Falling asleep can be so easy, and yet at times it can be so difficult. When insomniacs meet with narcoleptics (people who have an uncontrollable tendency to fall asleep throughout the day), each is inevitably jealous of the other's condition.

The Zenlike solution for people having difficulty falling asleep is to avoid trying so hard. However, telling an insomniac to not try to fall asleep is like telling someone who is starving to try to fast when sitting at a dinner table.

It may be reassuring to know that 15 to 25 percent of all adults suffer regularly from insomnia, but this awareness usually doesn't make falling asleep any easier. In fact, there are probably readers who will now stay up nights organizing 3:00 A.M. meetings of Insomniacs Anonymous.

While some insomniacs have difficulty falling asleep, others wake up frequently and have problems staying asleep.

Do You Really Need Eight Hours of Sleep?

The good news is that everyone does not necessarily need to have eight hours of sleep a night. Some people define themselves as "insomniacs" because they regularly sleep only five or six hours, when they should think of themselves more accurately as high-energy people who don't need a lot of sleep. Some people's body rhythms are such that their highest and most creative energy occurs late at night. The wakeful state that these people experience is not a sign of illness; it may simply be a signal -- sometimes an exasperatingly loud one -- that the person should use this alert time to do some creative work.

Perhaps the best way to determine if you're getting enough sleep each night is if you feel rested and refreshed upon waking. If you don't feel rested and need some help, read the next set of strategies, and you may soon be getting sleepy, very sleepy... very, very sleepy.

Relaxation trick #1

Hypnotize yourself. Feel total relaxation in your feet, then slowly feel the relaxation move up your body. Tell yourself that each part is feeling warm, comfortable, and relaxed. Use diaphragmatic breathing that will help relax you further (see a more detailed description of this type of breathing in the Asthma chapter).

Relaxation trick #2

Massage the soles of your feet, or preferably, have them massaged for you. This type of massage can be very relaxing.

Don't sleep tight: Relaxation trick #3

Take a warm bath in which you add a couple of drops of one or more essential oils such as orange blossom, meadowsweet, and hops.

The melatonin solution

Many people swear by this one. Start by taking 1.5 mg of melatonin per day about two hours or less before bedtime. If this doesn't work, gradually increase the dose until you find a dose that seems to work (don't take more than 5 mg per day).

Hops to it

Hops is the herb that is used to make beer, and it is also used by herbalists to help people fall asleep. Some people brew a tea of it; others purchase the hops leaves and insert them into a pillow. "Dream pillows" are also available for purchase; these are small pillows filled with various sweet-smelling herbs that help you think sweet thoughts and dream sweet dreams.

Don't count sheep, count on sheep's wool

Wool blankets are better able to regulate skin and body temperature than synthetic blankets. A comfortable comforter may help you sleep better.

Avoid caffeinated products

Cafeine and other stimulants lurk in unsuspecting places, including colas, aspirin, diet pills, black tea, and of course, coffee. Nicotine in cigarettes is also a stimulant that will keep you up at night.

Avoid catnaps

Day naps should be avoided if you have problems with insomnia. Save your best 40 winks for nighttime.

Bedrooms are for sleeping

Avoid using your bedroom for stressful activities such as paying bills or doing work. Let your bedroom be a soothing, quiet, and relaxing place to be at all times.

Talk out loud

By vocally releasing the things that are bothering you, you are letting go of them. Acknowledge your anxieties, insecurities, and fears out loud. Get these emotions out and they may then let you sleep. Keeping a journal can also be very cathartic.

ullman_healer_book

(EDITOR'S NOTE: The remedies presented here have taken from the book: "The One Minute (or so) Healer" by Dan Ullman, MPH. While we present a few suggestions here, the book contains 500 simple ways to heal yourself naturally.)

DANA ULLMAN[[comma]] M.P.H. is the author of several books[[comma]] including The Homeopathic Revolution: Why Famous People and Cultural Heroes Choose Homeopathy[[comma]] the leading homeopathic guidebook[[comma]] Everybody's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine[[comma]] as well as Homeopathic Medicines for Children and Infants[[comma]]. Dana has also written two humor/health books[[comma]] entitled The Steps to Healing: Wisdom from the Sages[[comma]] the Rosemarys[[comma]] and the Times[[comma]] and The One-Minute (or so) Healer. He is the owner and director of the Homeopathic Educational Services (www.homeopathic.com). His books are available for purchase by clicking here.