Everyone has suffered from sleepless nights, and that isn't something that anyone wants. But before deciding how to treat it, we first have to understand the concept of insomnia. Insomnia is defined by the difficulty of falling asleep or having a quality/adequate sleep, possibly waking up often and not being able to fall asleep again. Stress and mainly the stressful lifestyle of the 21st century are some of the main factors that cause insomnia, but that doesn't mean our ancestors didn't suffer from insomnia as well. The difference between them and us is that they had to use natural remedies instead of relying on sleeping pills. It is well known that sleeping pills come with side effects, which is one of the main reasons we should rely more on home remedies and not risk our health anymore.
There are different kinds of insomnia:
Primary - Not caused by a medical condition. Has different causes, of which we can enumerate stress and family issues. Secondary - Caused by a medical condition, such as chronic pain, asthma, arthritis, cancer, or depression.
Depending on different illnesses, insomnia can also be classified as:
Transient - Short-term, lasting anywhere from one day to one month.
Intermittent - Appears suddenly and is mainly caused by stress.
Chronic - Happens at least three times a week and for more than one month.
Insomnia Symptoms
The main symptom of insomnia is a sleep disorder, and some aspects of that are:
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Focus trouble
- Anxiety (including sleep anxiety) and depression
- Migraines - People with chronic migraines always have trouble sleeping, both regarding falling asleep and sleeping itself, and understandably so because of the strong, consistent pain.
- Digestive problems - Much like migraines, this time stomach aches are keeping people from sleeping.
- Waking up too early in the morning - a problem often seen in today's society, as people got more used to staying up late and waking up in the morning to go to work or school.
- Tiredness when waking up.
Can To Get Rid of Insomnia?
One of the first things that must be taken into consideration when trying to cure your insomnia is eliminating foods that keep you from sleeping. It is also recommended not to eat just before going to bed, as you might feel some stomach burns.
Foods to Avoid:
- Chocolate
- Cheese
- Alcohol
- Spicy foods
- Sugar and carbohydrates
- Red meat, processed, or smoked foods
- Anything that contains caffeine
Daily Habits That Help with Falling Asleep
A daily habit before falling asleep might help you have a better time falling asleep. Habits such as reading or talking with a person close to you just before falling asleep are highly recommended. But it's important to keep in mind that it has to be a routine that is respected. Relaxing and forgetting about the stress is a must if you want to have a better time falling asleep and having a better sleep experience altogether. This routine will make your body accustomed to a specific sleep hour, and even though it will be harder in the beginning, it will be much easier. It could be a good idea to keep yourself away from blue light emanating from your phone or TV.
How to Cure Insomnia without Medication
There are many ways to cure insomnia without using sleeping pills, and the list below will help you greatly. Alcohol, caffeine, and smoking are some of the factors that can influence your sleep activity, potentially ruining your sleep schedule and routine.
- Relaxation and meditation: Practice meditation and/or yoga before falling asleep. Acupuncture: There are reasons to believe (although further research is required) that acupuncture is helpful in the process of treating anxiety.
- Music therapy: Music can improve sleep quality.
- Aromatherapy: Essential oils made from plants, trees, or flowers, such as lavender oil, cedarwood oil, Roman chamomile oil, sandalwood oil, and bitter orange flower oil, can be helpful.
- Magnesium: Magnesium-based supplements can help raise sleep quality and even treat insomnia.
- Valerian: Valerian was used by ancestors to treat anxiety. Studies have shown that 600mg of valerian is effective in treating insomnia. It is recommended to consume it before sleep and consult a doctor before using valerian, as it has strong effects.
- Hot milk: Hot milk helps with relaxation and also helps the brain release melatonin because of the calcium it contains.
- Chamomile tea: A cup of chamomile tea drunk before falling asleep has a calming effect.
- Apple cider vinegar with honey: Apple cider vinegar contains numerous amino acids that combat exhaustion, while honey raises serotonin levels in the body, which helps regulate your sleep schedule.
- Daytime walks outside: Vitamin D is produced by the body with direct help from sunlight. This is a problem due to the sedentary lifestyle our society has adopted. Walks outside and fresh air can secrete serotonin and help de-stress the body. However, it is not recommended before going to bed.
- Physical exercise: It is a well-known fact that exercise is required for a better lifestyle, including better sleep. However, it is not recommended before sleeping.