as they grow older and shouldn't worry if they are sleeping less. But if the problem is sudden or is more severe, you should see a doctor as insomnia can also be a symptom of other disorders.
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