Nearly half of all Americans suffer from insomnia. Worry, anxiety, stress, and major or minor health problems can all affect your quality of sleep. But you don’t need to take sleeping pills. You can heal your insomnia by using natural therapies like aromatherapy, homeopathy, and herbal remedies (try drinking a soothing chamomile or linden blossom herbal tea before bed). If you do find that when after trying these natural remedies you are still unable to sleep, then consult your physician.

Sleep is one of the most important actions our bodies perform, in order to preserve our longevity. In the dark, our pineal gland secretes the hormone called melatonin, which is responsible for inducing sleep. Sleep is a building process that restores the body’s energy supplies that were depleted through the day’s activities. It is a time to replenish mental energies, emotional energies, and spiritually connect with our higher self.

But we’re not just relaxing during our sleep. In fact we are quite active. We use this precious time not just to refuel, but also to evaluate, resolve, and release many of our issues. So you can see that when you’re not getting sufficient sleep, you’re like an eight-cylinder car that’s running on four cylinders.

That is why the amount of sleep each person needs varies. Most people require around eight hours each night, but various factors can affect how much more or less you might need, including your weight, age, muscle mass, exercise during the day, healthy lifestyle, and of course stress!

Tips to Help Your Insomnia:

• Cut back on coffee, tea, and other sources of caffeine, especially in the evening.
• Avoid alcoholic drinks in the late evening. Alcohol may help sleep onset, but cause early morning wakefulness.
• Avoid eating large, late-evening meals and heavy, fatty foods before going to bed.
• Take a walk or perform mild exercise such as yoga or before going to bed.
• Don’t use your bedroom as a place to work.
• Have a cup of warm milk before going to bed. Milk products contain an amino acid precursor that boosts serotonin in the brain.
• Take a warm (not hot) bath (not a shower) before going to bed.
• Avoid naps if they interfere with your normal sleep pattern.
• If unable to fall asleep within 20-30 minutes of lying down, get up and do something else until you feel sleepy. This way your body does not associate your bed with wakefulness.
• Exercise during the day.
• If you continue to suffer from insomnia or lack of sleep, seek medical advice.

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