12 natural insomnia cures

Unfortunately, most of us do not get enough good-quality sleep. Research by the Sleep Health Foundation revealed that 60 per cent of Australians regularly experience sleep symptoms like having trouble falling and staying asleep, or waking too early and not being able to get back to sleep, and nearly 15 per cent have clinical insomnia.

Sleep has a direct effect on both your physical and your mental health and is essential for proper functioning of all systems in your body. It is during sleep that your body restores and regenerates, and your immune system is replenished and strengthened. While you sleep you form new memories and your cells produce and release proteins that are essential for growth and tissue repair.

How do you know if you have insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleep disorder where you have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, or both. Acute insomnia lasts for only a few days or weeks, but if you’re having issues with your sleep that last for more than three nights a week for three or more months, you are suffering from chronic insomnia.

People with insomnia commonly find it difficult to go to sleep and can wake several times during the night. They often complain of lying awake at night for long periods, or they wake up early and have difficulty getting back to sleep. Insomnia sufferers often wake feeling tired and have difficulty concentrating and feel sleepy during the day. Lack of sleep often increases feelings of anxiety and irritability.

Common causes of insomnia

Insomnia can be caused by a variety of factors including emotional stress, depression, trauma, noise (partner snoring, noisy neighbours), newborn baby waking, jet lag, shift work,