Cures For The Condition Known As Insomnia

To be able to relax and drift off into a warm and fuzzy state of slumber and wake up refreshed knowing that you have had a good night's sleep has to be one of the best feelings you can encounter.

Can you imagine then how it must feel to know that as many as 1 in 5 of the population have been denied the above, simply because they suffer from insomnia a cruel condition that robs people of vital rest.

Insomnia is the inability to fall asleep and stay asleep. It can affect anyone at any time and at any age. Common insomnia causes include:
Waking up tired and not feeling rested.
Feeling tired or sleepy throughout the day.
Having difficulty focussing on everyday tasks.
Feeling irritable and depressed.

Sleep is essential for good health. It is the body's way of rejuvenating and repairing itself, and without it health problems such as heart disease and diabetes can occur. Indeed studies from New York and Chicago Universities have shown that a good night's sleep can cause you to live longer and even help you to stay slim!

There are two types of insomnia, primary and secondary.

Primary insomnia is insomnia that occurs without an underlying cause. Secondary insomnia is insomnia that is caused by an emotional, physical or neurological disorder such as stress, grief, pain, jetlag or illnesses such as dementia or Alzheimers.

Secondary insomnia is easier to treat than primary insomnia as you can usually find the cause. When it comes to sleep everybody needs are different and we should have a rough idea of how much sleep we need to function well. The following tips below are recommended to improve or restore the sleep of the insomniac. We need to be in tune with our body's daily rhythm and try to arise at the same time even on weekends. Try not to take naps during the day. Do moderate and regular exercise such as walking or swimming. Drink alcohol in moderation, it may make you feel sleepy but it can cause you to wake early. Avoid coffee and tea products in the evening as it is full of caffeine and will keep you up at night. Do not have a heavy meal late at night, a classic reason for insomnia. Eat a light meal 4 hours before bed and choose protein foods such as eggs, fish or bake beans as these contain trytophan an amino acid which aids sleep.

Some cures for insomnia include drinking hot milk containing nutmeg as both are calming and can induce sleep.

Sprinkle a few drops of lavender oil on your pillow at night as this has a sedative affect.

Avoid doing anything mentally stimulating before bed, wind down and relax using meditation and yoga to prepare the body for sleep.

Keep your bedroom dark, quiet and well ventilated. Turn off the television or the computer.

Play soft music and make sure that the bed is comfortable.

Doing any or more of the above should encourage sleep to come back and allow you the privilege of a good nights rest.