| Over the years, people who are desperate for a | | | | Ever changing bedtimes |
| good night's sleep have come up with a number of | | | | Part of the problem with people suffering from |
| ways to try and trick themselves into nodding off. | | | | insomnia is that they no reliable bedtime. Going to |
| The following self-treatments you shouldn't try at | | | | bed whenever they feel like it only reinforces the |
| home, because no matter what your friends and | | | | lack of a regular schedule. If you go to bed at |
| coworkers tell you, these are bad sleep habits. | | | | approximately the same time every night and wake |
| Sheer force of will | | | | up at the same time every morning, you condition |
| No matter how hard you try, you can't force | | | | your brain to expect sleep at the time, and such a |
| yourself to fall asleep if you have insomnia. In fact, | | | | regular schedule is conducive to better sleep. Going |
| the harder you try, the less likely it is that you'll | | | | to bed and waking up willy-nilly any time you feel like |
| actually drift off. The effort you exert actually | | | | it only makes getting into and marinating a good |
| excites the nervous system and acts to prevent | | | | sleep schedule more difficult. |
| sleep. | | | | Self diagnose and medication |
| Exercising at bedtime | | | | Treating your insomnia with something you heard |
| Some people with insomnia think that exercise close | | | | about standing around the water cooler isn't wise |
| to bedtime will wear them out so they can fall asleep | | | | idea. Don't mix herbal remedies with over the counter |
| faster and sleep better. Exercise may indeed tire the | | | | (OTC) sleep aids. Your doctor is the best qualified to |
| body, but exercise too close to bedtime is | | | | diagnose your insomnia, discover what's causing the |
| counterproductive because nighttime increase | | | | problem, and prescribe a treatment protocol tailored |
| metabolism and brain activation at the exact time | | | | to your particular situation that combines appropriate |
| your brain is trying to slow down in preparation for | | | | medication with sleep hygiene education, cognitive |
| sleep. So bedtime exercise may actually contribute to | | | | behavior therapy, and other helpful measures. |
| increased wakefulness instead of sleepiness. | | | | |