How To Cure Insomnia

How to Cure Insomnia: Ending the Stress Cycle

Not being able to sleep at night is a consistent and troubling state of existence for many people. Insomniacs complain about the day's worries coming back to them, and not being able to "turn their brains off". Insomnia can actually become a strange and dysfunctional cycle: caused by the day's stress, insomnia leads to more stress during the nighttime; and sleep-deprivation is only an additional cause of stress the next day.

Everybody has worries, and there's no way to get rid of all your troubles or responsibilities. But realize that stress can become a dysfunctional habit; learning to handle stress and sleeping well at night come hand in hand. Worrying less means sleeping better; and sleeping better means being more productive and worrying less, in the long run.

If you are looking for a solution to your insomnia, take a few minutes before going to bed to “unwind.” Schedule this time into your routine, so you won't ever feel it's getting too late, and you just need to get to sleep. For ideas on how to unwind:

1. Spend a few minutes before bedtime sitting quietly (not in bed!), in a dark room. Get rid of distractions. Listen to soothing sounds. Concentrate on breathing deeply. Pray or meditate. As your mind relaxes, so will your body, and you'll fall asleep more naturally.

2. Focus on aroma therapy. Take a soak in a warm, scented bath, or burn some incense or scented candles. Aside from the bath, these can be used in conjunction with the idea above. Consider using a variety of relaxation routines from time to time.

3. If you still can't get stressful thoughts out of your mind, then get out pen and paper, and start writing about them. Concentrate on your worries, and write them out. Then give yourself solutions. Write about how you will deal with your worries, and even if tomorrow is a difficult day, comfort yourself that the best and most joyous moments can come during the most difficult of days.

You don't have to spend a long time doing any of these – 15-20 minutes should go a long way, just concentrate on the moment's experience, and leave the rest behind.