About Sleep Difficulties

Virtually everybody has problems sleeping at some time or other.

Good advice for people who find it difficult to get to sleep

• Exercise often helps you sleep, but avoid exercising shortly before you go to bed.
• Write down your worries rather than fret about them while you're trying to sleep.
• A warm bath before bed can help.
• Try not to eat large meals before bedtime.
• Drinking alcohol may also disturb your night's sleep, though a small night-cap can help you to fall asleep in the first place.
• Cut down on drinks containing caffeine (coffee, tea, cocoa, and cola), especially late at night.
• Make sure you have a comfortable bed. The bedroom itself should be well ventilated and cool and as dark and quiet as possible.
• Don't go to bed until you feel tired.
• Sex just before bedtime can both promote and impede sleep. Men may sleep well after sex, whereas women may liven up.
• Read a book until you feel dozy. Get up again if you are not able to sleep within half an hour. Sit down, read the paper, listen to some music and go back to bed half an hour later.
• Get up at the same time every morning. Set the alarm and get out of bed quickly, even if you have had a late or sleepless night. This way, at the end of the day you'll probably feel tired and sleepy at just the right time. If you do this for a sufficient number of days, you will successfully adjust your inner clock and get tired when you need to.

Many people find herbal remedies useful in getting them off to sleep. Using natural remedies such as passiflora, valerian or lavender aromatic oils as aromatherapy can aid relaxation prior to sleep.

NiteHerb, containing 150 mg of Valerian root extract, is a traditional herbal medicinal product used for the temporary relief of sleep disturbances due to symptoms of mild anxiety exclusively based on long-standing use as a traditional remedy. Always read the label.