Self-care for insomnia involves implementing lifestyle strategies that encourage sleep. This is the best way to treat insomnia. Doctors often recommend it as the first line of defense.
Self-care This may be a good idea People feel more relaxed at night, are less stressed, have a better sleep environment, and can reduce their insomnia symptoms. The cause of insomnia is what will determine which strategies work best.
While insomnia can be temporary, it can become a long-term problem. If behavior changes do not work, it’s important to seek professional medical assistance.
Continue reading to find 26 self-care tips for insomnia that can help you get better sleep.
Good sleep hygiene is an important part of self-care. first-line There are many treatments to treat insomnia. It is an easy way to improve sleep and has few risks.
Self-care for insomnia is less harmful than sleep medication and does not lead to dependence or addiction. It may not be enough for all insomnia sufferers.
In 2017, a systematic review of 15 studies revealed that education on healthy sleeping habits had a minimal to moderate impact on those suffering from insomnia.
Lifestyle changes were not as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBTi), which is a type of therapy that targets people with chronic insomnia.
Self-care for insomnia is a good idea, but some people may need additional therapies.
People may want to consult their doctor if the above changes don’t improve their symptoms.
The environment in which a person sleeps can have an impact on their sleep quality. Before trying any other strategies, it is sensible to make sure that they are able to rest comfortably and enjoy a peaceful sleep environment.
If possible, ensure that the room is:
- Cool: A comfortable sleeping space should be slightly cooler than the outside temperature, but not too cold. A person can choose the temperature they prefer by using layers of sheets and blankets.
- Comfortable: The best pillow and bed for you is one that supports your body. It is more difficult to get to sleep if the mattress is too hard or too soft.
- Dark: Avoid blue light from televisions or phones while you sleep in a darkened room. Blackout curtains or blinds may be necessary for some people to block the light from the outside.
- Without sensory stimuli It can be difficult to fall asleep due to loud noises, movement, or other sensory inputs. To drown out the noises, a person can use earplugs, a mask or a white noise machine.
A collection of practices that promote sleep hygiene are called “sleep hygiene”. While a good environment for sleep is one aspect, it also requires changes to your routine.
These are some of the options available to people:
- You should go to bed and wake up every night at the same hour, even on weekends.
- Reduce or eliminate the need to nap during the day and sleep in until late.
- You should use your bedroom for sleeping or sex only. Avoid stimulating activities like watching TV or playing games.
- Avoid blue light exposure from devices and screens.
- Reduce caffeine intake, especially in the second half the day.
- Reduce your alcohol consumption, especially at night.
- You should exercise during the day, but not at night.
- Take evening meals to the table earlier.
It is important to do something calming if someone is having trouble falling asleep. This will help to prevent people from associating their bed and insomnia.
Avoid sleeping in to catch up. Instead, get to bed earlier each night.
Stress can cause insomnia. However, insomnia can be stressful. These techniques can be used to reduce stress:
- Prioritize: Consider how important a stressful task can be. Prioritize it if it is urgent and important. Consider letting it go if it’s not important or urgent.
- Delegate: You can share household responsibilities, work or child care responsibilities with others if they are stressful. You may find a partner, a co-worker or a relative who can help.
- It’s important to write it down Instead of dwelling on your thoughts, make a list and return to the problem the next morning.
- Set boundaries: It can be helpful to establish boundaries in order to keep your evenings relaxed and stress-free. It may mean asking for a postponement of a stressful conversation, agreeing to not answer emails after work hours, and setting aside quiet time with family members.
A therapist can be consulted if stress or anxiety persists or is interfering in other areas of one’s life.
Relaxation is an active way to reduce stress. Relaxation can be achieved in many different ways. You may need to try different methods before you find the one that works. Then, incorporate them into your relaxing bedtime routine.
Here are some ideas Include:
- Guided imagery Listening to a recording can help you imagine peaceful scenes. You should think slowly and carefully about every element of the scene.
- Breathing exercises These can slow down breathing and heart rate. Box breathing is one example. This involves inhaling for 4 seconds, then holding it for 4 seconds. Inhale for four seconds and hold it for 4 seconds. Next, breathe again.
- Progressive muscle relaxation While lying down, you can slowly stretch and relax each muscle group, starting at the feet and moving up.
- Meditation: There are many meditation methods. Mindfulness meditation, for example, focuses on the present moment and not judging.
You can also include these relaxing activities in your bedtime routine:
- Warming up in a hot bath or taking a shower
- Do gentle stretching, yoga or tai-chi
- Massage or skin care
- Reading a book
Lifestyle, diet, and other activities can have an impact on how a person sleeps at night. Pay attention:
- Light exposure: Natural light exposure during the day helps to regulate the body’s circadian rhythm, especially in the morning. The body is particularly sensitive to light in the morning. First hour After you wake up.
- Diet: It can be difficult to fall asleep if you feel hungry or full. Eat balanced meals throughout the day, at regular times. Avoid eating large meals close to bedtime. A person should consult a doctor if they are concerned about sleep disorders.
- Smoking: Stop vaping or smoking. Nicotine These are links To sleep disturbances, even from secondhand smoke. Ask a household member to quit smoking.
- Foreign travel: Jet lag can occur when someone travels to another country. This can disrupt their sleep schedule.
- Conditions underpinning: Chronic pain, depression and other conditions can be a problem. Potential causes Sleep disturbances can also be caused by insomnia. Sleep disruption can also occur during menopause and pregnancy. A doctor should be consulted if the symptoms are not being managed.
- Medications: As a side effect, some medications can cause insomnia. To determine if this is possible, check the label of any medication. A doctor can help you discuss other options if it is.
Insomnia can be a common problem that can make a person feel tired and affect their quality of life. To treat insomnia, it is important to be proactive.
This approach can include self-care for insomnia. This could include adjusting your lifestyle to regulate the circadian rhythm, improving sleep hygiene, stress reduction, relaxation and practicing self-care.
Self-care isn’t always the best option. A doctor may recommend additional treatments if insomnia persists.