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Treat Insomnia by Cutting Out Naps

Babies need a great deal of sleep to grow and be healthy and it is not uncommon for a newborn baby to sleep for almost the entire day. They have many naps throughout the day as their bodies develop and mature. As they grow older they need less sleep. Once they reach around three or four years old, they no longer require an afternoon nap but may sleep for ten or twelve hours during the night.

The sleeping habits of adults is quite different. Adults need around seven or eight hours of sleep per night. Unfortunately, many adults suffer from insomnia and struggle to get more than four or five hours of sleep per night. To counteract this, people may decide to take naps during the day. They may think a short 20 or 30 minute nap in the middle of the day will leave them revitalised. However, that short nap may in fact be the cause of their insomnia.

Our body refuels and revitalises when we sleep at night. If we have have had a good nights sleep we generally wake up refreshed and ready to take on the day ahead. If we then nap during the day it can throw the whole sleep routine off. If you try to catch a bit more sleep by taking a nap you can end up being so refreshed and revitalised that when it comes time to sleep at night, you are not tired. You remain wide awake and the result is insomnia.

Instead of taking an afternoon nap to revitalise, try to find another activity to keep you going through the day. Some ideas for activities which can refresh you during the afternoon, as well as help you sleep well at night, include:

Going for a walk. If you tend to nap shortly after lunch, use that time to go for a walk instead. Regular exercise is a good way to treat insomnia but it also aids digestion after eating.

Taking up a hobby. Although 20 or 30 minutes per day doesn't sound like a lot of time, it is enough for a break from your regular routine and to take up a hobby such as knitting. If you enjoy playing golf you could purchase in indoor putting green and practice your swing for half and hour.

Making a phone call. Call someone you haven't spoken to for a while. Instead of napping, work on your relationships. Talking to friends can also help you relax.

Although you might find taking a nap to be a necessary afternoon pick me up, you could be creating a sleeping disorder for yourself. You need a routine to sleep well. Try to go to bed at the same time each day, get up at the same time each morning, and avoid taking naps. This could easily be the natural insomnia treatment you have been looking for.