Tired of being tired? Get to sleep with these reader-recommended and expert-vetted remedies for insomnia.
How’d you sleep last night? If you’re like the millions who report they don’t regularly get a enough sleep, you may have insomnia, which affects nearly 30 percent of adults. The lack of zzz’s can spell trouble. Those who struggle with insomnia are at increased risk for heart attacks, hypertension, and obesity.
If your sleep issues are affecting your day-to-day abilities, you should talk with your doctor. You can also boost your snooze with these easy home remedies from Everyday Health Facebook fans, plus expert takes from Jeanne Duffy, PhD, an associate professor of sleep medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and Carolyn Harrington, a holistic health practitioner in New York.
Warm Milk for Sweet Dreams
“I drink a cup of warm milk just like my Grandma used to make.” — Tracie Neeley
Dr. Duffy says: “This tip falls into the general category of establishing an evening or pre-sleep routine, which many people find helps them make the transition from the day’s activities to the relaxed state that allows them to fall sleep. The good thing is that there are many different ways to do this, and the important thing is to choose a routine that makes you feel relaxed, and then stick with it every night, not just on nights when you’re more stressed than usual.”
Soothing Tunes for Sleep
“Have a relaxing CD playing on repeat all night, at a very low volume.” — Mark Bonnefin
Dr. Duffy says: “While we generally recommend that people not use the television or radio to help them fall asleep, for some individuals this may help. However, in many cases, using music, sound, or television to fall asleep may backfire, as the sound may wake you later on in the night. In that case, you might want to switch from music to some other pre-sleep routine to relax.”
A Spoonful of Apple Cider Vinegar Before Bedtime
“Drink one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in 8 ounces of water just before bedtime.” — Julie Patel
Carolyn Harrington says: “Some people find that drinking this mixture just before bedtime helps them to get to sleep quicker and sleep much longer. Although it is not known exactly how or why this works, there are enough people who swear by this remedy to give it some credence.”
Sharon Tanenbaum
NOV