Homeopathic Remedies
The remedies are made from substances in nature like coffee, strychnine and arsenic that cause wakefulness in healthy people. When prepared in minute, potentized doses, and prescribed according to the principle of like cures like, they can cure insomnia. When treating chronic insomnia, we have found it best to treat the whole person homeopathically, rather than just the specific symptom of sleeplessness. These are the most commonly used remedies and their indications:

Arsenicum album- sleeplessness from worry and anxiety (especially about one's health) with a fear of dying. Wakefulness after midnight, especially 1-2 A.M. Restless, gets out of bed.

Nux vomica- insomnia from worries about business, too much stress, in a competive, aggressive person. Wakes at 3 A.M and can't get back to sleep. Exhausted from overwork.

Coffea cruda- wide eyed at 3 A.M. with overactive mind, excessive joy, feeling exited

Cocculus- sleeplessness from nursing the sick. With motion sickness, anxiety and nauses.

Chamomilla- sleeplessness from pain, nightmares, teething. Irritable, whiny, and restless.

Hypnosis, Meditation and Relaxation
Exploring the causes of the insomnia through hypnosis often sheds light on the problem. Many tapes are available which give a hypnotic induction and effective suggestions for sleep. Relaxation exercises and meditation are also excellent ways to prepare for sleep. Consciously relax your body as you prepare for sleep. Go through your body from head to toe, breathing deeply and relaxing all the muscles. Remember the feeling of going to sleep, and feel your eyes and body become warm and heavy as you relax. Some people enjoy soaking in a relaxing hot bath before bed, or having a cup of warm milk (which contains tryptophan, a sleep-inducing amino acid.)

Preparing for Sleep
Make your bedroom a peaceful sanctuary. Reserve your bed for sleeping, so that it isn't associated with waking activities. Pick a bedtime for yourself. Gradually decrease your activity level and stimulation as you prepare to go to bed. Make your surroundings soothing and comfortable, dim and quiet.

Often the time just before sleep is when your subconscious mind likes to present you with l the unfinished business of the day or your life, including all your worries and anxieties. Review your day and make plans and resolutions for the coming day, so that you know what you need to attend to and your mind can be at rest about it. Forgive yourself and others, let go of what you are holding on to and accept that there is nothing else that you can change or do today. Face your fears, including the fear of not sleeping. Accept your imperfections and look forward to tomorrow as a time for making changes and completing what was left undone today. Affirm to yourself that all is well. Feel the safety and protection that comes from your connection to God and the universe. Feel that you deserve to rest and sleep, no matter what you did or didn't do today. Keep letting go--of the day, of your tension, of your body, of your worries. Sleep is surrender-- to the tiredness, the struggle, the fear, the possibility that you might not wake up again. Keep surrendering and letting the mind dissolve, until sleep comes. Sleep easy.