I Can't Sleep Baby....

Insomnia is something millions of people suffer with. I happen to be one of those people. Insomnia is the inability to sleep or stay asleep at night. It can be very dangerous and damaging to your health. Insomnia often takes a toll on how you function throughout the day. It effects your ability to concentrate and your overall mood. I am working on changing my sleeping habits. I decided to do some research to discover what natural cures exist to help me fall asleep. During my research, I discovered some alarming facts. Insomnia is the following:

• Difficulty falling asleep at night
• Awakening during the night
• Awakening too early
• Not feeling well rested after a night's sleep
• Daytime fatigue or sleepiness
• Irritability, depression or anxiety
• Difficulty paying attention or focusing on tasks
• Increased errors or accidents
• Tension headaches
• Gastrointestinal symptoms
• Ongoing worries about sleep

Complications of insomnia may include:

• Lower performance on the job or at school
• Slowed reaction time while driving and higher risk of accidents
• Psychiatric problems, such as depression or an anxiety disorder
• Overweight or obesity
• Poor immune system function
• Increased risk and severity of long-term diseases, such as high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes

Suggested lifestyle changes:

• Stick to a sleep schedule. Keep your bedtime and wake time consistent from day to day, including on weekends.
• Get out of bed when you're not sleeping. Sleep as much as needed to feel rested, and then get out of bed. If you can't sleep, get out of bed after 15 minutes and do something relaxing, such as reading.
• Avoid trying to sleep. The harder you try, the more awake you'll become. Read or watch television until you become very drowsy, then go to bed to sleep.
• Use your bed and bedroom only for sleeping or intimate relations. Don't read, watch TV, work or eat in bed.
• Find ways to relax. A warm bath before bedtime can help prepare you for sleep. Having your partner give you a massage also may help relax you. Create a relaxing bedtime ritual, such as reading, soft music, breathing exercises, yoga or prayer.
• Avoid or limit naps. Naps can make it harder to fall asleep at night. If you can't get by without one, try to limit a nap to no more than 30 minutes and don't nap after 3 p.m.
• Make your bedroom comfortable for sleep. Close your bedroom door or create a subtle background noise, such as a running fan, to help drown out other noises. Keep your bedroom temperature comfortable, usually cooler than during the day, and dark. Don't keep a computer or TV in your bedroom.
• Exercise and stay active. Get at least 20 to 30 minutes of vigorous exercise daily at least five to six hours before bedtime.
• Avoid or limit caffeine, alcohol and nicotine. Caffeine after lunchtime and using nicotine can keep you from falling asleep at night. Alcohol, while it may initially make you feel sleepy, can cause unrestful sleep and frequent awakenings.
• Avoid large meals and beverages before bed. A light snack is fine, but eating too much late in the evening can interfere with sleep. Drink less before bedtime so that you won't have to go to the toilet as often.
• Check your medications. If you take medications regularly, check with your doctor to see if they may be contributing to your insomnia. Also check the labels of over-the-counter products to see if they contain caffeine or other stimulants, such as pseudoephedrine.
• Don't put up with pain. If a painful condition bothers you, make sure the pain reliever you take is effective enough to control your pain while you're sleeping.
• Hide the bedroom clocks. Set your alarm so that you know when to get up, but then hide all clocks in your bedroom. The less you know what time it is at night, the better you'll sleep.

I will be doing the following highlighted in red over the next week to see if a change comes.

I too will sleep again.


Reference
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/insomnia/DS00187/DSECTION=lifestyle-and-home-remedies