When you stop to consider the terrible suffering that takes place throughout the world (perhaps your own personal world) - diseases, disorders, and other persistent maladies - some of our ailments like insomnia may seem minor. But for those who toss and turn throughout the night without getting a good night’s sleep, there is nothing minor about it.
Do you suffer from sleeping problems but want natural sleeping aids that aren’t habit forming? If so, please read on for a list of suggestions and herbal remedies that will help you get to sleep tonight.
Stay Away from Caffeine
Caffeine is everywhere in our environment - it’s in chocolate bars, energy drinks, coffee and even pain medication. If you want to limit your caffeine consumption, you should avoid coffee, tea and caffeine-containing soft drinks or energy drinks. And watch out for caffeine-containing pain relievers like Anacin, Cope, Excedrin, Midol, Trigesic or Vanquish.
Remember that caffeine can stay in the system and affect the body for 8 to 12 hours after it’s been consumed. That means your lunch time coffee could be what’s keeping you awake at night.
Get Regular Physical Activity
Regular exercise can help regulate your sleep patterns. Typically, people who exercise regularly have healthy and normal sleeping patterns. If you don’t have time to run five miles, even a 15-minute, brisk walk around the block after dinner can do wonders for your sleep.
Chamomile
People have used herbs for centuries to relax, and chamomile is one of the oldest. It soothes the mind, calms the nerves and lulls the spirit - helping to reduce your anxiety and get you ready for bed. In fact, a cup of warm chamomile tea is one of the best natural sleeping aids available.
Valerian
Valerian is stinky and potent, but it’s likely the most effective herbal sedative available. It binds and attaches itself to the same parts of the brain as drugs like Valium and Xanax, but it’s an herb.
The other difference is that taking Valerian doesn’t lead to morning grogginess or trouble waking up. Instead, people report waking up feeling great and ready to take on the day. Remember, though, Valerian is a sedative and should only be taken before bed.
Hops
Hops isn’t just an ingredient in beer, it’s also a fantastic sleep regulator. Hops have been used for centuries both as an ingredient in beer and as effective remedy for sleeplessness and anxiety.
Hops should not be taken for a long period of time by pregnant women, nursing women or women at high risk for breast cancer. This is because hops contains estrogen which can imbalance a woman’s estrogen levels.
Kava-kava
Kava-kava is one of many natural sleeping aids that originates on the islands of the South Pacific. There are significant clinical studies that suggest it may be just as effective as prescribed drugs in its ability to relieve anxiety. It’s most commonly used as a sleeping aid and is completely natural, though users are advised not to take it with alcohol or other sedatives.