The Sleep Aid Answer
The majority adults have experienced insomnia or sleeplessness at one time or another in their lives. An estimated 30%-50% of the general population is affected by insomnia, and 10% have chronic insomnia.
Insomnia is a symptom, not a separate diagnosis or a disease. By definition, insomnia is “difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep or both” and it may be due to insufficient quality or quantity of sleep. Insomnia is not defined by a specific number of hours of sleep that one gets, since individuals vary extensively in their sleep needs and practices. Although most of us know what insomnia is and how we feel and perform after one or more sleepless nights, a small number of people seek medical advice. Many people stay unaware of the behavioral and medical options available to treat insomnia.
Most feel that they are stuck and will never feel the joy of a good night’s sleep. However, you can find help in your sleepless haze with these tips that can help with insomnia:
- Exercise is great for burning up those depression and stress chemicals
- Alcohol can really mess up your sleep. People believe since it is a depressant it will help you sleep better, but it actually makes you sleep lighter as your body metabolizes it.
- Eating a night can really mess your sleeping up and can keep you awake because it makes your stomach work into overdrive when it should be resting.
- Smokers are good candidates for insomnia. The nicotine in the cigarette acts like a stimulant and will keep you up at night.
You’ve followed all the tips for getting enough sleep — sleeping on a regular schedule, avoiding caffeine and daytime naps, exercising regularly, and managing stress. Still, a good night’s rest remains out of reach. You may be thinking about over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aids or other sleep supplements. Well, I have the sleep aid answer for you!
