subject: Tips to Fight Insomnia [print this page] Tips to Fight Insomnia Tips to Fight Insomnia
Insomnia can be a terribly disturbing ailment and one that can lead to other problems. People suffering from insomnia, particularly when it is prolonged, can be hazard to themselves and others. Not only can insomnia wreak havoc on your life, but it can lead to a host of other issues for society, including motor vehicle and heavy machinery accidents, lost work productivity and poor overall performance.
If you are one of the millions of people having a hard time getting to or staying asleep you might want to consider some of the tips below. Preventing insomnia is an important component of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Exercise. There is simply no better cure for being unable to fall asleep than tiring out the body with some good old fashioned exercise. Because so many of us spend a great deal of time in front of the computer or using our minds in some ways for our work, rather than getting outside and using our bodies, we can become overly stimulated on the mental level. Exercise will not only help tire us out therefore, but it will also help relieve the stress of the mind by bringing you back to your body.
Meditation. For the same reasons outlined above, meditation can help to sooth an overactive mind. If you can learn to quiet the mind during meditation this can go a long way to helping you do so when it comes time to sleep. If stress or worry is keeping you awake, consider trying an evening meditation class in order to gain a little quiet and inner peace before bed.
Avoid all Stimulants. If you're suffering from insomnia, one of the most basic things you can do is to cut out coffee, caffeinated tea and other stimulating substances such as soda pop, sugar and even television. Cutting out these substances will help your body avoid over stimulation. Television before bed is also included in this list because watching high drama shows can make you to excited physiologically thereby interfering with your ability to calm down and relax.
Darkness. Finally, ensure that your bedroom is adequately dark. Melatonin is produced in the body when darkness comes, so if your bedroom is too light or there is too much daylight coming in the windows this can interfere with your ability to fall asleep. Invest in some heavy drapes or blinds in order to ensure that your sleeping space is thoroughly sleep friendly.
Because insomnia can occasionally be a sign of other health problems be sure to consult your physician should these simple remedies be unable to help you. You might also want to try some over the counter sleep aids, such as melatonin, skullcap, or St. John's Wort, especially before taking any prescription medications.
