Everyone has probably had a sleepless night before – tossing and turning in bed and not getting any rest or even a minute of shuteye – and everyone knows how such a night can affect his daily routine and his overall health. Now just imagine what an insomniac feels after countless sleepless nights. They become irritable, suffer from headaches, and feel drowsy throughout the entire day, making them unable to perform daily activities effectively. Getting a restful sleep regularly is important because it helps the body properly regenerate and repair itself, allows the person to stay alert and focused, and prevents mental illnesses and depression.
Sleeplessness can be caused by a number of things, most common of which are a disturbance in the regular sleeping habits, stress and even jetlag. When any of these factors prevent a person from getting restful sleep, the results can be very unhealthy. This is the reason why people turn to sleeping aids to get that much-needed sleep.
Aside from prescription medication, homeopathic sleep aids, herbal sleeping pills and relaxation exercises are also available for people who have trouble sleeping. These alternatives have also been considered as healthier compared to over-the-counter sleeping pills which might cause dependency and other harmful side effects to the user. One of these alternatives, homeopathic sleep aids, is not a pill but a form of exercise. Yoga, meditation and mind and muscle relaxation techniques can help treat sleep deprivation related to stress and allow the person to get a good rest.
Herbal sleeping aids may refer to herbal sleeping pills or teas that also help the body relax and induce sleep. Most herbal sleeping capsules contain various ingredients like valerian, melatonin, Tryptophan and SAMe. Melatonin in these capsules is often referred to as the “sleep hormone” because it is a hormone naturally produced by the body which is also considered a short-term insomnia solution. Valerian, when taken in small doses, can help someone suffering from insomnia get a restful sleep.
Tryptophan is an amino acid that promotes healthy sleep habits. Like Tryptophan, SAMe or S-Adenosyl methionine, is a serotonin-related sleeping aid that increases serotonin levels in the body, causing the body to have normal sleep cycles. SAMe can also double as an antidepressant.
Exercising and taking herbal sleeping pills might be the better alternative for people who have trouble sleeping. Taking natural ingredients instead of artificial sleep remedies is always good for the body, so insomniacs should try out these natural alternatives over prescription sleeping pills.