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 evening meal at least three hours before bed.
• Avoiding mentally stimulating activities in the evening hours.
• 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 fall asleep.
• Using aromatherapy may also help induce a state of restfulness, including :

o Jasmine oil

o Lavender oil

o Mahabhringaraj

o Other relaxing essential oils

o Horlicks ( marketed as a sleeping aid )

The more relaxed a person is, the greater the likelihood of getting 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 typical approach 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 goodwill 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 Mettā ( Mettanisamsa ) Sutta, Siddhartha Gautama, 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 only falling asleep and staying asleep; 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.