The fixes Underlying medical problems for chronic insomnia should be treated, experts say. Some cases of insomnia can be treated effectively with behavioral therapy. A patient may be advised to get up at the same time every day, go to bed only when sleepy and not focus too much on daytime impairments from sleep loss. If you are worried about a problem, keep note cards or a tape recorder near the bed. If you wake up, jot down what's bothering you or tell it to the tape recorder and put it aside, Neubauer says.
Some people find it helpful to do that before they get into the bed.
Our society is so busy that many people find the first moment they have to reflect on the happenings of the day is when they've gotten in bed and turned off the light, which is really when they want to fall asleep. Some sleep problems can be treated with sleeping pills. Roth says there is little evidence that the drugs used today are addictive like the barbiturates of the '60s, but some do have side effects, including drowsiness and headaches. Natural remedies can be effective, depending on the individual. For some, drinking herbal tea or warm milk helps induce sleep.