The importance of sleep cannot be overly stressed. Lack of sleep can cause:
- Traffic or work-related accidents
- Loss of productivity
- Unhealthy eating habits
Insomniacs can have problems working, relating to other people, and maintaining relationships. Since the disorder has such far-reaching effects, sufferers look desperately for a solution.
The first step in searching for insomnia cures is to find the root of the problem. Think about the things in your life that could attribute to a sleepless night.
- Are you overly stressed at work?
- Do you worry about money?
- Is there something about family that is bothering you?
- Are personal relationships an issue?
If worrisome thoughts are preventing you from getting to sleep, try to work around them. Accept the fact that you are experiencing some problems and that you need to rest before you can work towards a solution. If you are having problems with this, a psychotherapist might be able to help you gain some calmness.
Activities and chemicals that affect the nervous system should also be avoided before going to sleep. It is fairly common sense to avoid caffeine and exercise before bed time as they promote alertness.
Most people who have trouble sleeping turn to alcohol. The logic appears sound at first, since drinking alcohol can make someone drowsy. That is not always the case. Alcohol can sometimes prevent sleep. Instead of sleep, it can simply make one tired or bring about a headache.
If alcohol works the first time, there is a tendency to build a tolerance to it. Continuous intake means you would need larger and larger amounts to get the desired effect. Besides, even if you get to sleep, you may wake up tired, and even with a hangover.
There are several homeopathic and alternative insomnia cures available. Made from natural or herbal ingredients, or utilizing alternative therapies, they provide calming effects without needing chemicals.
One recommended treatment is the SleepTracks system. This is an audio-based system developed by Yan Muckle. It uses a technique called brainwave entertainment that soothes the brain and helps achieve sleep.
There are also over-the-counter and prescription medications that were developed as insomnia cures. These are almost guaranteed to knock out a person to get some sleep. However, the quality of sleep may suffer. People who take it often experience dreamless sleep and wake up still feeling tired and groggy. They can also develop resistance to the drugs, the medication can become less effective the longer they are taken.
If none of the conventional solutions work, it would be best to consult a physician. Your doctor may also suggest a sleep study. Doctors will monitor you during sleep to determine if you have other conditions like sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a condition wherein a person experiences gaps in breathing during sleep. Difficulty in getting to sleep or remaining asleep is one of the common symptoms. Sufferers also tend to snore, toss and turn during sleep, or wake up gasping for air.
Regardless of your method of insomnia cures, learning what works is the most important step. Whether you use over-the-counter medication or natural supplement, getting enough sleep is the most important part.