Tips on How to Battle Insomnia
Many people who suffer from insomnia or other sleeplessness related problems can use the list below to help get them to sleep without drug medications. I personally do these things when I am having trouble sleeping:
- Have a regular time to go to bed. Our bodies have built-in biological clocks that can be upset by irregularities. If you need eight hours of sleep and you have to get up at a certain time, then go to bed a half hour before you need to be asleep. This will allow you time to relax and turn off your thinking machine. In time, sleeping at the appropriate time will become a habit.
- Stay away from napping in the daytime, especially late in the day.
- Get on an exercise program, sleep comes naturally when you are tired.
- Learn to relax.
- Try saving your lightest meal of the day for dinnertime. A full stomach may allow you to fall asleep quickly, but your sleep may be disturbed and you may wake up during the night.
- Stay away from caffeinated and alcoholic drinks in the evening. You may also find it helpful to stay away from watching an exciting television program or reading something exciting before bedtime.
- Make sure your bed is not the problem, also make sure that your room is nice and quiet before going to bed. A good mattress in a cool bedroom could do wonders for your sleep.
- Try not to look at the clock when you are awake, Try thinking pleasant thoughts, or you could read a boring book. This technique works for me every time.
- Do not “I repeat” (do not) take sleeping pills. Studies have shown that after a few weeks these may actually cause insomnia. Some have found that a hot drink will initiate sleep. However, it is better if you learn to sleep without any food in your stomach. There is also danger of your body becoming dependent on the sleeping pills.
- Put your trust in God. We live in a troubled world where we are bombarded with bad news on a daily basis. Worrying about the things we see on that news that we cannot control will sap your vitality. Place such concerns on God, and let him worry about it.
