Insomnia is, simply put, the lack of sleep. Regardless of the reasons you might not be sleeping right now, you have to know that insomnia is not something that will hold you prisoner. There are some real steps you can take to be sure that you start to sleep again. Here are just some of the things you can do to get rid of insomnia.
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.
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.
What you eat and drink before bedtime can have big effect on eliminating insomnia. Avoid alcohol, caffeinated drinks and heavy meals within 3 hours of your regular bedtime. If there is a prescription medication that you are taking that may cause wakefulness, discuss a better time to take that medication with your doctor.
Don’t automatically reach for prescription medicine when you can’t fall asleep, as this can quickly become a dangerous habit. Insomnia is often temporary or simply due to something stressful going on in your life. Try other things first, like warm milk or a bath, and make sure you get an okay from your doctor before trying the heavy stuff.
Snoring, either your own or your partner’s, can be a major cause of insomnia. To promote a restful night’s sleep, speak with your doctor to eliminate the cause of your snoring. Keeping your bedroom properly humidified can ease congestion in nasal passages and reduce the snoring that keeps you from sleeping.
If you face depression, insomnia is likely a side effect of your disease. In people who have depression-based insomnia, adding a 5-HTP supplement to their daily regimen helped them not only fall asleep faster, but also sleep through the night and to feel more rested when they woke in the morning.
Being bored can actually make way for its own stress and anxiety. Give yourself something to look forward to each day and to get excited about. Schedule an event for your future and when lying in bed, think about how great or fun that event will be. You can find local events in your newspaper or just plan a gathering of friends and family.
The ideal temperature for your room when sleeping is slightly colder at 60-65 degrees. Why? This helps you relax, while warmer temperatures will cause you to toss and turn. So, instead of adjusting the temperature away from this number, add or remove blankets accordingly. This helps you be able to get comfortable and get to sleep.
It is easy with the busy days you have to be thinking a mile a minute about different things when trying to go to sleep. Try to focus your thoughts on peaceful scenery or gentle thoughts. Try to clear your mind to keep from thinking about disturbing issues. Visualize peaceful scenery instead.
If your room temperature is far too warm, there is a chance that this will make it hard for you to sleep. While you want your room to be at a great comfort level, avoid cranking up the heat when it is time for bed. It should be at a neutral temperature and you can cozy under the blankets if you need more heat.
Steer clear of excessive carbs and look to increase protein intake instead. Too many midday carbohydrates can cause those unwanted naps that will end up keeping you up at night.
For your afternoon snack, avoid eating foods which are processed. Instead, eat some fresh fruit, yogurt or nuts. This will give you the energy boost you need without leaving you crashing or affected by high levels of sodium. Both situations can cause you to have trouble falling asleep at night.
Research shows that getting plenty of natural light during the day helps you sleep better at night. Instead of staying in the office at lunch, eat outside. Don’t wear sunglasses. Keep the windows open in your office, letting the light hit your face. You can even buy a light box if you live in a place that gets little light in the winter.
After reading all the tips laid out here, you should feel better about your insomnia. There are a lot of people out there who have a hard time sleeping as you do, and if you can work on using the tips in this article, you won’t be one of them for long. Good luck!
