If you have insomnia, you know that it can negatively impact your performance during the day. When you’re addressing your insomnia problem, you’ll likely consider over-the-counter sleep aids. Use the criteria below to help you determine whether an over-the-counter sleep aid can be helpful for you in treating your insomnia.

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.

The average mattress is only good for 8 years. After that time, your mattress may be lumpy or not giving you the support you need. Even if it seems OK, it may be a haven for dust mites and dead skin cells. This could also cause an allergic reaction which can keep you from sleeping well.

Write down what worries you. Worrying about responsibilities during the day, can cause you to have issues when trying to sleep. One way to take control of these worries is to jot down a list of your problems and their solutions. Having a strategy can help you deal with the problem much better and give you peace of mind at night.

The body is controlled by the circadian clock which keeps our cycles going 24 hours a day. To get this clock back into the right pattern, you must keep to a strict schedule. Go to bed at a certain time nightly, and get up at a certain time, and your body will learn to obey.

Write down the next day’s schedule and important tasks. Often people will find themselves lying in bed, waiting for sleep, while their brain runs through the next day’s agenda. Worries about what needs to be done can keep sleep at bay. Make a good list of things that are important, and you can save yourself the troubles of constantly preparing.

It is as important that the things you sleep on are comfortable as it is that the room is dark and quiet. That means you need to have a quality mattress which is neither too hard nor too soft, a pillow which holds your head correctly, and night clothes which are loose and comfortable.

The conditions must be right in your bedroom in order for you to get the appropriate amount of rest. The room should be dark. Blinds themselves don’t always block out enough light. It is advised that you hang dark curtains on the windows that will serve as an extra block of light from outside your window. If you’re not able to afford this you can use tin foil.

While it is perfectly okay to use a sleep aid to help you rest every once in a while, this should not be used as a long-term treatment for insomnia. If you have been having sleepless nights for more than a week, it would be a good idea for you to see a doctor so he can properly diagnose and treat you.

Exercise can help you sleep better at night but only if you exercise during the day or early evening. If you exercise right before bed, then you will only get your adrenaline going and you find it hard to sleep. So try exercising during the day to get a better sleep at night.

Deep breathing exercises can help you fall asleep when you are awake with insomnia. Allow the tension to melt away from your muscles as you lie on your back. Inhale slowly, filling your lungs, hold it for a few seconds, then exhale. Keep this up for 5 minutes to help relax your body.

Many people find that a nice walk before bedtime helps them get to sleep. Not only does it provide exercise, but it also helps you wind down and clear your head. Walks are very relaxing, and of course this should be a short walk. Focus on letting your thoughts go during this walk and winding down for the day.

Take electronics out of your bedroom. If you keep your computer or TV in your bedroom, you will be distracted from sleep. This also applies to cellphones unless you use your phone as an alarm clock. Your room should only be used for sleep and romance. Every other room can be used for every other task.

Rubbing your stomach can be very helpful when trying to go to sleep. Doing this helps aide your digestive system and makes you comfortable. Since it does help your digestive system, it also can help you lose weight. All you do is gently rub on your stomach by your navel in a circular motion.

Insomnia can really do damage to your ability to perform at your best. If you’re considering over-the-counter treatments for insomnia, it’s important that you understand what you’re taking into your body. Use the criteria discussed above to help you decide whether an over-the-counter sleep medication could be the right answer for you in treating your insomnia.

Sleep Like A Baby With These Top Insomnia Tips was originally published on Spring