Trouble Sleeping? 12 Tips to Help Insomnia and Get a Normal Sleep Routine Again

You are tired but you have difficulty sleeping. It is starting to become a pattern and now you are thinking maybe you have insomnia. If you are having trouble getting a full night's sleep, then it's time to evaluate what may be at the root of your problem. These 12 tips will help you on the road to getting back to your normal sleep routine.

1. Instead of tossing and turning with your mind thinking and thinking or possibly worrying about something, get up for a little while and do some thing productive around your house or apartment. Clean the kitchen counters, dust a book shelf, do something small and try going back to bed again.

2. Try drinking a cup of caffeine free herbal tea. Many herbal teas are not only relaxing, they have numerous health benefits including detoxification.

3. Only try sleeping when you are actually tired. If you feel you only need a nap, then try operating on periodic naps when you are able to, if you cannot get a full time sleep. Your body will tell you when you are tired and you know when you need to sleep.

4. Have a boring book or watch a boring T.V. show. Your lack of interest may promote sleep and help solve you insomnia.

5. Analyze if your room is dark enough. Do you have adequate shades or blinds or window coverings? Is there a street light shining into your window? Consider getting light blocking window coverings or using a sleep mask to cover your eyes to promote the proper darkness.

6. Determine whether you are sensitive to noise. When you are insomniac it may be that loud noises from the street or neighbors are interfering with your ability to sleep. Or, perhaps you are so sensitive to sound that even the sound of the ticking clock keeps you restless. In either case, consider using soft earplugs, or investing in a sound machine that plays relaxing background noises such as crashing waves or nature sounds, or the sound of rain falling. Many people who travel and suffer insomnia bring portable sleep aids such as soothing sound machines.