What are some other natural alternatives to defeating insomnia?

I've been told that counting backwards from 100 by 3's helps.

I don't know why, other than it probably takes enough focus to do that, that you stop thinking about everything else.

I think, breathing exercises can really help. Aromatherapy may also help.

At one point I was really having trouble sleeping, but I don't know if it would be classified insomnia in the clinical sense. Either way, I bought some Valerian herbal supplement and took them at night. They really helped me sleep.

I think it comes from the Valerian root or something like that. It might be worth a try.

I read once somewhere ( can't direct you to it) that by getting up at dawn for a week or so, you may 'reset' your internal clock and thus get sleepy at an appropriate time. It said, (I believe) that the light at dawn had a special luminosity that would reset things for you. It might be worth a try.

Sorry I can't remember where I read the above information but maybe the following website might help. It talks about light intensities etc.

If I have trouble falling asleep, I take a teaspoon of yogurt, and I am asleep in a minute.

I've found that doing the ironing makes me tired! The heat and the exertion of the activity always makes me tired after an hour or so.

Hot milk and honey also has helped my insomnia in the past.

There is no alternative, whenever you're tired or maybe want to just go to bed regardless if you're tired, close your eyes and go to sleep, mind over matter.

Happiness! :D my sister actually did a paper last week on the effects of depression on sleeping habbits. This would explain why exercising might help, because it releases hormones that make you happy.

Focus your thoughts when in bed, don't let your mind wander, counting is usually best for that.

The most useful remedy for my restless mind syndrome,is to relax with music and drink a glass of iced water and realize I'm not going to fall asleep at 10 but 12 oclock.....

I think exercising and being active then taking a nice refreshing bathe does it!

I do not have a cleaver solution to offer, I suffer from insomnia as well and wanted to share you are not alone. Valerian root does not work for me either.

When I was in college, opening up chemistry book helped me fall asleep easily though! :-) Good luck.

5-HTP or Melatonin cream.. 5-HTP is a mood enhancer as well, if anxiety is what is keeping you up.

I have a friend who took melatonin regularly that helped her.

Ssaul- I think the exercising one is a good idea, although I have been exercising alot and I still have insomnia.

The breathing techniques idea sound good as well.

To everyone who answered this request: THANK YOU!

123chri123- No thanks! I would rather have insomnia than drink urine, gross!

Your options are fewer without sleep inducing chemicals.

5-htp is reasonably natural, along with melatonin. Try avoiding stimulants and stress and anxiety. Take up exercising so your body is tired and ready to sleep physically, if not mentally.

Establish solid routines, look up sleep hygiene, and if worse comes to worst, consider some benign drugs from time to time, at least initially as you work up a routine.

I would say caffeine free herbal tea would help to relax. There are also many relaxation exercises and breathing exercises that help. Changing some bad habits, such as watching tv in bed and eating late are also other things that may help.

They have some nice teas that could help, but if your problem is not being able to turn your mind off because of stress, meditation would be your best bet.

Sometimes having a sandwich helps me. There is no easy answer in many cases.

Lying on your back and trying to visualize stars with your eyes closed if you can do it long enough. Try to concentrate on staring blankly and look for the stars... they will appear. It's a kind of self hypnosis and requires a bit of practice and will work much of the time... it requires not being too stressed out that your mind is racing.

Trying to look for the stars helps take your mind off the thoughts that are keeping you awake.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.