Most animals have to get some sleep. People should sleep 7 - 8 hours nightly. If you don't even get four, then you likely have insomnia. If you have insomnia, it is a definite problem. These tips will help you get some shut-eye.
Many people like staying up late during the weekend. However, inconsistent sleep schedules can cause insomnia. Try to set the alarm to wake yourself up at close to the same hour every day. Once you do this for several weeks, you will likely be surprised at the better quality sleep you have.
Some people believe that carbohydrates can help you to fall asleep. A common suggestion is to eat a slice or two of white bread before bed with a cup of herbal tea. The carbs in the bread cause a tired, sluggish feeling that is conducive to sleep, and the tea is relaxing, a good combination.
You can invite sleep in by creating a dark, soothing atmosphere in your bedroom. Be sure to get shades or curtains that block any outside light. Try some soothing music, or a CD with ocean or bird sound effects. Read a relaxing book. Find what works for you, and create a habit of it. You will learn to associate these activities with sleep.
Get up a bit earlier than normal. Just half an hour might do the trick to make you tired at bedtime. Think about the time you have to sleep, and be consistent so you can go to sleep more quickly in the evening.
Think on something extremely boring. When battling insomnia, you've got to battle an active mind. An active mind is typically thinking on stressors, and that's not good. So put that active mind to use on something incredibly boring. Counting sheep is one way to do this. Give it a shot, it may work for you.
Try finding a soothing and calming tea that you can sip on an hour or so before bed. Make sure it's an herbal tea that contains no caffeine at all. The best kinds for sleep would probably be chamomile or some kind of a mint tea. Experiment with the blends that say they're for sleeping as well.
If you have a willing spouse, or sleep partner, try talking him or her into giving you a relaxing massage to help combat insomnia. If you cannot coerce them into a full-body massage, even a quick back massage with some soothing oil might be enough to relax your body, making sleep come easier.
TV is usually action filled and it can somehow leave your mind thinking about the scenes you've just witnessed. Watching TV before your bedtime can actually hinder your ability to sleep. Consider turning off your TV an hour before your bedtime and giving your brain some time to wind down and relax.
If you find you wake up short of breath or in a panic, talk to your doctor about attending a sleep clinic. It is possible that you have sleep apnea, a condition where your airflow is cut off during the night. There are simple solutions for this condition which can give you the sleep you deserve.
Smoking stimulates your body, so don't do it near bedtime. In fact, it's probably difficult for you to not smoke in the evening, so you are better off just to quit entirely. It will take a few months for your body to purge the toxins and get back to normal, but it will leave you feeling amazing.
Many people drink alcohol a little while before bed because it has been known to make them a little drowsy. While this may be true, drinking alcohol also increases the chances of you waking up several times over the course of the night without being able to fall back asleep.
Don't get too worked up about having insomnia. When you find yourself lying in bed again unable to sleep, it's easy to start getting frustrated and impatient. However, that behavior is not going to help usher in sleep. Try to realize that for many, insomnia can be fixed to some degree.
Not all the tips listed above will be the right match for you. Therefore, you need to try all of them to see which work ones for you. Think of your insomnia as a temporary problem that can be solved. You will be able to eliminate insomnia from your life once you find effective treatments for it.
