Are You Looking For Insomnia Cures?There’s no need to resort to sleeping pills – there are a range of natural insomnia cures to help you get a good night’s rest. Natural sleep remedies and herbal sleep aids will get you back in the habit of sleeping naturally and deeply.
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Michael Valdez
First of all, don’t drink coffee or tea in the evening, as the caffeine will keep you awake. Giving up caffeine is the simplest of insomnia cures. You might want to avoid caffeine from midday onwards. (Remember that chocolate also has caffeine in it.) Instead, drink camomile or tileul (lime blossom tea), which are good herbal sleep aids. While it’s important to drink plenty during the day, try not to drink anything for at least half an hour before bedtime. Make sure you are comfortable at night. Your bed should be comfortable and warm (but not too warm). Use cotton or linen sheets and sleepwear, not synthetic: natural materials allow your skin to breathe. Your bedroom should be well ventilated – keep the windows open if possible. Don’t have plants in the room at night. Work with your body clock, not against it. As far as you can, set yourself a regular bedtime. Your brain responds to light or dark by producing hormones that make you wakeful or sleepy. In the evening, the bright light of TV or computer screens can fool your brain into thinking it’s still daytime. So it’s best to avoid these for an hour or two before bed. They also tend to stimulate your mind. Are you tired enough at night? Try getting more exercise in the daytime. Long walks in the fresh air are ideal. If you are really tired out physically, you shouldn’t have trouble getting to sleep. Do something calming in the evening, such as reading a familiar book or listening to quiet, relaxing music. Soaking in a hot bath is one of the best ways to relax. Spend a few minutes just before bed looking at the night sky. In particular, watching the sunset will help to attune you to the natural rhythm of the day and night. Lavender, hops and rosemary are all excellent herbal sleep aids. As insomnia cures the dried herbs can be used in your pillow, or nearby, where you can smell them at night. Lavender can also be used in tincture form. I am never without a bottle of lavender tincture – it has so many uses. A few drops in your bath at night will help you relax and sleep better. You can put lavender tincture on your pillow, or on the front of your pyjamas or nightdress. Two or three drops should be enough (less for children). There are other herbs that a herbalist might prescribe as insomnia cures; the ones I’ve mentioned are easy and safe to use by yourself. All these natural sleep remedies and herbal sleep aids work for children as well as adults. Getting a good night’s sleep is important, but don’t forget that a healthy diet is the key to staying healthy. Click here to find out what to eat to maintain natural health.
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