Insomnia: causes and cures

If you've been counting sheep till the wee hours of the morning quite regularly, you're a victim of insomnia. This condition can not only make you dread the night, but also disturb your normal flow of life. And it’s common enough to afflict around 3.5 million people in the US alone!

What causes Insomnia?

There are some known causes of insomnia, like chronic pain, restless legs syndrome, nocturnal disturbances, too much coffee, and the like. But, today, mental stress is one of the main culprits for this problem. Worries and tensions keep the mind engaged at night, keeping you wide awake. If you're stressed only for a few times, you can cope with sleeplessness. But, if you're a chronic worrier, chances are you're an insomniac too.

How it can be cured?

Of course, there are sleeping pills to put you to sleep. But, you know how harmful they can be, if taken in excess. These over-the-counter pills do more harm than good, because of their terrible side effects. However, certain alternative therapies and exercises have proven effective against sleep disorders caused by stress, depression or other psychological factors. A non-drug therapy, showing promising results, is called cognitive behavioral therapy. The therapy basically trains the patients to calm their mind and regulate their thought patterns for a sound sleep. There are many breathing and relaxation techniques too that can promote relaxation and relieve stress. read more