Insomnia seems to strike when you least expect it. When you already feel badly enough not to sleep, it seems like a cruel fate that insomnia brings with it side effects including additional stress and anxiety. Put a stop to the insanity by learning all you can from the text below.

One method of preventing insomnia is to make your bed a place that is just for sleeping. Don’t take your paperwork from the job to bed, don’t make long phone calls, and don’t pay bills in bed. It is also best to eliminate TV watching in your bed if you want to sleep well.

Figure out how best to reduce your anxieties. Exercising every morning can help reduce stress. However, late night exercise will not help you sleep at all. Practice meditation or yoga just before bed in the evening. These activities are perfect to calm a racing mind.

Try drinking some herbal tea right before bed. Herbal tea has ingredients in it that help you relax. It can help relieve insomnia caused by stress and anxiety. Camomile tea is a good choice, as well as anise, fennel or even catnip! It’s a smart habit to get into to help get the best sleep you can.

If your doctor prescribes sleeping medication, take it exactly as the label says. Sleep medicine should be taken right before bedtime because they are designed to act quickly. Never drive after taking a sleeping pill. Never drink alcohol while taking sleeping pills. If you decide to quit taking your medication, talk to your doctor first.

You may not be aware that night noises are keeping you awake. The hum of the refrigerator. The boom of the furnace kicking in. Even the tick-tock of the clock, or your partner’s snoring can ruin any chance of restful sleep. Try wearing some earplugs to see if drowning out the noise gets you to sleep faster.

Insomniacs may benefit from warm milk, but some cannot tolerate dairy. A great alternative would be some herbal tea. Herbal tea is all natural and won’t cause the discomfort milk can cause some people. Look around for a special blend that targets your needs specifically, if necessary.

Create a diary with your sleep patterns to find any problems that you could be having. Include all of the foods that you ate during the day. Compare what your day was like to the amount of sleep that you got that night. By understanding what factors help you get more or less rest, you can make necessary changes.

Make sure that you follow medication directions directly for the best results. Even if you feel like a medication isn’t working, taking more than directed can really make things even more difficult. Some sleeping medications are addictive, and some have negative side effects when you take too many of them.

The average mattress is only good for 8 years. After that time, your mattress may be lumpy or not giving you the support you need. Even if it seems OK, it may be a haven for dust mites and dead skin cells. This could also cause an allergic reaction which can keep you from sleeping well.

Find out if music helps. Sometimes, going asleep without noise can seem odd. Try soft music near your bed, and see if that helps you rest enough to fall asleep. You may need to search through a few different bands and a few different kinds of music before you settle on something nice.

Cognitive behavioral therapy and hypnosis are two techniques that may help you get the rest you need. A cognitive behavioral therapist can help you understand the reasons why you don’t sleep well. You will learn how to create a peaceful sleep environment and strategies for dealing with stress so you’re not so anxious at night.

Beating insomnia can be accomplished through a regular schedule. Your body will function like a computer when it is programmed to respond to a set schedule. When you program your body to certain patterns, such as sleeping, waking and activities, you can more easily find yourself tired at night and ready to sleep.

For those taking 5-HTP supplements as a sleep aid, a 100mg dosage may be the right amount. This is a low dose, but is effective in helping depressive people sleep better. Speak to your family doctor before taking anything.

Do you catch yourself waking with every little noise in the house? You might want to try some ear plugs. Blocking out all noises in your room will help you sleep undisturbed for longer periods of time. You never know, this might give you an entire night sleep for a few cents.

You must help yourself stay healthy by getting enough sleep every night. If you follow the tips above, you should be able to retrain your body into getting a good night’s sleep from now on. The effort you put in will be repaid through night after night of deep, restful sleep.