Are you sleep deprived?

If you are one of the millions of people that are suffering from insomnia, here are some suggestions to make it less of a problem. While some choose prescription medications, they don’t always work and can have a big impact on your health. There are certainly other ways to combat sleeplessness.

There are many causes of insomnia; hormonal imbalance and stress are two of the biggest culprits.

1. Loosen up!

I’ll be the first to admit that this is easier said than done, but it is the first step to beating insomnia. We all have things to worry about, but you have to find a way to let those things go before bedtime. In fact, by purposely forgetting them before retiring for the evening, you may actually solve those problems while you sleep. However, if you go to bed with the intention of solving a hard problem, then your subconscious will work differently by trying to keep you awake to solve it.

2. Stop worrying!

It all sounds counter-intuitive, but you have the best chance of solving your problems by not worrying about them before bed. At the same time, it’s vital that you not worry about how much sleep you will or won’t get. Focusing on your insomnia is about the surest way to have insomnia. The key is to do things to help you unwind, to help you shift from the cares of the day to preparing to sleep.

3. Stay healthy!

We want to get our exercise in. However, exercising too close to bedtime will only serve to make it harder to fall asleep. Instead, exercise several hours earlier. Your body will be more ready to sleep. Eating well is important to your overall health and affects how well sleep. The healthier you are, the better you will sleep.

4. Learn relaxation techniques.

There are many different techniques designed to help people relax and sleep better, including various audio programs with sound effects. Some have found these quite effective while others deem them a disturbance. You may like one or more.

Try the following technique: As you lie in bed start at your toes and release all of the energy from them, letting them melt right into your mattress. Then move up to your feet, ankles, calves, knees, and all the way up to the top of your head. As you do this, you will be letting go of the tension you have built up over the course of your day and drifting off to sleep before you know it.

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