All Natural Sleep Aids
If, on occasion you tend to have a sleepless night here and there it might be a good idea to always keep some form of natural sleep aid on hand. Almost everyone has some trouble sleeping every now and again that is normal. It does not constitute calling yourself an insomniac in any way.
Natural sleep aids should be just what you need when you are having a bit of trouble falling asleep. Some don’t know exactly what types of natural sleep aids are available, which work, and which don’t. It’s alright, you may have to try a couple before you find one that is just perfect for you, but you will as there are many.
One natural sleep aid that is really popular especially in Europe is Valerian. This is an herb that many have used to treat occasional insomnia and it is available over the counter. What makes Valerian so popular is that it has no addictive properties and it does not leave you feeling groggy the next morning. The bad news is that for some still unknown reason Valerian does not work for everyone so if you find this to be the case then don’t give up just try a different natural sleep aid.
Melatonin is also used by many so that they can fall asleep, especially if for some reason the sleep and wake cycle has been altered due to such factors as jet lag or maybe a switch in work shifts from days to midnights, etc. Melatonin is actually a hormone that is already present inside of the body. Serotonin is produced by the pineal gland then at night when it is dark the serotonin turns into Melatonin. About a half an hour before you think you might want to fall asleep is when you will take Melatonin.
Some find that a bout with insomnia is often the result of anxiety. Kava, which is an herb that helps to relieve anxiety, can also assist with occasional insomnia. It is recommended by the FDA that this herb is not taking continuously as there is a liver risk involved.
If this all might sound a bit confusing then consider trying relaxation techniques which can really be the most effective way to stop unwelcome bouts of insomnia. Such things as visualization techniques, meditation, yoga, and muscle relaxation exercises done about an half an hour before bedtime can be especially effective in relaxing the body enough to fall asleep and stay asleep for the night.
One factor that might play the biggest part in relieving insomnia is your diet. Examine your intake of caffeine and don’t overlook anything. Caffeine is in coffee, tea, pop, chocolate, certain cough and cold medicines, and other over the counter medications. Foods that are high in sugar can disrupt sleep too. Instead, stick with foods that encourage sleep, especially those that contain Tryptophan.
Eat foods that are also high in magnesium because magnesium is a natural sedative. If your body is running low on magnesium then it might be the cause of your lack of sleep. Stick with foods that are magnesium rich such as legumes, seeds, wheat bran, certain nuts, brewer’s yeast, whole grains, and dark green leafy vegetables.