Insomnia Remedies

Insomnia is basically a chronic difficulty in either falling asleep or staying asleep, in spite of having the need and urge to sleep, and in spite of there being no obvious disturbances to your sleep. Although insomnia is often spoken of as a disorder or medical condition in itself, it is actually a symptom of some underlying problem. The underlying problem could be stress, anxiety, hormonal fluctuations or imbalances (including conditions such as hyperthyroidism) or a neurological condition. A variety of psychological conditions and drug abuse, including abuse of prescription drugs such as sleeping pills, too, are common causes of insomnia. Excessive consumption of substances such as caffeine, alcohol, various herbs, and even the use of certain medications may also make it difficult to fall asleep. With such a wide variety of causes, remedies for insomnia must of course be tailored to each case and must address the underlying problem.

Natural Treatment for Insomnia

In cases where there is a health condition such as hyperthyroidism or neurological dysfunction, only successful treatment of this condition will produce satisfactory results. In the meantime, medical treatment may be needed, but it should be used only as a last resort. Some simple strategies can often be of great help, and there are also a variety of therapies that do not use medication. For temporary problems, such as for example a period of financial stress, or a cyclical problem, such as that experienced by many women just before menstruation, such treatments are particularly effective, and without side effects. First of all, you must take some basic measures that are often described as “sleep hygiene”. This includes establishing a proper routine for sleeping, one that matches your body clock. In addition, you should ensure that your sleeping environment is suitable – excessive light in the room, sudden or loud noises, an uncomfortable mattress or pillow and excessively high or low temperatures can all make it difficult to sleep, and are usually easily avoided. It is also advisable to restrict your bed and possibly your entire bedroom to being a sleeping area. Avoid using it for any other activities at all. Another helpful strategy is to avoid any stressful or exciting activities towards bed time. As bedtime approaches, you should wind down your day – perform less demanding, more relaxing activities. Avoid drinking alcohol or coffee; instead, have a glass of milk about fifteen minutes before going to bed. A little light aerobic exercise early in the evening may also help – however, ensure that this is not done too close to bedtime, or it will increase your metabolic rate and make it harder for you to fall asleep. Finally, avoid stressing over your insomnia – if you find it difficult to sleep, spend a few minutes reading or watching TV – something light of course!