Insomnia

Insomnia?   Here are three tips from Meir Kryger, MD author of the e-book The iGuide to Sleep.

Find your number. Toss out the 8 hours a night rule and figure out your own sweet spot. "Before any coffee, take stock of how you feel twenty minutes after waking.  If "rotten" is the answer, hit the hay earlier tonight."

Wind down well.  Get a burst of energy around 10:00 pm?  Don't spend it wound up watching Homeland.  Instead take a warm bath or do a little reading. Do something relaxing. Same goes for computer work. If it is stimulating, save it for another time. Nix the wine at least 3 hours before bedtime. While it may help you fall asleep, once the effect wears off, it can actually keep you from sleeping.

Snack savvy.  Don't go to bed hungry!  Dairy is high in the amino acid tryptophan, which can help produce the serotonin in the brain that triggers sleep. The B6 in complex carbs also boosts serotonin so before bed, try snacking on a bowl of cereal and skim milk.


Acupuncture has proven helpful for insomniacs.  Or try acupressure, acupuncture without the needles.  The following sites show the pressure points.



http://sleepdisordersplace.com/acupressure-for-insomnia-getting-to-the-point

http://blog.massagebyheather.com/massage-for-insomnia-acupressure/

http://www.herbalshop.com/Acupressure/Acupressure_07.html