Ten Tips to Beat Insomnia

10) Try to keep regular hours. - Your body likes a regular schedule and after a while it will condition itself to fall asleep at a certain time. This can be difficult if you work weird hours or have a new baby and so on but do the best you can.

9) Drink herbal tea. - Camomile, fennel, or anise tea can help you relax and fall asleep faster. You might have to try several before you find one that works for you but your local health food store will have many blends for you to choose from.

8) Try some exercise. - I didn't believe it either but once I started beating on a punching bag three times a week my stress and anxiety levels went down significantly and that allowed me to get some sleep. Getting all of that pent up energy out of your system can really work wonders.

7) Read something. - Reading can help take your mind off the rest of your day and if you pick something somewhat boring enough it can put you right to sleep. Try computer books, those seem to do the trick.

6) Soak away your stress. - A nice warm bath can help relax your muscles and get you in a sleepy mood. A few candles and some light music can heighten the effect. Don't do it too close to your bedtime though because sometimes a bath can have a stimulating effect.

5) Improve your sleeping environmnet. - Is your bed lumpy? Is there a lot of noise? Is it dark enough? There are countless environmental factors which could be adversely affecting your sleep. Do what you can to minimize those problems and you could be well on your way to a good night's sleep.

4) Learn to relax. - With your eyes closed, imagine your body gently falling asleep from your toes on up. Go slowly and really let yourself feel your body unwinding. By the time you get to your head, there is a good chance you'll fall asleep without even trying. This technique takes a little practice but it can be very effective.

3) Skip the caffeine. - As a society we tend to minimize the fact that caffeine is a drug and because of that we sometimes lose sight of the fact that it is a powerful stimulant that can wreck havoc on the human body. A good friend of mine suffered from insomnia for years, mainly because he drank a 12-pack of caffeinated pop per day. When he finally gave it up, his sleep routine returned to normal within about a week. If you must have it, cut back and consume it early in the day.

2) Try melatonin. - Melatonin is sold in health food stores and it can be very effective in getting your sleep cycle back on track. In fact, if If you are on medication or have a medical condition, be sure to let your doctor know you are taking it.

1) See a doctor. - If you have prolonged or severe insomnia, it is possible that you have an underlying condition which is causing it. These conditions range from simple stress to allergies, heart disease, and even Parkinson's disease. A thorough check-up now could not only help your insomnia but it could save your life!