Although it's quite common for most people to have an occasional sleepless night, lack of sleep on a regular basis can be disturbing. This is insomnia. Insomnia can leave you feeling tired and groggy throughout the day. It also causes psychological and physiological damage to the body. Before you look for a natural treatment for insomnia, consult a doctor. Sometimes, insomnia can be a symptom of another condition, like sleep apnea, lung disease, hot flashes or diabetes. When these underlying ailments are treated, insomnia may disappear too. Some natural remedies include:

Changes in lifestyle:

A major part of the food we eat is made up of toxins, which cause imbalance in the body. This acid-alkaline imbalance directly leads to insomnia in some people. Margarine, and other hydrogenated fats, refined table salt, mono sodium glutamate, sugar, chocolate, corn syrup, refined oils, baking powder, junk food, fried food, soft drinks and alcohol are all toxins. Replace these with natural foods. Vegetables and fruits contain a lot of fiber and natural enzymes that will balance the acid-alkaline ratio in the body. Fruit juices are not as good as the fruits themselves though. Avoid adding sugar to juices.

In women, insomnia is a common occurrence at the time of menopause. This may be due to the reduced levels of estrogen. Estrogen is needed by the body to absorb magnesium. Magnesium is an important nutrient that helps to relax muscles. A reduction in estrogen levels can directly cause insomnia, heart palpitations, and fibromyalgia. Magnesium-rich vegetables and fruits will help combat this problem.

Avoid stimulants during the day. Caffeine in coffee has the ability to stimulate the brain and reduce sleep. Some people can suffer from insomnia even if they have had only a single cup of coffee during the day.

Drink lots of water, as water helps to detoxify the body and flush toxins from the body.

Exercise:

Sensible exercise will help increase blood circulation and give you a pleasant feeling of being tired. But, do not over-exercise. High exercise combined with a low-fat diet can cause insomnia. Excessive exercise leads to tightening of muscles and this makes sleep difficult.

Yoga:

Yogic exercises help to improve the quality of sleep. The practice of certain postures increases blood circulation to the sleep centers in the brain, thus normalizing the sleep cycle. Deep breathing allows more oxygen into the body and clears the mind.

Tai Chi:

Originated in China as one of the martial arts, Tai Chi combines elements of workout, meditation and dance. It focuses on controlled breathing, concentration and relaxation of muscles. Over a six-month period Tai Chi can improve sleep quality and lessen insomnia.

Relaxation techniques:

Do not watch horror or crime movies just before you get to bed. Practicing a relaxation technique in bed will help induce sleep by calming the mind and relaxing the muscles. The relaxation technique does not aim to bring sleep; rather its aim is to achieve complete relaxation. Sleep will then be a natural by-product.

Reiki:

Reiki is applied via the hands of the practitioner. The practitioner simply places his or her hands on the corresponding organs of the body to facilitate healing. This results in a deeply relaxing experience. Reiki is an excellent technique for stress management. It is a self-empowering and holistic healing process.

Self-hypnosis:

Self-hypnosis consists of learning certain relaxation techniques that allow access to the subconscious mind. By using suggestions, one can persuade the subconscious mind to conquer insomnia. Many times, it is the mind's fixation with sleeplessness that leads to insomnia.

Insomnia can be treated naturally, without taking any medication. However, a firm faith in the process is absolutely necessary.