ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE FOR INSOMNIA

Some traditional and anecdotal remedies for insomnia include:

• Drinking warm milk before bedtime.
• Taking a warm bath.
• Exercising vigorously for half an hour in the afternoon.
• Eating a large lunch and then having only a light eveningmeal at least three hours before bed.
• Avoiding mentally stimulating activities in the eveninghours.
• Going to bed at a reasonable hour and getting up early.
• Avoiding exposing the eyes to too much light, especially blue light, a few hours before bedtime.
• Listening to slow paced music will help insomniacs falla sleep.

Using aromatherapy may also help induce a state of restfulness, including :

• Jasmine oil
• Lavender oil
• Mahabhringaraj
• Other relaxing essential oils

Horlicks ( marketed as a sleeping aid )

The more relaxed a person is, the greater the like lihood ofgetting a good night's sleep. Relaxation techniques such as meditation have been shown to help people sleep.

Such techniques can lower stress levels from both the mind and body, which leads to a deeper, more restful sleep.

Traditional Chinese medicine has included treatment for insomnia. A typicalapproach may utilize acupuncture, dietary and lifestyle analysis, herbology and other techniques, with the goal of resolving the problem at a subtle level.

In the Buddhist tradition, people suffering from insomnia or nightmares may be advised to meditate on "loving-kindness" or metta. This practice of generating a feeling of love and good will is claimed to have a soothing and calming effect on the mind and body . This is claimed to stem partly from the creation of relaxing positive thoughts and feelings, and partly from the pacification of negative ones. In the Metta ( Mettanisamsa ) Sutta, SiddharthaGautama, the Buddha, tells the gathered monks that easeful sleep is one benefit of this form of meditation.

Hypnotherapy, self hypnosis and guided imagery can be effective in not onlyfalling asleep and staying a sleep; they can also help to develop good sleeping habits over time. Visualizing can be effective in taking the mind away from present day anxieties and towards a more relaxing place.

Posted in: health,insomnia