Fighting Insomnia

Health & Medical Blog

In today's hectic culture, many people struggle to get a full night's sleep. In fact, for about one in three people, insomnia is a problem. Healthcare professionals warn that not getting enough sleep is detrimental to your physical and mental health, so you need to address your insomnia. Although many people do take sleeping pills, a better option may be to use natural methods.

Melatonin

Melatonin has been found to help some people sleep better. This supplement is readily available online or at discount stores and contains a synthetic version of a natural hormone that helps set your sleep cycle. It works to help you get to sleep faster and sleep longer. However, studies show that the additional sleep you get may only average about 8 minutes nightly although you will fall asleep a bit faster. However, some people find it works for them. Before taking melatonin you should consult with your primary physician to make sure you won't experience negative medication interactions.

Warm Baths

Warm baths have been found to aid in sleep. When your body is cooler, you sleep better. By taking a warm bath before you sleep, you can increase your body heat significantly, resulting in a steep temperature drop shortly after the bath ends. You end up feeling relaxed and sleepy, meaning you should fall asleep quickly and sleep well. As with all methods, there are some potential drawbacks. Taking a warm bath may shorten your REM sleep, an essential cycle needed to establish long-term memory.

Electronics

If you really want to sleep well, you should ban electronics from your bedroom. Your body reacts to light, so when things get dark, you should naturally become sleepy. However, the presence of laptops, smart phones, and television sets in bedrooms means you get too much light at night,  causing you to have trouble falling and staying asleep. If you can't break yourself of the electronics habit, at least turn them off an hour or so before bedtime to give your body time to wind down. This means no texting on your phone as well as no television.

In extreme cases, you may need sleeping pills to conquer your insomnia but consult with your primary care physician to see what natural methods they recommend. Your nighttime habits can make a big difference in the quality of your sleep. Also, taking the supplement melatonin may also help, although studies on the subject have been mixed. Relax, shut off the lights, and, hopefully, drift off into a good sleep. For more information or assistance, contact expert groups like Choice Medical Group.

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28 September 2016