People who have trouble getting to sleep can get insomnia relief by using natural methods that can help their bodies relax and prepare for rest. Herbal remedies can be effective as a relaxant. Acupuncture, sunlight, and warm water can also help cause drowsiness in mild to moderate cases of insomnia. People with severe and chronic sleep problems that disrupt daily life should see a physician.
Simple Techniques for Insomnia Relief
The sun helps regulate the body’s production of melatonin, which is a chemical in the brain that controls the sleep cycle. People can have trouble sleeping at night if their melatonin levels are not balanced. In Alternative Cures, Bill Gottlieb says that people can get insomnia relief by increasing their exposure to the sun during the morning hours. To do this, open the blinds first thing in the morning or go for an early walk.
Some people are able to cure insomnia by placing their feet in hot water. Fill the bathtub with about six inches of hot water and put the feet in the water. Keep them there for about ten minutes. This will cause blood from the head to move from the head to the lower portion of the body, causing drowsiness, according to The Complete Guide to Natural Sleep by Dian Dincin Buchman.
Acupuncture for Sleep Problems
Acupuncture is gaining recognition as a treatment that can help people sleep better at night. This treatment involves placing small needles in certain points in the body. According to Outwitting Insomnia by Ellen Mohr Catalano, acupuncture causes biochemical changes in the body that induce sleep. In order to be effective in curing insomnia, acupuncture should be used as a long term treatment because the results are cumulative.
Natural Remedies for Insomnia Relief
Herbal teas are often used for their ability to help people feel calm and relaxed. The authors of Jude’s Herbal Home Remedies recommend making a tea by combining chamomile, crushed fennel seed, peppermint, hops, and bee palm. Pour one tablespoon of these ingredients into a cup of boiling water. Steep for about 15 minutes and then strain it. Add honey to sweeten it and drink it 30 minutes before going to bed.
Homemade lettuce tea can bring insomnia relief because it is a natural relaxant that works quickly. Shred some lettuce and place it into a cup of boiling water. Steep it for one half hour and drink it right before bedtime.
The article titled Natural Cures for Insomnia offers additional natural methods for getting to sleep at night. The article titled Natural Sleep Aids That Cure Insomnia Symptoms offers more tips for inducing drowsiness.
Sources:
Bill Gottlieb, Alternative Cures, Random House Publishing Group, August 2008
Dian Dincin Buchman, The Complete Guide to Natural Sleep, McGraw-Hill Companies, January 1995
Ellen Mohr Catalano, Outwitting Insomnia, Globe Pequot Press, January 2004
Jude C. Williams, Jude Todd, Jude’s Herbal Home Remedies, Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD, September 2002
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