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Insomnia is a common sleep sickness that affects many people around the world. For some, it is a chronic situation that may require medical attention; for others, an occasional nuisance. Whichever applies to you, a few tested methods can help.

You know the frustration of looking repeatedly at your clock while tossing and in your bed. It's mental and emotional stress to say the least. Just when you think you might drift off due to pure exhaustion, your alarm rings and you dread trying to get through the day with no energy.

Well, it's time to break that cycle. Here are some tips to help you fall asleep faster and sleep better through the night.

1) Go to bed at the same time and wake up at the same time, EVERYDAY, even on the weekends. Some insomniacs try to catch up on lost sleep by napping on Saturday or Sunday or 'sleeping in'. This is the biggest mistake you can make. You will disturb your body clock and make your insomnia worse. If you can't sleep one night, get up the usual time the next morning. If you'll stick with a schedule, you'll set your body clock and start sleeping like a baby. You might even find you can do without an alarm altogether.

2) Don't eat within 4 hours of your bedtime. If you're really hungry have a very light snack or a glass of milk. But don't indulge in an "eat-all-you-can" feast right before bedtime. Your body has to work hard to digest that food and this could result in discomfort while you're trying to sleep.

3) Don't drink caffeine or alcohol. Both can increase your heart rate and keep you from relaxing enough to fall asleep. Alcohol can make you feel drowsy, but once that drowsiness wears off, the restlessness will begin.

4) Manage your stress and develop outlets to work out problems during the day. Find ways to relax and stay fit. Exercise daily to release tension. Other ways to find harmony are meditating, practicing yoga, use the power of prayer or use breathing exercises to relax. Try not to take your worries to bed with you; remember that you can't do everything at once. A good night's rest will better prepare you to face your problems.

5) Never force yourself to sleep. Don't concentrate on falling asleep, just try to empty your mind. Sleep comes best if you are in a relaxed and comfortable state. Just lie down, relax, and let the sleeping fairy cast its spell upon you.

6) Fueling your body with nutritional foods and making sure you are getting all the vitamins and minerals you need to have a strong body during the day will also help you sleep at night. Choose a healthy eating plan that provides the appropriate mix of protein, carbohydrates and fats.