When you consider that the average human being sleeps approximately one-third of their lives, it becomes clear how a prolonged period of sleeplessness can have an adverse affect on a persons every day life. Insomnia, as the condition is known, creates fatigue and optimum performance is greatly affected. Figures indicate that upwards of 35% of the adult population have insomnia during the course of a year, with around 7% of these suffering on a severe scale, leading to deep depression and anxiety. Concentration begins to wane, bringing with it potential accidents at home, or in the work place. Stress has been identified as one of the chief causes of insomnia, together with the use of caffeine or other stimulants, alcohol or other depressants, sedatives and changes in sleeping patterns.

There are remedies, but the problem is finding the one that helps you! Medical advise is the best way forward and usually the first thing a Doctor will suggest is to establish a routine and stick to it. Also, they may recommend that the bedroom is used only for sleep - could actually help spice things up a bit! Environmental and lifestyle factors may be the cause of insomnia, such as too much light or noise, or an uncomfortable bed; so maybe it's time to re-furnish the room. Insomnia is difficult to define because everyone has different sleep requirements, but sensible eating is likely to help irrespective of how much is necessary. Protein-rich foods like milk, tuna, wholemeal bread and potatoes are rich in an amino acid tryptophan (chemical messenger in the body), which on reaching the brain approximately an hour later, releases serotonin (hormone) that helps you relax; so if you are having troubles then these are the food sorts that should be aimed at.

Over-the-counter, self-medicating remedies such as: herbs, hormones and acupuncture are becoming increasingly popular as they alleviate potential side-effects of prescription medications. Lemon Balm is a very good herb to counteract sleep problems, as is Valepotriates, the active ingredients of valerian root, which is shown to be a natural sedative and stress reliever. Camomile tea is well known for its relaxing, sleep-inducing properties, that help to alleviate headaches and anxiety and is one of the more reliable of insomnia remedies. Some other excellent counter-actants include massages with calming oils; warm baths and drinking a warm cups of herbal tea. Germanium is a trace mineral, not only found in the body, but also present in ginseng, aloe vera and many foods - including garlic, certain mushrooms, green leafy vegetables, tuna and oysters. It increases the use of oxygen by the body's tissues, which stimulates cells to produce energy to help ease fatigue and as a consequence insomnia.