Try one of the natural cures for insomnia if you're suffering from sleepless nights but don't want to use traditional medications. There are many approaches and natural sleep aids that can successfully treat insomnia, without risking the potential side effects of prescription or over-the-counter medicine.

To help you choose the best natural sleep remedy for your condition, explore the selection of natural cures for insomnia listed below. Many of them are simple, inexpensive, and can be surprisingly effective.

Relaxation Techniques

Going to bed stressed or angry can nearly guarantee that you'll spend a lot of time staring at the ceiling instead of quickly drifting off to sleep. With anxiety and tension, your mind will be racing instead of reaching a state of calm in preparation for sleep.

One of the best natural cures for insomnia is to focus on slowing down your brain and body for at least one to two hours before bedtime. When you let the stresses and strains of everyday life melt away, you'll be more likely to fall asleep and stay asleep.

You can reduce the negative effects of stress on your mind and body by practicing some simple relaxation techniques, as well.

In addition, follow these guidelines to prepare yourself for a good night's sleep.

• Limit exercise.
  Don't exercise for at least 3 hours prior to going to bed. The exception to this rule is gentle exercise such as stretching or yoga or doing a calming, deep-breathing routine. Mental imagery and visualization can also help you relax and prepare for sleep.
• Watch what you eat and drink.
  Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and fatty or spicy foods in the hours leading up to bedtime. Replace them with foods that contain tryptophan (bananas, dates, milk and turkey are just a few of these). Foods high in carbohydrates, such as whole wheat bread or crackers can also improve your sleep, as they raise the levels of Seratonin in your body. To learn more about diet and sleep inducing foods, click here.

  Herbal teas, which have no caffeine, can produce a calming effect bedtime and particularly those with chamomile and valerian.

• Take a warm bath
  Sinking into a tub full of warm water can feel wonderfully relaxing at the end of a long day. Don't make it too hot though. Also, try adding a few drops of calming aromatherapy oil and make your bath even more soothing.
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  Improve Your Sleep Environment
  
• Your bedroom
  An important natural cure for insomnia is to improve your sleeping habits and sleep comfort. Your bedroom should be cool, dark, and quiet. It should be a tranquil place rather than used as an office, exercise room, or home theater. Keep this room for sleeping only (the exceptions being to relax and make love.
• Your PJ's
  The only real rule here is to wear what you feel comfortable in. Bear in mind that natural, breathable fabrics such as cotton or silk tend to be higher on the comfort scale than many man-made fabrics. Choose designs that are loose and don't restrict movement. Especially for children, flame-retardant finishes are essential.
• Your Bed
  Ditch your mattress if it's old - or too hard, soft or lumpy. There are lots of options when it comes to buying a new mattress and you don't have to spend a fortune (unless you want to) to find one that feels comfortable. Take your time choosing, pick one that feels good when you lie on it. If in doubt, choose a medium-level of firmness.

  Use good sheets with a 200 thread-count per inch or more (the higher the thread-count the softer they'll be). Blankets, comforters, and duvets should be the correct weight for the season. And, if your pillows have seen better days buy some new ones.

Other Natural Cures for Insomnia

• Natural Sleep Aids
  If you're suffering from short term insomnia, a natural sleep aid could be beneficial. Most herbal sleep remedies have a gentle sedative effect that promotes deep, restful sleep - without the side effects of over-the-counter or prescription sleeping pills.
• Aromatherapy
  Aromatherapy can play an effective role when you're considering natural cures for insomnia. Use a few drops of essential oils in your bathwater, aromatherapy massage oil, scented candles, or a pillow filled with relaxing herbs (such as lavender, chamomile ,or ylang ylang) to help get the quality sleep you need.

   

• Acupuncture
  Acupuncture can be used to improve your sleep and has many other applications, as well. Acupuncture can be tailored to restore a normal balance between the stress and relaxation hormones in your body.
• Melatonin
  Melatonin is a hormone produced by your body that regulates sleep/wake cycles. If for any reason your body isn't producing enough melatonin, or your sleep cycles are a bit 'out of whack' (due to shift work or jet lag), you may want to consider supplementing your body's supply of melatonin with a natural dietary supplement that contains the synthetic version of this hormone

Before trying any of these natural cures for insomnia, talk with your doctor about your sleep issues. Discuss these natural approaches and get his or her input. Keep in mind that herbal products may negatively interact with some types of medication and health conditions. Yet for many, natural sleep remedies can facilitate the return of healthy, restful sleep.