by Keri Withington

Created on: March 06, 2010

Sleeplessness is becoming an epidemic.  If asked, most people will admit that they wish they got more sleep, or that they sometimes have difficulty sleeping.  Many people then turn to medication; someone that I respect admitted to me yesterday that when she really needs to sleep, she takes Nyquil before going to bed.  The problem is that it creates a cycle, so that you take a sleep aid because you can’t sleep, but then you can’t sleep without the sleep aid.  Many sleep medications have undesirable side effects and can create addictions.

Is there a better way?  There are natural sleep aids that are based on traditional and natural items and routines that can help you to fall asleep easier and sleep better.  If you suffer from insomnia, you may benefit from the following natural sleep aids.

You probably know what lavenders smell like.  They look great in gardens around the world, scent soaps favoured by old ladies, and the flowers have a delicious delicate taste.  What you probably didn’t know is that lavender is a natural tranquilizer.  You can eat it, smell it, or use essential oils from it to help to induce sleep.  To find out more about lavender, click here.

Another plant that is known to induce sleep is hops.  It is rumoured that farmers who were working near hops used to drop off to sleep in the fields.  Although the effects are probably not that strong, it does help many people to sleep.

To take advantage of the sleep-inducing qualities of both lavender and hops, why not make a special pillow with the two of them?  You can sew them into a small cushion, or put them in a mesh bag and then place the bag inside your pillow or next to your bed.  The combined effects should help you to relax and fall asleep more easily, and then sleep more deeply.  For instructions on how to make your own, click here.

St. John’s Wort is most commonly known as a natural treatment for depression.  However, it is also commonly used as a treatment for insomnia.  You will need to take it regularly for several weeks before it starts taking effect, but then the difference should be noticeable.  Keep in mind that St. John’s Wort does affect many medications (for example, it can render the Pill ineffective).

Another easy way help improve the quality of your sleep is to make your bedroom conducive to sleep.  Make sure that your bed is comfortable and inviting.  Consider if there are external factors keeping or waking you up.  It’s amazing how much easier it can be to sleep on summer nights when you have black-out blinds.  I know many people who swear by their earplugs.

I hope that these natural sleep aid ideas are helpful to you.  Keep in mind that I am not a doctor, and so you should consult with a health care professional before you start a new treatment.  Even completely natural treatments may interfere with other medications or have side effects.  However, these prdoucts are usually much healthier for you than medicinal sleep treatments. So relax, try something different, and get a good night's sleep.

Sweet dreams.

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