Sleeping Pill Alternatives

Sleeping pills can carry significant risks, such as overdose and dependency. Sleep issues have plagued people throughout history, however, and have prompted various natural, alternative solutions to the problem of insomnia.

Facts

The unfortunate fact about any kind of medicinal alternative is that no one thing works for everyone. For some people finding the right kind of sleeping pill alternative is simply a matter of treating what's keeping them awake. Other people need help staying asleep. For whichever type of sleep ailment is present, there are various ways to treat sleep issues without drugs.

Herbal Options

As in most cases, there is an herbal alternative. Dr. Andrew Weil, known for being a proponent of integrated medicine, states that one tsp. of Valerian,added to warm water, leads to great sleep and an active and energetic morning after.

Diet

Another often-used alternative is melatonin, which is actually a hormone that all people produce. It can be found in foods such as meats and grains. Tryptophan is another well-known sleep aid. It is present in foods like turkey.

Sleep Hygiene

Sleep hygiene is one of the cheaper ways of handling insomnia. It's a matter of fixing associations so that your body associates the bed strictly with sleep. This means no eating, reading or watching TV in bed. Some experts even recommend avoiding intimacy in the bed as well. Another example of practicing good sleep hygiene is developing a routine before you sleep. The human body is adept at running on a schedule, so if you can create a bedtime routine, eventually you'll end up getting sleepy at the same time every night.

Reducing Pain

Arthritis, back pain and joint pain can all easily be sleep thieves. It is a defense mechanism--pain indicates that something is wrong, and if something is wrong, we should stay awake and fix it instead of sleeping and ignoring it. Unfortunately, often sleeping it away works, putting most people in a bind. Paying attention to the pain by treating the cause or taking some painkillers can help.

Warning

Like any medication, some sleeping pill alternatives carry a set of risks. There could be harmful interactions with other drugs or supplements you are taking. Allergic reactions are also possible and can be life-threatening. Use of any kind of alternative medicine should always be coupled with a visit to the doctor or other professional with knowledge of alternative therapies.