Insomnia can drive you crazy! Tossing and turning night after night may leave you ready to pop some pills for some quick relief, but do yourself a favor and think twice. Why not adjust your diet and lifestyle first and see if you can improve your sleep patterns the natural way? Natural sleep remedies are a combination of lifestyle, dietary and activity changes that help you to set the scene for a good night's sleep. They may also include some herbal or homeopathic remedies but avoid any prescribed pharmaceutical drugs or chemical intervention.
Symptoms:
Sleep is a periodic resting condition of the body, especially the nervous system and there is a natural rotation of sleeping and waking every twenty-four hours. But medical science has not been able to explain-must less to understand –the mechanics of this phenomenon. But it is a natural thing for a person to sleep and nobody can do without if for long. Some people, however, are able to do with much less sleep than others because their sleep is deeper and more refreshing, making do without four to five hours as compared to the normal period of seven to eight hours.
Natural sleep remedies
Warm Bath an hour or more before bed is natural sleep remedies may help you relax and feel drowsy. It is important that you don't have your bath right before bed as the warm water will raise your body temperature and have an arousing effect on you rather than a sedating one. You need to allow time for your body temperature to lower by bedtime while still remaining relaxed and peaceful.The warm water will affect your circulatory system and ease your body into restfulness as well as alleviate tension.
To cope with fatigue and to boost your immune system, try Ginseng. Ginkgo Biloba is also widely available and can help improve memory, concentration and increase oxygen flow to the brain.
Exercise regularly. Physical activity is necessary to remove waste products, particularly lactic and uric acids, from the muscles and nervous system
Establish a regular bedtime and bedtime routine, even on weekends.
Avoid caffeine, sodas with excess sugar and alcohol from at least mid-afternoon onward
Make sure your bedroom is comfortable with a mattress, pillow and bedding that fits your needs
Melatonin. This is a hormone produced by the pineal gland. Although it is natural and available over the counter, this does not mean that it is without risk. My concern with any hormone is that although it might be quite safe when used within the body's normal range, I worry about toxicity when people take more than the body would normally make. For most people, all it takes to restore melatonin to normal levels is 1/2 mg. The usual dose you find in stores, however, is 3 mg, which is 6 to 10 times the dose that most people need. Except for a small subset of people, who likely have trouble absorbing it properly, the 1/2 mg dose is every bit as effective for sleep as higher doses. I would use a dose higher than 1/2 mg only if it clearly helps you sleep better than the lower dose.
There are many types of massage, including shiatsu, cranio-sacral, reflexology, and the more common relaxation or “Swedish style” massage. Choose an experienced practitioner whom you like and who makes you feel comfortable. Your doctor may have a contact to suggest.
Aromatherapists use real essential oils prepared from the plant rather than artificial fragrances created in the lab. (Unfortunately, oils at your local store may not be genuine.) Don’t take essential oils by mouth or put them on your skin. However, several drops can be added to the bath water.
