a restless woman in bed staring at the alarm clock

Insomnia

This content originally appeared on

tasteforlife.com

What is Insomnia?

Insomnia is trouble getting to sleep and/or problems staying asleep.

What Causes Insomnia?

It can be caused by stress, health problems, nutrient deficiencies, or a busy mind.

How Do I fight Insomnia?

Lifestyle
- Establish regular exercise and sleep routines.
- Stop caffeine after 4 p.m. and screen time an hour before bed.
- Also consider:
  - yoga
  - hypnosis
  - biofeedback
  - progressive relaxation
  - guided imagery
  - meditation
Body Work
- acupuncture
- acupressure
Aromatherapy

Massage with essential oils:
- lavender
- bitter orange
Herbal Therapy
- ashwagandha
- chamomile
- hops
- kava kava
- lemon balm
- passionflower
- rhodiola
- St. John’s wort
- valerian
Homeopathy
- Arsenicum album
- Coffea cruda
- Gelsemium
- Nux vomica
- Rhus toxicodendron
- Ignatia
Supplements
- Calcium
- magnesium
- melatonin
- omega 3s
- vitamin B12

Click to See Our Sources

Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief by David Winston and Steven Maimes ($18.95, Healing Arts, 2007)

“Do You Have Trouble Sleeping? More Magnesium Might Help” by Forrest Nielsen, USDA, www.ars.usda.gov, 7/9/07

“Exercise Is No Quick Cure for Insomnia,” Northwestern University, 8/15/13

“Magnesium Supplementation Improves Indicators of Low Magnesium Status and Inflammatory Stress in Adults . . . with Poor Quality Sleep” by F. H. Nielsen et al.,Magnes Res, 12/1/10

Medicinal Herbs by Rosemary Gladstar ($14.95, Storey Publishing, 2012)

“Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine),” 11/13, www.MayoClinic.com