Insomnia is a condition that affects about a third of people in the UK at some point during their lifetime. While most people suffer from sleeping problems every now and then, insomnia is the difficulty of gaining enough sleep to feel refreshed, despite having sufficient opportunity. The condition seems to be more common in women and episodes are more likely to occur as we get older. It’s difficult to define what ‘normal’ sleep is and the cures for insomnia may work differently for different people. So to save you from scouring the medicine counter, here are some natural cures to try for treating insomnia.
Comfort
If your bed is not comfortable enough to sleep in, chances are you will stay awake for longer so it is worth investing in the right mattress for you. A mattress that is too soft or too firm will not work any favours for a good night’s sleep. It’s also important to look at other factors in your bedroom that may disturb you such as a device or gadget.
Bedtime Routine
Getting yourself into a bedtime routine will help your body get used to winding down at a certain time every night. Those who fall asleep at different times will find it more difficult to stay asleep as the body is not working in clock mode anymore. This bedtime routine technique is also effective with children as it provides stability.
Napping
Taking a short nap at points during the day will help to recharge your batteries and provide you with a little more energy. Although this may not work for everyone, it may help you to catch up on sleep you have missed overnight. The recommended nap time is between 10 and 20 minutes.
Avoid Caffeine & Alcohol
Although it is more likely that you may consume alcohol and caffeine later in the evening, this may not work well for your sleeping quality. Both can increase the likelihood of nighttime urination and sleep disturbances.
Daily Breathing Exercises
This is definitely not a technique to be overlooked as it is important for helping your body to relax , just in the same way as yoga works. Psychological factors such as stress and anxiety also play a part in affecting your sleep quality.
Try Mantram
Helpful for those with restless minds, mantram is the practice of repeating things over and over in your mind. This can be words, phrases or syllables that help to eliminate negative thoughts. This also works in the same way as counting sheep in your head!
There are no guaranteed natural cures for insomnia, but these steps are sure to be effective in helping you to sleep better over a period of time.
