Many people undergo short-term insomnia. This sleep trouble can make it tough to fall asleep and stay asleep until it is time to wake up.
However, the amount of sleep required varies from person to person. Most people need a minimum of seven hours of sleep a night. If your sleeping patterns are influencing your quality of life, home remedies may be able to help.
Why Use Home Remedies For Insomnia?
Read on to know how you can take control of your sleeping patterns through home remedies, exercise, and meditation.
1. Exercise
Exercise promotes overall health. It can improve your mood, aid in weight loss, give you more energy, and promote sleep.
Participants at a 2015 study exercised for at least 150 minutes per week for six months. During this period, researchers found that the participants felt fewer symptoms of insomnia. They also showed decreased symptoms of anxiety and depression.
You need to engage in moderate exercise for at least 20 minutes daily to get these benefits. You may add vigorous exercise or some strength training a couple of times weekly. Find the time of day that that best fits your requirements and has the most positive impact on your sleep.
Consider your body’s condition and exercise accordingly. Physical injury is possible, but can generally be avoided if you exercise with care.
2. Glycine
Glycine is an amino acid that makes a significant impact on the nervous system. Studies show it may help improve sleep.
The functioning of Glycine is not clear yet, but glycine is believed to act by reducing body temperature at bedtime, indicating that it’s time to sleep.
In one study, participants suffering from insomnia consumed 3 g of a placebo or glycine immediately before bedtime.
Those from the glycine assembly described feeling less tired the next day. They also said their peppiness, liveliness, and clear-headedness were higher the following day.
Another study reviewed the effects of glycine in participants experiencing poor sleep. Researchers took estimations of the heart rate, brain waves, and breathing while they slept.
Participants who took 3 grams of glycine showed improved objective measures of sleep quality compared to the placebo. Glycine supplements also helped participants fall asleep quicker.
You can purchase glycine in pill form or as a powder that can be diluted in water. According to the study, taking fewer than 31 grams per day appears to be safe, but more studies are required.
You can also absorb glycine by eating foods rich in the nutrient, including meat, beans, eggs, bone broth, poultry, fish, kale, spinach, cabbage, and fruits like bananas and kiwis.
3. Lavender Oil
Lavender is used to improving mood, reduce pain, and encourage sleep. Taking it, orally, is believed to be effective.
Outcomes of a 2014 study revealed that lavender oil capsules helped promote sleep patterns in people dealing with anxiety when taken with an antidepressant. Individuals also showed reduced levels of stress, which would apparently allow for better sleep.
Consume 20 to 80 mg of lavender orally daily, or use as directed. You might want to add lavender essential oil into a diffuser or spray it over your pillow. Lavender tea is also an option.
Lavender is generally safe to use. Taking lavender orally may cause constipation, headache, or nausea.
4. Magnesium
Magnesium can help muscles relax and alleviate stress. This is considered to encourage healthful sleep patterns.
Participants in a 2012 study consumed 500 milligrams (mg) of magnesium every day for two months. During this period, researchers found that participants felt fewer symptoms of insomnia and enhanced sleep patterns.
Men may take up to 400 milligrams daily, and women may take up to 300 mg daily. You may decide to divide your dosage between the morning and evening or have your dose before bed.
You may also put 1 cup of magnesium flakes in your evening bath, letting the magnesium to be absorbed through your skin.
Side effects include stomach and intestinal issues. You may like to begin with a lower dose and slowly increase to observe how your body responds. Taking it with meals may lessen any abdominal discomfort. If you take any drugs, check with your doctor to determine potential interactions.
You should not take magnesium supplements regularly. Take a break for a few days fortnightly. Do not take more than the prescribed dose found on this item.
5. Mantra Repetition
Reciting a mantra or positive affirmation frequently can help focus and calm your mind. Mantras are said to create feelings of comfort by relaxing the mind.
Researchers in a 2015 study prepared women who are homeless to repeat a mantra calmly during the day and before sleeping. Participants who proceeded to use the mantra over a week felt reduced levels of insomnia.
You may select a mantra in Sanskrit, English, or another language. Look online for ideas or create one that feels right for you. Pick a mantra that you find calming and pleasant. It must be a simple statement in the present tense. A mantra will let you always focus on the repetition of sound, which will enable you to unwind and go to sleep.
Sing the mantra mentally or aloud, retaining your focus on the words. Slowly ring your thoughts back to the mantra every time it wanders. You may also play music with chanting. Don’t hesitate to recite your mantra. You might want another mantra to recite in the daytime.
If you feel the chanting is making any ill effects or anxiety, stop the practice.
6. Massage
Researchers in a 2015 study discovered Massage therapy to help people with insomnia by improving sleep quality and daytime dysfunction. It might also reduce feelings of depression, anxiety, and pain.
If a professional massage is not an option, you can do self-massage. You might also find it helpful to have a spouse or friend give you a massage. Let your mind concentrate on the senses and the feelings of touch. Research online for tips and tricks.
While massage is safe, if you have any health issues that may impede the benefits, check with your doctor. If your skin is allergic to some oils or creams, make sure to do a skin patch test.
7. Melatonin
Melatonin can help you fall asleep quickly and improve the quality of your sleep.
Researchers in a 2016 study discovered Melatonin to improve sleep patterns in people with insomnia and cancer. Sleep quality was enhanced even more between 7 to 14 days.
Take 1 to 5 mg at least 30 minutes before going to bed. You should use the lowest useful dose possible, as higher doses may induce side effects.
It may cause:
- irritability
- Depression
- dizziness
- wakefulness in the night
- headaches
- stomach cramps
8. Mindfulness Meditation
Mindfulness meditation includes slow, constant breathing while sitting silently. You observe your body, breath, feelings, thoughts, and feelings as they arise and pass.
Mindfulness Meditation has many health benefits that go hand-in-hand with a healthful lifestyle encouraging proper sleep. It’s said to improve concentration, reduce stress, and boost immunity.
Researchers in 2011 found that meditation significantly helped with insomnia and overall sleep patterns. Participants visited a weekly meditation class, a daylong retreat, and practiced at home over a few months.
You can meditate as frequently as you like. If you do not have time for a more extended session, aim to do 15 minutes in the morning or evening. Think about joining a meditation group to stay motivated. You might also choose to perform an online meditation.
Meditation is safe to practice, but it can bring up strong feelings. Discontinue the practice if you feel it’s causing you further turmoil or angst.
9. Passion Flower
Passion Flower, also called Passiflora incarnata or maypop, is a popular herbal cure for insomnia.
The species of passionflower associated with sleep improvements are native to North America. They are also currently grown in Asia, Europe, Africa, and Australia.
The sleep-promoting effects of passionflower have been shown in animal studies. Its impact on humans seems to based on the form consumed.
One research in humans compared the effects of passion blossom tea to those of a placebo tea prepared from parsley leaves.
Participants consumed each tea around one hour before going to bed for one week, getting a one-week break among the two teas. Each tea bag was left to steep for 10 minutes, and researchers took unbiased measurements of sleep quality.
At the end of the three-week analyzation, the measurements indicated the participants hadn’t experienced changes in sleep.
Although, when they were asked to rate their sleep quality subjectively, they rated it around 5% higher following the passionflower tea week compared to the parsley tea week.
On the other hand, one more study compared the effects of a 1.2-gram passionflower supplement, traditional sleeping pills, and a placebo. The researchers found no difference between the passionflower supplements and the placebo.
More studies are needed, but it is worth noting that passionflower intake is safe in adults. For now, it seems that passionflower may provide more benefits when consumed as a tea than as a supplement.
10. Valerian Root
Valerian is an herb having origin in Asia and Europe. Its root is used as a cure for symptoms of depression, anxiety, and melancholy.
Valerian root is among the most commonly used sleep-promoting supplements in Europe and the US.
Yet, study results remain contradictory.
For instance, two new studies stated that 300–900 mg of Valerian taken a right before bedtime can improve sleep quality.
Nonetheless, all the noted improvements in these studies were subjective. They depend on participants’ perception of sleep quality instead of objective measurements obtained during sleep, such as heart rate or brain waves.
Although short-term consumption of valerian root seems to be safe for adults, with lesser, rare side effects such as dizziness.
So despite the absence of objective measures behind Valerian, adults may think about testing it out for themselves.
However, safety remains unclear for use long-term and in special populations such as pregnant or lactating women.
11. Yoga
Yoga has been observed to have a beneficial effect on sleep quality. Boosts mental focus, improves physical functioning, and may relieve stress.
Pick a style that focuses more on moving meditation or breath work rather than difficult physical movements. Slow, controlled movements permit you to remain focused and present. Yin and restorative yoga are great options.
Strive to do a couple of at least 20 minutes of, and periods each week. Performing the positions can help you relax and unwind.
If a pose does not seem good for you, do not force it. Forcing it might result in injury. It is essential to do what feels good for you and your entire body, which varies from person to person.
More Tips To Overcome Insomnia
Specific lifestyle changes may help reduce your symptoms of sleeplessness. You might wish to provide these a shot before seeking out medicinal or supplemental options.
Tips and tricks
- Avoid chemicals that disrupt sleep, such as alcohol, caffeine, and smoking.
- Eat smaller meals at night and at least 2 hours before bed.
- Stay engaged, but exercise in the morning.
- Have a hot bath at the end of the day.
- Avoid displays one to two hours before bed.
- Keep your bedroom cool and dark, and try to use it only for sleeping.
- Get into bed only if you are tired.
- Escape bed if you don’t fall asleep within 20 minutes.