Everybody struggles to fall asleep at some point. It could be due to stress, poor sleeping habits, or an ailment; but whatever the reason, a lack of sleep has the potential to impact your life in profound ways, and if you don’t want to end up in the hospital, then find a way to fix it. For a lot of insomniacs, the easiest way to fall asleep is to pop a pill – but doing this every night only leads to a lifetime of drug dependency because you’re not solving the problem.
So because you’re having trouble solving the problem with pharmaceuticals, how about you start exploring other solutions?
We at CBD Central have a bunch of alternative treatments here that may help turn things around for you. It won’t fix everything overnight, but we believe that with the proper adjustments, you can learn to fall asleep like a baby again. So here we go:
1.    Valerian root
There is a reason to believe that valerian root can assist with inducing sleep, particularly among people with full-blown insomnia. The key is to introduce it slowly into your system and watch out for any side effects or interaction with other medication. Research is still ongoing, and at the moment it’s not advisable to give it to children or expectant women.
2.    Chamomile
Chamomile is widely used for treating sleeping disorders, and if that’s not enough, the FDA considers it a safe herb. It is safe except for individuals who are sensitive to ragweed or daisies (basically the whole Compositae family). In such cases, it could lead to allergies. Other herbs include hops, passionflower, and lemon balm. Use safely and stop using if you notice a reaction or if you find it unpleasant.
3.    Melatonin
This hormone is part of a system that determines the sleep/wake cycle. Other hormones are involved. For it to be effective, melatonin supplements should be taken at a specific time of day – or night – for it to work. If, however, you don’t prefer the supplements, you can always raise your melatonin levels by going out in the sun. Watch out for those UV rays though, and only do this do this only in the morning.
4.    Take Steps to Manage Stress
High stress levels will keep you up all night. The thing is, you won’t be able to function properly until you get rid of all that stress, and this takes conscious effort. What is it you like to do to de-stress? Find something healthy to incorporate into your life, and really make an effort to release negative energy and to focus on things that matter. Here are some things you can try:
- Journaling
- Yoga
- Guided Imagery
- Progressive muscle relaxation
5.    Eat Pro-Sleep Foods – and avoiding sleep stealers
Diet plays a HUGE role in how your body works, and this includes sleeping. If your idea of a relaxing evening is to eat a whole box of chocolates before going to bed, it might be hard to get qua sleep because of all that sugar. But the opposite is also true. Some foods can actually help you fall asleep, and stay asleep through the night. If you didn’t know about this, then add these foods to your diet and see what changes they bring.
- Cheese
- Almonds
- Salmon
- Whole grain crackers
- Cherries
- Low-fat milk
6.    Make Sleep-Friendly Lifestyle changes
There are several things you can do to enhance sleep. For starters, exercising just two or three times a week can help to reduce stress levels, increase feel-good hormones, and all the sweating will help get rid of excess fat and toxins. Another thing worth considering is taking a shower before jumping into bed. This will not only relax you, when done every night it will prepare you mentally to fall asleep and improve the quality of sleep. The last thing is avoiding computer screens and your smartphone before going to bed. You want your brain to calm down and release those sleeping hormones, but this won’t happen if you’re glued to the screen. To avoid interrupted sleep, keep your phone away and read a book instead; that way, only your creative elements are stirred up before going to sleep.  Â
Article Submitted By Community Writer
