We’ve all experienced the occasional sleepless night: watching the clock hit each hour in succession, tossing and twisting to find that elusive comfy spot, dreading having to get up and drag yourself through the next day. But for too many of us, this becomes an every night experience. It’s a vicious cycle that makes our bodies ache, our minds go foggy and our spirits sag. Before you go to the pharmacy for some chemical help, why not try some of the home remedies that even sleep experts recommend? Sleep experts agree that there are many things you can do to end the misery of little sleep or poor sleep. Here are four that can help you change your restless nights to sweet dreams.
Get with the program. For reasons we have yet to comprehend, the human body works best when forced to rest and rise at the same times each day. Yes, sadly, even on the weekend
Work it, Baby. Our bodies are machines that are designed to work. Doing nothing for too long is like letting the tractor sit in the field. Things start to rust and seize up. You’ve got to turn the crank and get the old girl moving fairly often, just to keep things lubricated. Even a brisk walk can make a difference. Just make sure to stop the activity 5 or 6 hours before bedtime. That gives your revved up engine time to cool off enough to sleep.
Cancel the caffeine and the nicotine. These stimulants can take eight hours to wear off. Correct me if I am wrong, but isn’t eight hours about the amount of time you’ve been trying to get to sleep?
Nod off. Taking a nap isn’t the no-no you might think. Just don’t spend the afternoon sawing logs. Forty winks equals about twenty minutes. For some reason, sleeping for an hour or more just makes you feel foggy. And take that nap early so you’ll feel like getting back in the sack at bedtime.
Check your meds. Prescription medication can make it hard to sleep. If your insomnia started after you began a new one, talk to your doc. He may have another option for you. And don’t forget to ask him about your over-the-counter medications, supplements and herbal remedies. Some of those can keep you awake too. Try one or all of these for a week or two. Give yourself time to adjust to the new habits. If you have no better sleep, it’s time to check with your doctor. Keep looking for answers. Sometimes one simple answer just won’t do it. You may need a combination of habits, therapies, supplements and medications.
