Insomnia, or trouble sleeping, is a common condition that affects both children and adults. Issues with sleeping are numerous; they can stem from anything like anxiety, depression, health conditions, caffeine, and medications. It’s hard to know how to fix insomnia, and sometimes a sleeping pill is just the thing that works in the moment. A sleep aid is fine every once in a while, but just like any other drug, it can become addictive. When the body is unable to relax at night, sleeping pills become the “only” substance that works.

The body naturally creates melatonin, the sleeping hormone. About two hour before bed, melatonin levels increase, and create the effect of sleepiness. What some people might not realize is that light directly impacts melatonin. Whenever high lights, or phone lights are used late into the night, they interrupt the body’s natural sleeping cycle. Instead of using the phone or tv at night, opt for a book, board game, or other activity. It will help restore the body.

If sleeping pills are used in excess, they can cause a variety of problems, like dry mouth, daytime sleepiness, memory loss, strange dreams, lightheadedness, craving sleeping pills, and more. The pills that were once used to sleep become the crutch. Sleep is no longer easy, and the pills are “required” to fall asleep. Instead of falling prey to a bad sleep habit, try healthy options instead.

How to get to sleep easier? There are a great many ways to encourage sleep:

• If tired during the day, take short naps of about 20 minutes.
• Don’t use caffeine later in the day.
• Wake up at the same time every day to encourage a normal sleeping schedule.
• Finish eating a couple hours before bed to let the body digest.
• Relax before bed - meditate, journal, do yoga, etc.
• Take a hot bath or shower.

Before deciding to take sleeping pills to help with insomnia, work on the suggestions listed above. Sleep will surely come faster!