4 Behavioral Treatments for Insomnia
There are plenty of over the counter and prescription sleep aids to help with insomnia.
But, they shouldn't be your first option and should rarely be used more than a couple of weeks.
Instead, you should try the following behavioral modifications, which are non-invasive and may actually prove superior in treating chronic insomnia.
1) Good Sleep Practices - Improving your sleep could be as simple as adopting good sleep practices, including regular exercise, maintaining a regular sleep/wake routine, and avoiding sleep saboteurs.
2) Reconditioning - Reconditioning strengthens the association between the bedroom and falling asleep.
There are five basic rules:
Sleep restriction limits the amount of time you spend in your bed to promote more quality, efficient sleep.
The basic steps are as follows:
If insomnia is caused by anxiety, stress, or worry, relaxation therapy can help to relax the body and mind before bed.
You can perform either Progressive Muscle Relaxation Therapy or Deep Breathing.
Muscle Relaxation Therapy: Follow these simple steps to perform muscle relaxation.
But, they shouldn't be your first option and should rarely be used more than a couple of weeks.
Instead, you should try the following behavioral modifications, which are non-invasive and may actually prove superior in treating chronic insomnia.
1) Good Sleep Practices - Improving your sleep could be as simple as adopting good sleep practices, including regular exercise, maintaining a regular sleep/wake routine, and avoiding sleep saboteurs.
2) Reconditioning - Reconditioning strengthens the association between the bedroom and falling asleep.
There are five basic rules:
- Go to bed only when you are sleepy
- Use the bed only for sleep and sex; don't eat, read, watch TV in bed.
- If you don't fall asleep within 30 minutes of lying down, get up and move to another room.
Do something relaxing until you're sleepy, and then return to bed.
Repeat as often as needed. - Set your alarm and get up at that time no matter how much or how well you slept.
- Do NOT nap during the day.
Sleep restriction limits the amount of time you spend in your bed to promote more quality, efficient sleep.
The basic steps are as follows:
- Estimate how much sleep you're getting.
Let's say it's 5 hours. - Determine when you need to wake up.
If it's 6:30 A.
M.
on your first night of sleep restriction, go to bed at 1:30 A.
M no matter how sleepy you are before then. - Once you sleep well for 4-5 days at the 5 hour restricted sleep time, add another 15 minutes, but make sure your sleep doesn't become fragmented (waking up one or more times during the night).
- If sleep becomes fragmented, take a step back.
Remove 15 minutes and wait until sleep is no longer fragmented. - Repeat the process until you're up to your desired amount of sleep.
If insomnia is caused by anxiety, stress, or worry, relaxation therapy can help to relax the body and mind before bed.
You can perform either Progressive Muscle Relaxation Therapy or Deep Breathing.
Muscle Relaxation Therapy: Follow these simple steps to perform muscle relaxation.
- Find a place to sit or lie down in a comfortable position
- Take several slow breaths through your nose and exhale with a long sigh through your mouth.
- Begin by focusing on your feet and ankles.
Tighten the muscles briefly (5 to 10 seconds) and then relax them. - Work your way up your body: calves, thighs, hips, pelvic area, lower back, abdomen, middle back, upper back, shoulders, arms, hands, neck, jaw, and forehead.
- Continue to focus on your breathing throughout the process.
- Lie down on your back with your feet slightly apart.
Rest one hand on your midsection and the other on your chest. - Slowly inhale through your nose making your midsection rise.
- Pause for one second.
- Gently exhale allowing your midsection to fall.
Pause for one second. - Repeat this process for a few minutes.
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