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Learn2 Cope With Insomnia

Douse the Midnight Oil...

Are you reading this at 4 a.m.? Or, are you reading it at 4 p.m., but through bleary eyes? Then you probably need no introduction to insomnia.

For one reason or another, whether it's stress, eating habits, lack of exercise or another cause, you've found your sleeping habits disturbed. Insomnia often results from such imbalances.
Here are some simple yet effective remedies to this problem.

Before You Begin:
You can use the following steps individually, or combine them for a greater effort. We'll start with strategies to help you fall asleep tonight. Then we'll move on to general lifestyle recommendations that encourage healthful sleeping.

It's important to recognize that, if worse comes to worst, you can get by on a few hours of sleep a night (at least in the short term).

Worry shouldn't compound one sleepless hour into five.

Choose one of these exercises and stick with it for a while, rather than jumping around a lot.

Time:
Give each of the techniques described here at least 15 minutes before moving on to the next one. (But try not to keep an eye on the clock, as that's counter-productive.)

What You'll Need:

  • A comfortable bed (is it large enough for you?)
  • A dark room (if outside light's bothering you, consider thicker curtains)

    Optional:

  • An eye pillow (see Tips)
  • A set of earplugs

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