Insomnia Cures: How to Fall Asleep Faster

Did you have difficulty falling asleep last night? Does it sometimes feel as if you need to learn how to fall asleep all over again?  Are there any insomnia cures?

What is Insomnia?

Insomnia is the inability to obtain sufficient sleep or difficulty in falling or staying asleep.  It may last just a few days, a couple of weeks, or it can be chronic, lasting months and months.  Going without a good night’s sleep for more than a couple of nights can be dangerous to your health.

What Causes Insomnia?

Causes for insomnia can basically be broken down into three categories: Lifestyle changes, Physical causes, and Psychological causes.

Lifestyle changes include dramatic changes that may have occurred in your life recently.  A new job, a new living arrangement, having a newborn baby, traveling to a new time zone, or a rotating work shift can easily interfere with your sleep.

Physical causes of insomnia include going through menopause, quitting smoking, changing your diet, exercising too close to bedtime or not exercising at all, and taking illegal substances.  Prescription medication may also cause difficulty in sleeping, so if you suspect your medication is keeping you from sleeping, talk to your doctor.  Some over-the-counter cold medications and diet supplements can interfere with sleeping as can drinking too much caffeine and/or drinking it too close to bedtime.

Psychological causes of insomnia are common and many have probably experienced not being able to fall asleep due to stress or anxiety.  Depression can also be a cause for tossing and turning at night.

Identifying Symptoms of Insomnia

Insomnia includes a variety of symptoms and is not just about the inability to sleep.  Trouble falling asleep, interrupted sleep, lack of energy during the day – feeling so tired you feel you need a nap, or waking up exhausted are also symptoms of insomnia.

How to Fall Asleep Faster

Are there any insomnia cures?  Aside from having your doctor prescribe a sleeping medication, learning how to fall asleep again naturally can be done.

Antihistamines can be used as they tend to make you drowsy; however, long-term use in the elderly may cause memory loss.  Hypnosis has been touted as an insomnia cure, however, it may be expensive, and therefore, not an option for many.

Some people have used controlled breathing techniques as a way to fall asleep.  Others de-stress with a massage and/or soothing music.  Meditation has also helped many people, as has exercising regularly, but not too close to bedtime.  Reducing overall caffeine intake and having caffeine earlier in the day rather than later has also helped people with their sleeping goals.

Insomnia robs us of the ability to get good sleep, something we all need. Although there aren’t any known insomnia cures, other than a prescription from a doctor, relearning how to fall asleep faster is possible.