Tricks that work like Sleep Medication

1. Timing is important:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51035768826@N01/

Go to bed the same time every night and awake the same time every morning. Soon enough, your body will get used to this schedule and you will be able to sleep. If you do awake during the night, make yourself at least try to go back to sleep right away.

2. Cut down on food and drink:

Don't eat large meals or drink copious amounts of water 2 hours before you go to bed. Eating meals can cause stomach problems that can keep you awake through the night. Drinking large amounts of fluids will cause you to be up all night, going to the bathroom, instead of getting a sound, solid sleep. Cut back on caffeine. Tea, Coffee and soft drinks. Caffeine keeps your body awake, which contradicts getting enough sleep.

3. Exercise:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30011527@N05/

Be careful how much exercise you do before going to bed. Aerobic exercise can get your heart pumping and the adrenalin going, causing you to stay awake. Although sometimes light stretching and relaxing exercise like, yoga or tai-chi may actually calm you and promote sleep.

4. Bathe before bed:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28284386@N02/

Take a warm bath before bed to relax you. Make sure it's not too hot or cold or it can stimulate your body to stay awake. Light a candle and put on a soothing CD while in the bath to help relax you further, promoting a good night’s sleep.

My sister had trouble getting to sleep for a couple of days until she tried taking a warm bath before bed (I go a step further and take a bath with candle light, VERY RELAXING!).

5. Avoid napping during the day:

If you suffer from insomnia, you shouldn't be napping during the day. This will only cause more insomnia, since your body has already received the rest it needs during the daytime.

Lack of sleep hurts work production during the day. It also makes your immune system weak, so it has a harder time fighting off disease. If you're tired while driving, you could cause a major accident. Insomnia keeps you from functioning in your daily life.

Of course if you have done all these with not a slight improvement on the quality of your sleep, you might wish to go to the doctor. There are some insomnia medications that they can prescribe. Hopefully, you only do this as a last resort.

Article Source: http://www.helium.com/items/1207256-how-to-cure-insomnia