Natural Sleep Aid Tips and Remedies

This article is a summary of some of the sleep aid remedies that are described in greater detail and with recipes and instructions at www.sleep-aid-tips.com

Balance and perspective:

At certain times, insomnia may result from stress.

Massage techniques can ease tense necks, aching shoulders and upright torsos, and face massage can be an instant calmer.

Some stress is an inevitable part of life, but when you need to achieve a state of inner calm, a range of meditation and visualization techniques can help you work through your insecurities, worries and anxieties.

With practice, stress can be diminished so that it is no longer a cause of sleepless nights.

A calm environment:

Lack of sleep can also be exacerbated by external factors such as noise, a "busy" atmosphere in the bedroom, or simply the wrong type of mattress.

By making the best of your physical environment, you can reduce or remove many of these detrimental factors.

Following the principles of feng shui you can arrange your bedroom space to best effect and remove clutter that can clog free-flowing "chi" or energy.

Choosing a calming room décor and lighting scheme can soothe the senses, while establishing a bed-time ritual can make sleep a pleasant and comforting experience to look forward to.

Pampering treatments:

In view of the many demands made by daily life, it is essential to find time to switch off from cares and worries in the evening, and indulge in some personal quality time.

However busy you are, you should take time to wind down before trying to go to sleep, otherwise your mind will still be buzzing with the concerns of the day.

Surrounding yourself with gentle candlelight and sinking into a hot bath laced with aromatherapy oils or herbal sachets can go a long way to soothe and prepare your body for sleep.

Essential oils such as lavender and clary sage added to the water help to diminish tension headaches and muscular aches, while bath bags or bath salts made with chamomile help to ease stress.

You can also use the natural energies from flowers and herbs as a base for warming foot baths, soporific sleep pillows and effective sleep tinctures.

Bedtime snacks:

You ate dinner at 6pm; it's now 11.30pm and you're ready to go to bed, but now you're feeling hungry and thirsty again.

What do you do? Instead of raiding the refrigerator for a substantial and perhaps indigestible meal, it is better to opt for a light snack, such as toast with a topping and perhaps a hot, comforting beverage.

Try to avoid tea and coffee as they are stimulants and will tend to keep you awake if you drink them late in the day.

Instead, herbal teas prepared for their sedative properties may be sipped in the evening, while warm, milky drinks are ideal for consumption before bed ? milk contains peptides that calm the system.

The occasional hot toddy can also provide a delicious way to wind down, and this is particularly good on a cold winter's evening, especially if you are suffering from a cold.

Calming the psyche:

Sometimes it is difficult to sleep due to excessive emotions, such as fear, excitement or anxiety. Crystal therapy can help to calm heartache; choosing the right stones can also calm restlessness and anxiety, and help to regulate sleep patterns.

Crystals can be helpful when bad dreams and nightmares are keeping you awake, as can techniques such as visualizing a guardian angel or spiritual protector. When you have perplexing or mystifying dreams, it can be very helpful to write down what happened before you forget, so that you can ponder and try to analyze them later on.

Working towards an understanding of your dreams adds an enjoyable richness to what can be the fascinating pageant of sleep.

Exercise to relax:

Keeping the body moving is essential for good sleep ? without exercise, you 3will not be physically tired enough to rest at night. Aerobic activities such as walking and cycling exercise the heart and tone the muscles, while some specific yoga techniques provide an excellent way to stretch and relax.

Instant fixes:

If all else fails and you are still awake in the dead of night, try some or all, of these quick insomnia cures:

? Lie on your back with your knees propped up on a small pillow
? Sleep with your head pointing in the direction North
? Get up the same time every morning and go to bed at the same time

every night for a week
? Visualize yourself in a peaceful place, such as a field full of wildflowers with a gentle breeze blowing, or near a gently flowing stream where you can see fish swimming past you.
? Visualize a boring scenario, such as a lecture you have no interest in
? Read out loud the names and numbers from the phone book
? Reserve your bedroom and the bed as a place for sleep only
? Wiggle your toes gently until you fall asleep
? Rub your stomach lightly
? Cut up a mild onion, place in a jar by the bed and sniff before retiring.
? Think of ten wonderful things that have happened to you today
? Squeeze all your muscles together tightly for a few minutes and

then relax.
? Threaten yourself that "If I am not asleep within the next 10 minutes, I will get up and?" clean the oven, or clean the fridge?.whatever you really hate doing? When your brain knows you really mean it - this will scare you to sleep to avoid a nasty chore!

Avoid these sleep deterrents:

? Drinking excessive alcohol
? Smoking cigarettes
? Drinking caffeine
? Taking long naps in the afternoon
? Watching disturbing films prior to bed
? Reading mentally stimulating books prior to bed
? Playing video games
? Listening to fast paced or loud, stimulating music.

About the Author: Helene Malmsio is an student and advocate of self help strategies for improvement in all areas of life, including health. The results of her self help personal development studies can be seen at her sites: http://personal-enterprise-self-help-resou rces.com and http://sleep-aid-tips.com

---

Pyrethre: Pest Terminator

HistoryThe pyrethre herb is supposedly named after a famous temple... Read More

Watch Out for Alternative Medicine Charlatans!

Forget those CrystalsAs an integrative medical practitioner, I keep an... Read More

Natural Arthritis Pain Relief - By Doing Simple Arthritis Exercises

Treating arthritis is not easy. Apart from the regular medication,... Read More

Natural Aphrodisiacs - The Right Way

Aphrodisiacs are amongst the oldest cures, being ones of the... Read More

Healing Crisis A Natural Part of Body Cleansing

Introduction to A Healing Crisis An increasing number of people... Read More

5 Low Cost Ways to Soothe the Sting of Sunburn

Each of us most likely has at least one memory... Read More

Aspergers Syndrome and its Symptoms

Asperger's syndrome is a condition common in young children who... Read More

Cliff Kuhn M.D.s Fun Commandments Unlock Humors Amazingly Powerful Natural Medicine

My Fun Commandments are more relevant today than ever before... Read More

Using Carrot Juice for Relieving Constipation

Carrot JuiceCarrot juices contain certain oils that work on the... Read More

Holistic Health

Holistic Health involves natural treatment options like holistic health nutrition,... Read More

Holistic Is Not A Four-Lettered Word

If you're anything like me, then you've got a certain... Read More

Tap Away Your Fears

In my workshops we use energy techniques that involve tapping... Read More

The Effects of Diet on Infertiltiy

Overwhelmed by studies, research and the constantly changing diet, nutrition... Read More

Detoxification and Your Health: The Bodies 7 Channels of Elimination!

If you want to be healthy you need to understand... Read More

Alternative Medicine vs Conventional Medicine - Part 1

The term 'alternative medicine' that is so commonly used today... Read More

Quantum Biology and Its Uses for Aromatherapy

Bel'Air has brought in cutting edge medical technology from Europe... Read More

How to Treat Your Liver Right

The liver has many functions, but the one I will... Read More

How I Overcame Anxiety/Panic Attacks

Has this ever happened to you, out of the blue,... Read More

How to Use Herbal Salves & Ointments to Shrink Your Hemorrhoids

Comfrey Herbal SalveHere is an herbal combination that contains herbs... Read More

4 Natural Home Remedies to Ease the Pain of Sunburn

At some time or another, we've all experienced the effects... Read More

Anti Aging Tips & Techniques

Aging occurs due to the growth of the tissues and... Read More

What Is Reflexology?

For the Reflexologist, the feet are a microcosm of the... Read More

The Secret Weapon To Beat SARS Is In Your Head

Just when you thought you had all the fun you... Read More

Crystal Healing

Ask and you shall receive!! Persuaded by popular demand, I... Read More

Different Detox-cleansing Regimes

Your body should clean itself naturally, but today's diets make... Read More

Which to Use When: Ice or Heat?

Knee pain after running? Wake up with a backache? Twist... Read More

Holistic Medicine

Holistic Medicine involves natural treatment options like holistic nutrition, herbology,... Read More

At-Home Relief For Ingrown Hairs

#1 Use Antibiotic SoapAntibiotic soap helps to clear up and... Read More

Air Purifiers, Are They Worth The Money?

When you suffer from allergies or asthma, you may think... Read More

The Truth About Dandelions!

Dandelions are not weeds! They are wild vegetables. In Greek... Read More

How To Improve Your Mood And Health With Deep Breathing Exercises

It is relatively well known now that exercise releases endorphins... Read More

Fruits, Juices, and Food for Relieving Hemorrhoids Part II

Eating the right kind of food and following good eating... Read More

Bodily Attributes!

The revolution is indeed underway. Money married to desire, imagination... Read More