Trying to stay healthy and establishing a routine are good ways to combat insomnia. But sometimes you need some extra help. And it often isn’t what the doctor will prescribe. So, here are some holistic treatments for sleep to try as an extra help or alternative to OTC medication.
Essential Oils and Lotions
Using essential oils is the first venture into holistic therapy for most people. Scents are believed to change the way you feel. Because of this, there is a massive industry dedicated to it. Today you can buy scented candles, essential oils and balms, and melatonin lotion to help promote better sleep. Some scents can improve your energy, and others relax you. Some of the most well-known and effective fragrances for helping you sleep are lavender, vanilla, and chamomile.
Meditation and Yoga
There are many ways to relax your mind and try to de-stress. And some of the most effective is meditation and yoga. You are probably better off trying meditation first if you have never done yoga before. From there, you can try beginner yoga like Hatha. However, even meditating can be hard if your mind is too frantic. So it’s best to start with a guided meditation using apps like Headspace. Yoga poses for sleep include Wide-Knee, Standing Forward, and Corpse Pose.
Holistic Treatments for Sleep Includes Exercise
Insomnia studies have been going on since the late 1800s. And even though we understand more today, it isn’t much. And some specific sleep disorders just can’t be treated. However, you can help your sleep with some types of exercises. Aerobic exercises, in particular, have been shown to be effective in promoting sleep. These are exercises often referred to as cardio. And they are also easy and include walking or jogging, cycling, and swimming to elevate heart rates.
Vitamin and Mineral Supplements
There is some debate about the effectiveness of vitamins and minerals. Yet people who use them swear by them. And studies show they can be a great help if you are deficient in certain things. You can use vitamin supplements such as B, C, and D to promote sleep since these help balance your energy throughout the day. Minerals such as magnesium also help with this. But you can also try taking certain supplements such as melatonin, valerian, and Ashwagandha.
Reflexology Methods
Like yoga and meditation, there are other methods of holistic health that have been around for centuries, if not millennia. And these are the ancient reflexology practices that almost every ancient culture has. The Chinese have acupuncture, Japan has shiatsu, and India has ayurvedic reflexology. All these methods aim to work on certain pressure points in your body to relieve tension and realign the energy in your body, which is thought to cause most ailments.
Summary
There are some helpful holistic treatments for sleep you can try. Many of these have been around for a long time, and millions of people use them. These include essential oils and lotions, cardio exercise, and reflexology such as acupuncture, shiatsu, and ayurvedic treatments.
