Insomnia seems to strike when you least expect it. When you already feel badly enough not to sleep, it seems like a cruel fate that insomnia brings with it side effects including additional stress and anxiety. Put a stop to the insanity by learning all you can from the text below.

Create a structured bedtime routine and maintain it even on the weekends. Most people need between seven and nine hours of sleep. Get into the habit of going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. You will begin to sleep better when your body is adjusted to this routine.

Get used to sleeping on your back. Of all the sleeping positions, sleeping on your back causes the least stress on your internal organs while resting. This should help your entire body to relax enough to break insomnia. If back sleeping is not an option, the next best is sleeping on your right side.

Stay away from the computer prior to bed. In particular, avoid stimulating video games. This will make it hard for you to find peace in your mind so that you can quickly fall to sleep.

If you are having trouble falling asleep, try rubbing your feet. If you have someone there who can rub your feet for you, that’s even better. When the pressure points in your feet are massaged, your whole body will relax. With a relaxed body, you will have a relaxed mind as well and be able to fall asleep.

Be more proactive about the stress in your life, if you suffer with chronic insomnia. Stress is a leading cause of insomnia, so start eliminating the sources whenever possible, and do things for yourself that alleviate stress. Meditation or yoga can help, as can other forms of regular exercise. The less you stress, the more you sleep.

Try a little house cleaning when your insomnia is getting the better of you. Many people find that being productive with a non-stressful task can help them reach a state that is more conducive to sleeping. Sweep the floor or dust your collectibles until you are more relaxed and feel completely tired.

Snoring, either your own or your partner’s, can be a major cause of insomnia. To promote a restful night’s sleep, speak with your doctor to eliminate the cause of your snoring. Keeping your bedroom properly humidified can ease congestion in nasal passages and reduce the snoring that keeps you from sleeping.

Many people tend to lie awake during an attack of insomnia, watching the clock. Worries of being late to work, or not getting up to care for children are enough to keep you awake all night. Instead of staring at the moving hour hands, face your clock away from you, or move it to where you can’t see.

If you want to sedate yourself without taking sleeping pills and feeling like a zombie in the morning, try a cookie. Sugar eaten 30 minutes before bed time can actually cause you to become tired. You can also try honey in hot water or on a piece of toast for the same effect.

Steer clear of beverages for the three hours preceding bedtime. If you drink a lot, you’ll pee a lot, too. Getting up regularly will mess with your sleep rhythm. All fluids should be consumed early in the day and avoided when bedtime nears.

To better your sleep and allow your body to enter REM sleep, the time when your body rejuvenates, for a longer period, try valerian root. This herb has been used throughout Europe for centuries to fix sleeping problems in those who have insomnia. It has both sedative and muscle relaxing effects which can be hugely effective.

Don’t make yourself go to bed just because it is a specific time. Wait until you’re tired to try to go to sleep. If you hold off until you’re feeling tired, you’ll be ready to fall directly off to sleep instead of obsessing over whether or not you’ll have another bout of insomnia.

You should only use your bedroom for intimate activities as well as sleep, so you shouldn’t keep things in there that could distract you. Though many people like to fall asleep with the TV on, it is a source of stimulation that can prevent sleep from coming.

If you are struggling to relax at bedtime, take a class in a relaxation technique. For example, join a yoga class and learn how to do each move correctly. You can also take a deep breathing class to learn the perfect method for calming your nerves when the time comes to sleep.

You must help yourself stay healthy by getting enough sleep every night. If you follow the tips above, you should be able to retrain your body into getting a good night’s sleep from now on. The effort you put in will be repaid through night after night of deep, restful sleep.

Insomnia Tips And Advice Straight From The Sleep Experts was originally published on Spring