Yoga and meditation are both phenomenal for sleep. They both upregulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for “rest and digest.” Exercising in the morning is great for sleep as well because it would make you tired by the end of the day.
Having a sound sleep has an effect on the individual’s mood to exercise the next day . You can also opt for gentle yoga, meditation, and chanting. These are age-old techniques for getting better sleep as they align the chakras and soothe your mind. Take a look at our article on Yoga Poses To Cure Insomnia for six wonderful asanas that can become lifesavers for your sleepless nights.
If doing yoga and meditation is not your cup of tea, simply chant a resounding‘OM’ or just concentrate solely on your breathing until you drift into a deep slumber.
Amanda Jayne O’Hare, a blogger, shared her experience of managing severe insomnia in her blog. She wrote, “ I kept my blackout blinds. So I started to live in spite of my severe, punishing lack of sleep and I started to get my life back; enjoyment back, and the sleep hinted it returns too .”
Infographic: Complications Of Insomnia
Sleep is just as crucial as a balanced diet and regular exercise. Whatever the cause, insomnia can impact your mental and physical health. Compared to those who get enough sleep, those with insomnia report a lower quality of life. Check out the infographic below to find out more about how it can affect your life at various levels.
Insomnia is the inability to fall or stay asleep, disrupting your health and life. It is classified into acute insomnia and chronic insomnia, depending on the duration of the condition. Stress and trauma are the causes of acute insomnia. On the other hand, chronic insomnia can be a side effect of medications for asthma, colds, allergies, neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, etc. Irritability, fatigue, poor concentration, and headache are some of the debilitating effects of insomnia. Different therapies and treatments like acupuncture, acupressure, reflexology, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and relaxing massages can also help in treating insomnia. While it may appear difficult to deal with, you can improve your sleep by using the above home remedies and relaxation practices such as yoga.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the symptoms of insomnia?
Insomnia is mainly characterized by the inability to either fall asleep or stay asleep or both. You toss and turn throughout the night without a wink of sleep. And even if you do manage to fall asleep, you cannot stay asleep for long. You wake up and the same routine repeats. You wake up in the morning feeling absolutely unrested, tired, irritable, and even depressed.
What to avoid to prevent insomnia?
Need a good night’s sleep? Make sure you avoid the following:
- Do not touch any sources of caffeine at least four hours before bedtime. Caffeine is a sleep wrecker that is found in coffee, colas, and some medicines as well.
- Switch off cellphones, iPads, laptops, TV, or any other light emitting devices as these stimulate the mind and do not let you fall asleep.
- Stop smoking. Nicotine, like caffeine, is a natural stimulant and keeps you awake.
- Excessive amounts of alcohol can also disrupt your sleep cycle. Keep a tab on the amount of alcohol you consume.
- Eat lighter meals during the evenings and nights. A heavy meal can also hinder your ability to fall asleep.
- Also, reduce your sugar intake in the evenings to avoid the sugar-high activity of the brain.
Does oil pulling help to treat insomnia?
Oil pulling or oil swishing is known to give you healthier teeth and gums and also clear out your sinuses. It is said that it also helps in curing insomnia, but there aren’t any significant results to prove this. People have tried this home remedy, but there is no consistency in the effects it has had on their insomnia symptoms.
Can insomnia go away on its own?
Yes, insomnia may go away without any medical help. However, you may have to identify and change the habits or problems that disrupt your sleep.
Is insomnia a mental illness?
No, it’s not. However, mental stress and anxiety may lead to insomnia. It could be a symptom of these issues.
Is there a blood test for insomnia?
No, there is no specific test to diagnose insomnia.
How long will insomnia last?
Short-term insomnia may last for 1 to 2 weeks. However, chronic insomnia may last for months.
Can you recover from insomnia?
Yes, recognizing the root cause of insomnia, following the remedies mentioned above, and making lifestyle changes, like maintaining sleep hygiene which includes having a regular sleep schedule, sleeping in a clean, dark room on a comfortable bed, and removing all electronic devices from the room may help you recover from insomnia. You can also use white noise to mask any other background noise to help you sleep, although it’s not recommended to do so every night.
Do not let your mind and body suffer due to insomnia and its after effects. Use the above listed home remedies for insomnia or sleeplessness and do let us know how our article helped you. Share your feedback in the comments section below.
Key Takeaways
- Some of the causes of insomnia include medications, neurological and sleep disorders, or even menopause.
- Tryptophan in milk acts as a calming agent that helps induce sleep and treat insomnia.
- Essential oils, such as lavender, coconut, castor, black seed, fish, and rosewood, help treat insomnia.
- Apigenin in chamomile tea reacts with brain receptors to provide a relaxant effect and may help you get sound sleep. Green and rooibos teas also help treat insomnia for their sleep-inducing effects.
Struggling with insomnia? Look no further! This insightful video presents four effective home remedies to tackle sleepless nights. Say goodbye to counting sheep and say hello to a well-deserved, peaceful slumber. Rest, recharge, and reclaim your nights!