Insomnia - 5 Natural Cures!

Insomnia is when an individual has difficulty either falling asleep or staying asleep. Most people with insomnia often experience a variety of symptoms such as mood disturbances, fatigue, low energy, difficulty concentrating etc. Insomnia can be characterized based on duration, i.e.: acute and chronic. When you can’t fall asleep before a big presentation or an exam, it is known as acute insomnia. Chronic insomnia is when you have trouble falling asleep for at least three nights a week for a duration of three months. Chronic insomnia disorders can have many causes. Changes in the environment, unhealthy sleep habits, certain clinical disorders and certain medications.

Here are some natural ways to overcome insomnia:

1. Take control of your stress:

The number one reason people have trouble sleeping is stress. When you are chronically stressed cortisol streams through your body making it difficult to sleep. Along with insomnia it can cause anxiety, mood swings, forgetfulness, weight gain etc. To control this, try relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation.

2. Snack wisely:

We are all told not to eat right before going to bed. However, most people cannot go to sleep when they are hungry. If you must eat close to your bedtime, try healthy snacks which contain a lot of healthy carbs and a little protein. Eating too much before going to bed can cause heartburn and indigestion which can hamper sleep.

 3. Sleep regular hours:

Try going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. An erratic sleep schedule can cause disturbances in sleep. However, some people who travel a lot and work in shifts may not be able to do this. In which case, try to follow the other remedies as much as possible.

4. Minimize the use of electronics:

Watching a movie or a tv show stimulates the mind leaves you unable to sleep. It takes the brain longer to calm down enough for you to go to sleep. The blue light emitted by your screen reduces the production of melatonin, which is the natural sleep hormone produced by your body. Try engaging in offline activities like reading a book or writing or drawing. All of these can relax you and help you fall asleep easier.

 5. Make your bedroom a cave:

As much as possible make your bedroom like a cave. Dark, quiet and cool. Light disturbs melatonin production. Keep away or turn off all electronic devices. It has been found that the perfect temperature for sleeping is 18.3 degrees. If you cannot make your room dark enough try using an eye-mask and earplugs to block out any disturbances.