Can't Sleep? Here Are 6 Sleep Aids That Could Help

Trouble sleeping is something that plagues many people. If you are one of those people, you know how frustrating it can be to toss and turn all night, exhausted but unable to fall asleep. The good news is that you can do a few things to increase your chances of getting a good night's sleep. Here are six different sleep aids that could help you get the rest you need.

1. Warm Milk

Drinking warm milk before bed has been a sleep remedy for generations, and for good reason. Milk contains tryptophan, an amino acid that helps promote sleep.

2. Sleep medicine

If warm milk does not do the trick, a variety of over-the-counter and prescription sleep medications are available. Talk to your doctor before taking anything, as some sleep medications can have side effects or interact with your other medications.

3. Hot Bath

There is something about taking a hot bath that just makes you feel sleepy. Add some soothing aromatics, like lavender, and you'll be even more relaxed. Just make sure you don't fall asleep in the tub.

4. Melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate the body's natural sleep-wake cycle. You can find it in pill form at most pharmacies. Just be sure to follow the instructions on the package, as taking too much melatonin can actually have the opposite effect and make it harder to fall asleep. 

5. White noise

For some insomniacs, there's nothing worse than lying in bed in complete silence, feeling wide awake and frustrated. A white noise or sound machine can help. With sounds like static, waves hitting the shore, soft rain falling, and even crickets, white noise lulls many people to sleep.

The soft background noise can help lull you to sleep by providing some distraction from your racing thoughts. In fact, experts estimate that adults fall asleep 38 percent faster with white noise.

6. Herbal tea

Herbal teas like chamomile or lavender tea contain compounds that can help relax the body and mind, making them perfect for drinking before bedtime. The warm liquid can help you relax and signal an end to the day.

If you are having trouble sleeping, there are things you can do to increase your chances of getting a good night's rest. Give any of the above a try, or talk to your doctor about getting a prescription sleep medicine that could help you finally get some shut-eye. For more information on sleep medicine, contact a professional near you.

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