subject: Simple Insomnia Help [print this page] There are natural remedies for insomnia and sleeping difficulties. They may not work for all of us, but it makes sense to start trying the simple things first and see if it works. These tips might just be all you need.
You want to know why Mr. Sandman has taken you off of his route. You really want to find ways to get a good nights sleep. If you are being plagued by sleep disorders, including insomnia, it is time to start thinking of solutions, starting with natural sleep remedies, for example aromatherapy.
Then, before you reach for an over the counter sleeping aid or call the doctor for a sleeping pill, it is better if you start with the simple things first. Sometimes the easiest and most obvious suggestions are the best to try.
First, make sure that your room is at the right temperature and is dark enough. One woman I knew always slept badly, until one night her alarm clock was unplugged by mistake. That night she had a really good nights sleep. Many alarm clocks have very bright, dazzling read-outs, and she didn't realize it was disturbing her sleep. If you are bothered by light try to make your bedroom dark. People are all different - there are people who can sleep outside in a garden chair in bright sunlight.
Your bedroom should be cool - not cold. If you are shivering from cold then you won't sleep. Again, some people are more sensitive to temperature than others. For instance, some people cannot sleep at all, if their feet are cold. I can't, socks are "high fashion" in winter!
Lastly, eliminate any annoying sounds: dogs barking, the dripping faucet that the plumber claimed to have repaired, anything that might be bothersome enough, that you will not be able to sleep at all. You need quiet in order to sleep, so think "ear plugs" or a "white noise machine". Even a fan will drown some of these sounds out and will circulate the air in the room as well.
Some people have an evening bath. Unless you're working rolling shifts try to stick to a firm and regular routine. This means going to bed at the same time every night and getting up at the same time every morning.
Whenever you change your routine, try to keep some essential aspects the same, even if it is during the day. If you are waking up at night because you are hungry, as is a common problem with dieters, then consider having a small snack before your bath. A good snack idea before bed is a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread and a glass of milk. The tryptophan from the turkey is helpful in fighting sleeplessness and your body will work on the food's digestion while you are asleep. But not a big meal, that'll have the opposite effect!
And finally, make some notes about the nights when you're experiencing sleeping difficulties. Was your day more stressful than usual? Did you feel stressed?
Note how many nights you're having sleep problems? Have your sleeping remedies lost their effect? Once you have found yourself unable to help yourself at all, it is time to have a doctor, evaluate you for physical conditions that might be leading to your problem.
If your sleeping problems are not physical - having rheumatism, or arthritis, for example, consider tackling your thinking.
