Do you sit up at night not bothering to go to bed because you know you won't sleep? Or, do you climb into bed and then toss and turn getting more and more frustrated because sleep won't come? If so, don't despair because help is at hand.

Whether you are suffering from short-term, transient insomnia or longer-term chronic severe insomnia, curing insomnia is simpler than you might think.

Here are 7 simple steps that provide a natural cure for insomnia and that will set you on the road to better sleep.

Step 1. Set yourself a bedtime routine.

Set a time for going to bed and for getting up in the morning and stick to them. Experts agree that most of us need about seven or eight hours sleep a night, but this varies from person to person. You'll know yourself whether you can manage comfortably on six hours a night, or perhaps need as long as nine hours. Whatever the case, set your bedtime and wake up times accordingly and then keep strictly to them.

Step 2. Arrange your bedroom for sleep.

Your bedroom should only ever be used for sleeping (and for making love), so arrange it accordingly.

Set the temperature at a comfortable, cool level (ideally between 65 and 70 degrees), and make sure that your bedroom is well ventilated. If possible, sleep with a window open or, if this isn't practical, ensure that air can circulate through the room, perhaps by using a fan. Also, make your bedroom as dark as possible when it's time to sleep and avoid the common mistake of leaving a light on in case you need to get up during the night.

Step 3. Lower external stimulation.

Avoid doing anything that is likely to stimulate either your body or your mind in the hour or two before bedtime. Don't do your daily workout during this time, or decorate the spare bedroom.

Also, try to cut out television in the run-up to bed. I know, this is not easy and you might even say "it's impossible". If this is the case, then don't give this particular pleasure up but try to be selective in what you watch and choose programs that are relaxing.

Step 4. Lower internal stimulation.

If you're a tea or coffee drinker then try to cut these out of your evening routine. This also applies to other drinks that contain caffeine, or high levels of sugar, such as many colas and hot chocolate.

Also, avoid drinking alcohol. Although a drink before bed might well help you to get to sleep, it will certainly not help the quality of the sleep that you get.

Step 5. Avoid overeating.

If, like many people, you enjoy a bedtime snack then keep your late night meal small and avoid high protein foods and foods that contain a lot of fat or sugar.

Try a small bowl or cereal or a low-fat yoghurt.

Step 6. Clear out your worries and concerns.

If you're the type of person who goes to bed with your mind racing and runs over all of the worries and concerns of the day then here's a tip for clearing the clutter from your head.

Shortly before you go to bed, take a notebook and write down all your worries and concerns. The simple act of committing these to paper will allow your mind to let them go and relax.

Step 7. Take positive steps to induce relaxation.

It's easy to talk about the need to be relaxed when you settle to sleep, but how often do you actually take steps to relax yourself, rather than hope that relaxation will come.

Add relaxation, and perhaps meditation, exercises to your bedtime routine!

Climb into bed about 15 minutes before it's time to turn out the light. Get comfortable, close your eyes and practice one of the many relaxation or meditation exercises available. With a little practice you'll find yourself falling asleep before you've finished your exercise.

The natural remedy for insomnia

The seven steps outlined here are just a small sample of the many things that you can do to cure insomnia.

The secret to curing insomnia doesn't lie in the all too commonly used sleeping pills, but is to be found in a few simple changes to your lifestyle and in setting yourself a clear routine.

Make a few simple changes to your lifestyle today and start enjoying better sleep tomorrow.

Copyright 2005 Donald Saunders - http://help-me-to-sleep.com

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About the Author
Donald Saunders is the author of a number of health publications including "How To Get A Good Night's Sleep - Simple Solutions To Help You Rest". To pick up your free copy of this guide visit: http://help-me-to-sleep.com/insomnia/