Self medication is the first major mistake you can make. Pills and alcohol can make things worse. An extra glass of wine is not the answer. Sometimes it puts you to sleep, but you can wake up in the middle of the night wide awake.

The most successful treatment, according to a study in The Journal of the American Medical Association this year, is a combination of behavioral therapy for insomnia and medication; but the long-term outcome is improved when medication is discontinued during treatment. In therapy, specialists go over the importance of exercise, good sleep habits, environmental factors that can keep people awake (lights, being too warm), and relaxation techniques. Physicians can recommend sleep experts who are covered by insurance.

If you are a having temporary sleeping problem try these things:
1. Listen to audio books or classical music in the dark.
2. Read using a book light so you don't have light shining on you.
3. Do not check e-mail or play video games because lights signal the brain to wake up,
4. Don’t stay in bed if you are stressing over not sleeping. You should not associate your bed or bedroom with chronic insomnia.

If the insomnia persists, call your physician.


U.S.TODAY