Do you lay awake at night tossing and turning, waiting impatiently to fall asleep? It is estimated that over 40 million Americans are afflicted with insomnia, sleeplessness, or other sleeping disorders. Does it take you forever to fall asleep, or if you do you are not getting the sleep you need because you are prone to waking up in the middle of the night, not sleeping long enough and not being able to fall back asleep. Of course when you are not getting the sleep you need you become irritable, fatigued, depressed and many other symptoms of insomnia. Insomnia treatment may require sleep aids or other techniques to help you overcome insomnia.
Things That Lead To Insomnia
- The use of to many stimulants such as coffee, soda, energy drinks, and over the counter energy pills
- Hot flashes that interrupt your sleep
- Side affects from medications you are using might be affecting your sleeplessness
- Urinary tract infections
- Anxiety, emotional stress
- To much activity in the household or in your bedroom
- Lack of exercise
- Allergies
- Depression, or other mental illness
- Physical injuries or chronic pain
There are several remedies for overcoming insomnia. If you are uncomfortable taking medications, or other sleep aids there are some tips to help you get the much needed sleep you are missing, whether you are taking medications or not.
- Avoid drinking liquids 2-3 hours before going to bed
- Listen to soft music or Cd’s that are made strictly for sleeping
- Avoid caffeine in the afternoon, things like chocolate, coffee, soda, tea and other caffeine filled drinks. Even some over the counter medications have caffeine, so check your labels
- Avoid sleeping or napping for long periods in the daytime
- Limit your alcohol consumption. Alcohol is a sedative but it can still disrupt your sleeping patterns.
- Try taking a warm bath before bedtime.
- Go to bed at the same time every night. Stick to a regular sleeping schedule
- Reading a book will sometimes make you sleepy
- Avoid having the TV on, this stimulates your senses, causing you to stay awake
If all else fails, and you continue to lose sleep, see your doctor. Perhaps your insomnia is deeper than losing a night’s sleep. Pain or discomfort that needs to be treated. Or other serious medical conditions that won’t go away with a good nights sleep.