Only those of us that suffer or have suffered from sleep depravation can truly understand what it’s like to try and think and function as a human being running on half steam. There are so many causes for sleeplessness that there is no cure-for-all remedy or treatment. However, so long as you can identify the root cause of your problem, you will be in a much better position to find the right treatments, cures, and remedies for your condition.
One of the more common yet most overlooked causes for insomnia is simply because folks have gotten themselves into bad sleep patterns. By this I mean going to bed at a different time every night, staying up all night and sleeping all day at the weekends, and basically just not practicing any kind of sleep routine.
People who develop a consistent routine of waking up and going to bed at the same time everyday, (even at the weekends), often find they can say goodbye to their lack of sleep once and for all, and once again, they are able to function normally during the daylight hours. If you have problems sleeping, you might want to take a look at your sleep pattern.
People who worry a lot often find they take their woes to be with them, and this can keep us tossing and turning all night long. My grandmother used to say, “You die if you worry, and you die if you don’t! So why worry?” Okay so that’s easier said than done, but if this is you then you really should try not to take your worries to bed with you. After all, you can’t do everything at once, and whatever it is that’s keeping you awake will be there in the morning whether you sleep or not. Be good to yourself and try to live in the moment as much as possible.
There are many great books on how to live in the ‘now’ and some folks find that by adopting some of the suggestions outlined in these publications, they are able to get their sleep back on track.
One friend of mine that used to suffer greatly from insomnia found a simple yet powerful bedtime ritual which has helped him sleep like a log ever since. Before he puts his head on the pillow at night he asks himself 2 questions. 1. “Did I deliberately upset or hurt anyone today?” and, 2. “Did I do anything to deliberately upset or hurt myself today?”
But even if he answers ‘yes’ to any of the above questions, he promises himself that he’ll try harder to be more tolerant and compassionate towards himself and others tomorrow. Simple, yet effective way of clearing the mind of any wrongdoing, and it’s quite often this latent and subconscious shame or guilt that we carry around which keeps many of us awake at night. Sound daft? Try it! You could be pleasantly surprised by the results.
There are many treatments and remedies for sleeplessness, some good, some not so good, and other which are just pure poppycock, and it’s important to note that what works for one may not work for another. Finding a cure for ‘your’ sleep problem is first identifying the cause, and then practicing a few of the suggested treatments and remedies.
Some of the more simple solutions for mild sleep disorders include exercising in the afternoon, drinking warm milk or other warm bedtime beverage before going to sleep, avoiding anything too mentally stimulating during the evening hours, and just getting into the habit of going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.