Insomnia Remedies – Which One of These Will Work For You?

Insomnia remedies come in quite handy in the treatment, prevention and management of sleep disorders. Most of these remedies do not require prescription medication. Instead, they focus on basic lifestyle changes and eliminating the root causes of insomnia. In cases of chronic insomnia, prescription medication is often the only solution. However, many insomnia patients would just as soon avoid prescription medication at all possible. The cost of prescription drugs and other medications, this is completely understandable.

Some simple tips can be used to relieve insomnia without resorting to medication. For instance, developing a regular sleep schedule helps relieve insomnia. Make sure that you go to bed at the same time every day. Disruptions in sleep patterns are the major cause of insomnia. Ensure that you get a minimum of six hours of continuous sleep at night. Avoid taking alcohol and other stimulants like caffeinated drinks. It is advisable not to drink tea or coffee in the latter hours of the day, especially in the evening and at night.

Minimizing disturbances and distractions in the bedroom also helps. Remove any unwanted sources of light and noise that may be present in your bedroom. Also, see to it that the bedroom isn’t too hot or too cold. Try to switch to a healthy lifestyle. Eating healthy and getting physical exercise every day are the best insomnia remedies. It is best to exercise early in the morning on an empty stomach. Do not take heavy meals just before going to bed and try to squeeze in one or two hours between dinner and bedtime.

Some behavioral techniques can also be used in the treatment of insomnia. Music therapy, yoga, meditation and aroma therapy have proven to be exceptionally useful. These also help enhance and accelerate the effects on medical treatment. These techniques basically focus on relaxing the mind to help the patient sleep better.

Besides these insomnia remedies, medical treatment can be necessary in some cases of insomnia, especially the severe and chronic ones. Common medical treatments include…

• antihistamines

• benzodiazepines

• non-benzodiazepines

• ramelteon

• melatonin

• antidepressants

• herbal medications like kava-kava, valerian and chamomile

Even though some of these medications are available over-the-counter, none should be taken without consulting a physician first. In fact, many over the counter drugs and sleeping pills should be avoided as they only aggravate the situation in the long run. Instead, natural insomnia remedies should be preferred as they eliminate the cause by a holistic approach and have no side-effects.