We nd all have nights where we will toss and turn and no matter what we
can't seem to fall asleep. The inability to fall or stay asleep is
called insomnia. Millions of people suffer from it and the most common
solution is prescription sleep aids. The prescription sleep aid
business rakes in billions of dollars and this is because these pills
don't cure the insomnia they mask the symptom. Basically they provide a
quick fix but they do not cure the problem. The good news is there is
hope for insomniacs. There are many things we can do to make sleeping a
more pleasant experience. Here is what I suggest
Exercise -
Yes the dreaded E Word. Try taking a brisk walk in the early evening or
late afternoon. Make sure to do this at least six hours prior to bed
time.
Relaxation -
I often advise people to try Yoga. Yoga has allot of great health
benefits and will help relieve tension and stress which are both common
causes of insomnia
Limit Caffeine -
I know drinking coffee during the day is a great energy booster but it
tends to keep us up at night. Limit or complete get rid of caffeine. If
you chose to cut down don't drink any caffeine after lunch.
Sleep Schedule -
Set a time to go to bed and get up each day. I know its tempting to
stay up late on Friday and Saturday night and then play catch up on
Sunday but that will haunt you throughout the week. Consistency is the
key here.
Environment -
I typically advise people to make sure they have a nice dark and cool
place to sleep. Remove all distractions such as TV, coiled there is
still hope for you to get a great nights rest. See my resource box for
details.