Insomnia Treatment Tips

Are you one of the over 50% of adults who suffer from insomnia? This lack of sleep that occurs on a regular basis may be a result of stress, depression, disease, your diet or other factors. Rather than taking an over-the-counter remedy containing antihistamines that can leave you feeling groggy the next day, consider natural remedies, some of which may address the root of your sleep problems.

Valerian, an herbal nutritional remedy available over-the-counter, affects the amount of the calming neurotransmitter GABA. The dietary supplement tryptophan, which often causes drowsiness after eating that Thanksgiving turkey, is known to increase serotonin, another neurotransmitter associated with sleep. When taken before bedtime, the hormone melatonin, found naturally in the body, can help with disturbances in the sleep/wake cycle. Other treatments include acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine. Consult a doctor to find out about side effects and contraindications before trying these remedies.

Are your lifestyle choices affecting your sleep? Avoid excessive amounts of caffeine, found not only in coffee and tea, but in chocolate, some soft drinks, and cold medicines. Eat a healthy diet containing magnesium-rich foods such as dark leafy green vegetables, legumes and seeds, almonds, and whole grains, and limit sweets, which can throw off blood sugar levels and disrupt sleep. Regular exercise has been shown to relieve muscle tension and stress, and incorporating 20 minutes of relaxation techniques such as yoga or visualization can help you fall asleep faster and feel more rested.

Finally, consider playing gentle, slow music at bedtime or increasing your exposure to light during the day. Also, the smell of a few drops of lavender oil in a bath or handkerchief has been shown to have sedative qualities, usually with women. A few adjustments like these may be all you need for a more restful night.

This entry was posted on Monday, December 8th, 2008 at 7:42 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.