What are Natural Treatments for Insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleeping disorder where the patient feels trouble falling or staying asleep, or wake up feeling dull and tired. It can be classified as short term (transient), on and off (intermittent), and constant (chronic). It affects all age groups. Among older adults, insomnia affects women more often than men.

Symptoms of insomnia are difficulty in falling asleep, waking up repeatedly during the night, waking up too early in the morning, feeling tired upon waking, sleepiness and sleep attacks during the day, irritability and problems with concentration or memory.

Major Causes of Insomnia

Insomnia is characterized by an inability to sleep or inability to remain asleep for a reasonable period. It can be a result of tension, stress and anxiety. It makes you feel tired upon waking and can affect your daily routine. It can affect relationships at home and work, hobbies, recreational activities, and general state of mind.
Every one wants to sleep soundly like a baby and wake up feeling refreshed but insomnia can make you inactive and tired all around the day. To treat insomnia in a better way, it is important to know the major causes of insomnia. Insomnia may be caused by any or a combination of the following:

The major causes of acute insomnia are stress, emotional or physical discomfort, illness, certain medications used for the treatment of colds, allergies, depression, high blood pressure and asthma or working in night sifts. The causes of chronic insomnia include chronic stress, depression or pain or discomfort at night.

A stressful life is the main culprit for insomnia. Relationship problems, work-related problems, anticipation of an upcoming event like a presentation or exam, or sudden life events like divorce and death of a loved one are only some examples.
Sometimes change in routine may also lead to sleeplessness. Traveling, sleeping in an unfamiliar bed and a job with variable schedules are some examples of routine interruptions that can cause insomnia, though short-term.
Another reason for insomnia may be the environmental factors. Noise, light, sudden weather changes, a room that is too hot or too cold, can disturb sleep, if not delay it. Asthma, eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia, anxiety disorders, peptic ulcer can prevent you from falling into restful sleep.

Diet high in stimulants is also a responsible for sleeplessness. Drinking too much coffee, tea, and eating too much chocolate, especially in the evening, can cause problems sleeping. Alcohol is also not recommended.

Natural Treatment of Insomnia

Insomnia can be treated in several ways. There are medical as well as self-help non-medical treatments for insomnia. Sometimes just changing lifestyle, having regular sleep habits, exercise, etc. can help in overcoming insomnia and other sleeping disorders.

Insomnia may be a symptom of lower magnesium levels or magnesium deficiency. Healthy diet containing magnesium can help to improve sleep in individuals without an adequate intake of magnesium. Relaxation techniques such as meditation are also helpful in falling asleep. Using aromatherapy, including jasmine oil, lavender oil and other relaxing essential oils, may also help induce a state of restfulness. Restrict or minimize your use of caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate), decongestants, alcohol and tobacco. Antidepressant or anti stress herbal supplement may also help in insomnia.

Insomnia or sleeplessness can be treated naturally by a slight change in lifestyle and taking proper medication or anti stress supplements.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

Copyright © Nick Mutt, All Rights Reserved. If you want to use this article on your website or in your ezine, make all the urls (links) active.

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