Introduction - What is Insomnia?

Dear Insomnia Symptom Sufferer

5 Helpful Tips for Dealing with Insomnia

How Many Ways to Cure Insomnia

Searching for Insomnia Cures?

Simple Facts About Insomnia

Simple Sleep Techniques to Help Insomnia

The Possible Causes of Chronic Insomnia

Treating Insomnia Naturally

Treatment for Chronic Insomnia

What Insomnia Medications Can Give You Relief?

Contributed by Phil Tsang

Are you searching for insomnia cures? You may have come across many products on the market that promise quick results. However, most of these promises should be avoided like the plague. So what can be done to counter this growing problem?

Insomnia cures are needed for this growing epidemic. More than a third of adults are suffering from sleep problems. It's a scary statistic; however, for a large proportion of the population, it has become the norm.

For a staggering 40% of insomniacs, over-the-counter sleeping pills are relied upon to aid sleep. But how effective are they? And are they really good for you in the long run?

In the short term, taking over the counter sleeping pills can cause drowsiness and grogginess. In the long term, an insomnia sufferer will develop an increase tolerance to such medication through excessive use. What is needed is a long term solution which does not require medication.

Most sufferers treat insomnia like a cold or a cough, believing that it can be cured with the use of a few pills. It's easy to fall into this way of thinking because we believe what we see. We turn on the TV and see sleep aids advertised by big corporations. We instinctively assume that there is a quick fix solution and that the big corporations are not just in it for the money.

The truth is there is no such thing as a quick fix solution to solve insomnia. But, there are solutions out there and if you look and are prepared to try other methods, you will find in fact that most effective methods out there are non-pharmaceutical.

Natural insomnia cures do exist, it's just a matter of finding them. So if they exist why are there still so many people suffering from insomnia? Well, the fact is, only 5% of insomniacs seek help from their doctors. That might seem strange, but insomnia sufferers tend to live with it and tend not to address their problem. Unfortunately, most sufferers don't realize the seriousness of insomnia until it develops into a long term illness.

Where do you look for insomnia cures? Well, that answer really depends on what you are willing to try. We are all different and indeed what works for others may not work for you.

Many people are turning towards alternative medicines and practices. We live in a world and age where information is only a few clicks away. Many people have cured their insomnia with alternative therapies. There are many alternative solutions out there if you are prepared to look. These include hypnotherapy, acupuncture, reflexology and aromatherapy to name a few.

Did you know that even when you're sitting in front of the TV your mind is still exhibiting high brainwaves called beta? In fact most of us spend most our lives in either the beta state or delta state. When you begin to doze off to sleep at night your brain will exhibit lower brainwaves called Alpha and Theta. That is, if you're lucky enough to doze off to sleep! These stages are important in initiating deep sleep. During deep sleep the brain will be in the Theta or Delta state.

Now, did you know that you can train the mind to go into the Alpha or Theta stages at will? By doing this, you will find that you can fall asleep far more quickly.

Meditation is a powerful tool you can use to alleviate stress, which is often the cause of insomnia. With regular practice you can enter the Alpha and Theta stages at will.

The following is a mini meditation exercise that you can literally practice anywhere. You could be at work, watching the TV or waiting at a bus stop. Although I don't recommended practicing it whilst physically doing anything, i.e. operating machinery or driving which require your full attention.

Step 1:
So give yourself a moment from whatever you're doing i.e. if you're at work at your desk, stop what you're doing and ensure that you're in a comfortably seated position. A good posture is important, so make sure you're sitting upright and your feet are flat on the ground with your palms on your thighs. Roll your shoulders and loosen up your muscles if need be. You can close your eyes or keep them open, just let them relax and un-focus.

Step 2:
Breathe slowly and deeply through your nose, feel your chest rise as you breathe. When your lungs are at full capacity, release the air from your lungs slowly through your mouth (the same time it takes for an in-breath). With each exhalation feel a wave of relaxation flow through your body from your head to your toes.

Step 3:
Continue this deep slow breathing for at least 10 breaths, the longer the better. If you want you can count up until your desired amount of breaths or visualize something peaceful during the practice. This will help you to switch off from your current environment, especially if it's noisy, busy and stressful. Visualizing something peaceful will give your mind a break and help you to focus on your relaxation and breathing. Go find an image of the beach or a place you can find peace on Google, set it as your desktop image and go to that place whenever you feel like a mini holiday!

Step 4:
When you are finished, open your eyes (if they were closed) and slowly bring movement to your body, if you want you can stretch, roll your shoulders back, or roll your head. And that's it, simple as that!

Although some people might say that meditation should be practised for a longer duration, this is essentially meditation. Practice this mini meditation exercise throughout the day and it will help you to remain calm and relaxed.

I hope you enjoyed this article on insomnia cures. If you are interested in more free information, tips and advice visit my website below.

About the Author
Philip Tsang is a teacher and author of the book, How to Beat Insomnia . For many years he has carried out extensive research in alternative medicines and practices such as acupuncture, reflexology, NLP and hypnosis. Using this knowledge he has helped thousands of people cure their insomnia. If you have trouble sleeping and want to know more on how you can cure your insomnia, please visit the Sleep Techniques site now.