Best Home Remedies for Insomnia....Yes, You Can Find a Natural Cure for Insomnia

Insomnia is all too common and most people suffer from it at one time or another.

It may take a combination of home remedies for insomnia to find your zzzzz's...so keep experimenting. Your persistence will pay off and soon the sandman will be paying you regular night-time visits.

Probably the most important thing you can do is get on a regular sleep schedule. Go to bed at the same time each evening, and awaken at the same time each morning. Yes, even on weekends. Sleeping in may feel good...but remember early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise. Well...in this current economy we can't be too sure about the wealthy part, but definitely the healthy and wise part.

Lack of sleep also puts you at risk of diabetes, depression, and traffic accidents. ⁵ Plenty of motivation to make sure you get a nice long visit to the land of nod each night.

This is because your body produces melatonin at night. Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland and light inhibits the production of melatonin, especially blue light. Melatonin is vital for the regulation of the sleep cycle. It is also an anti-oxidant and supports the immune system. ^am Therefore, shutting off the lights and heading to bed shortly after the sun goes down will maximize melatonin production.

Check out these other other home remedies for insomnia and get your much needed beauty sleep.

• Seek out the bright sunlight of the morning. Exposing yourself to bright morning light and evening darkness can help reset your biological clock. Get out in the sun first thing. Take a walk, exercise or do yard work. It will help you sleep better at night.
• Try Serenite Plus for insomnia help. This wonderful remedy combines homeopathy and herbs for very effective help for insomnia. Get More Info on SerenitePlus for Insomnia and Sleeping Disorders.
• If you have chronic sleep issues, you can try SereniteLT. This combination of herbs, vitamins and minerals help you sleep better long-term. Get More Info on Serenite-LT for Long Term Solution to Chronic Insomnia.
• Don't do stimulating activities such as housework, laundry, or computer games before bed. Make the hour before bed a time of pleasant, relaxing, monotonous activity (knitting, reading, etc.)
• Set aside some time to relax, meditate or pray before bed. Don't wait to think about your day until you get into bed, think about it beforehand and work out solutions to any problems you may have had. If those problems plague you in the middle of the night, set them out of your mind by remembering that you have already planned a solution. If anxiety if keeping you awake, then try a natural cure for anxiety and you will get better rest.
• Certain medications can cause insomnia so examine your medicine cabinet and speak with your doctor about alternatives.
• Contrary to popular belief, avoid alcohol before bed. It might help you fall asleep, but the effects will wear off in the middle of the night. This will leave you staring at the clock at 2 AM.
• Deep breathing muscle exercises can help. Yes, these age-old home remedies for insomnia do make a difference. Make a conscious effort to slow down your breathing and think about each breath. Another trick is to start at the top of your body and working your way down, tighten each muscle and then relax it.
• Yes, counting sheep is another one of the more popular home remedies for insomnia. If you don't like sheep, try a different mentally relaxing game. Also, try thinking about something pleasant and remembering past good times.
• Warm baths are another one of the classic home remedies for insomnia that really do work. This is because body temperature is related to circadian rhythms. Lower body temperature causes drowsiness, so as the temporary temperature increase brought about by a warm bath wears off, drowsiness occurs. ⁴
• Chamomile is an age-old herbal remedy for insomnia. Drink a cup or two before bed to help you relax. ⁴ Chamomile is especially beneficial if your insomnia is due to indigestion or other digestive issues. ² Learn more about chamomile tea benefits.
• Valerian Root is a natural cure for insomnia. Valerian both helps you fall asleep and improves sleep quality. One source suggests a 150-300 mg capsule 30-45 minutes before hitting the hay. ⁴ However, another source suggests 600 mg an hour before bedtime. ⁴ You can also take 1-2 ml of tincture an hour before bedtime. ²
• Dried lavender flower can be made into a very soothing and beneficial tea. Add 1 teaspoon of dried herb to 1 cup of boiling water. Steep for 5-10 minutes, then strain and drink.
• Kava kava can help with anxiety. It is suggested to take one or two capsules (400-500 mg) around an hour before bed. This herb helps relax your muscles and acts on the emotional center of your brain. ⁴ Another source suggests 60-120 mg of kavalactones 1 hour before nighty-night time. ²Warning: Do not take kava kava, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. ⁶
• Cognitive behavior therapy is very helpful, and actually shown to be MORE effective than medication. ⁴ You can see a therapist or try to change your thought patterns yourself. Think positively about your sleep habits...and avoid thoughts like "I'll never fall asleep" or "If I don't fall asleep now, I won't survive the next day."
• If your body is lacking in Melatonin, supplementing can make a difference. It is most effective if you have jet lag, blindness, old age, or trouble falling asleep until late at night. A suggested dosage is 300 mcg. However, do not take melatonin if you have liver problems, kidney problems or depression. ⁵ Do not combine melatonin with prescription medications or other herbal remedies. ¹⁵
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing to bed. Avoid bras or girdles which can constrict blood flow and interfere with sleep.
• Make a sleep pillow. Special pillows that promote sleep are long-time home remedies for insomnia. Fill a small 4 x 4 inch pillow with 1 tablespoon dried lavender flower, 1 tablespoon chamomile, 1 tablespoon hops, 1 tablespoon mugwort and 1 tablespoon rose. Spinkle an odorless grain alcohol on the pillow to activate the herbs and let dry. It should be good for up to a year. Place this pillow near your nose, or hold it at night. ²These herbs are all superb home remedies for insomnia.
• Passionflower is another popular insomnia herbal remedy. A suggested dosage is 4,000-8,000 mg of dried herb 1 hour before bed. Passionflower is frequently combined with valerian, so you may find combination capsules. ²

• Don't forget about tryptophan...that sleep-inducing agent found in turkey. It is one of the better known home remedies for insomnia. Try a night-time snack of turkey, tuna or chicken..which are all high in tryptophan. You can also use supplements if you prefer. ¹²
• Make a tea with peppermint, sage and rosemary. These herbs are wonderful home remedies for insomnia. Mix one ounce of each herb and store in an airtight container. To make tea, use 1 teaspoon mixture and steep in boiling water, strain, then drink. If you like sweet tea, honey is preferable to sugar. ¹² Learn more about the mint herb and sage plant.
• Hops may also help induce sleep. However, do not use if you are pregnant. Nor is it a good idea to use this long-term as hops does have estrogenic activity. ¹⁵
• Lemon balm tea is also very soothing, and will help calm you into dreamland. ¹⁵
• Pure Lavender Oil is an especially beneficial natural cure for insomnia for children. You can massage a little bit into the temples or back of the neck. You can also place a drop of essential oil on their forehead or blanket. Lavender essential oil can also be used in a vaporizer in their room. Chamomile Essential Oil or Geranium Essential Oil can also be used. ¹

  Kid Tips: Essential Oils (especially pure lavender oil) are wonderful home remedies for insomnia. They work very well with children and the ones listed above are safe when used appropriately. However, be careful about putting essential oils on the hands or any object a baby or toddler might put into his or her mouth. Essential oils are toxic if consumed!
  
  Children can also drink chamomile, passionflower or lemon balm tea. Many children like these teas sweetened with honey.
  
  Children may also really like having the above-mentioned sleep pillow.

  
  
  

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