Are you trying to get more sleep every night, only to lie awake for hours at a time? There are a number of underlying issues that could be causing your lack of sleep. Your naturopath or chiropractor may be able to prescribe some treatments that can help you sleep better once you get a handle on the problem. Here are some things that could be causing your insomnia:

Blood Sugar Imbalance

One factor that leads to insomnia in many people is out-of-control blood sugar. There are some people who will wake during the night because their blood sugar is dropping, causing them to feel ill. One of the most natural ways to control blood sugar levels is through a healthy diet. You should eat a balanced breakfast each morning to combat sugar lows in the morning. It should be a meal that consists of lean protein and whole grains. Continue to eat balanced meals during the day. Before bed, you may want to have a small snack of protein to help ward off the risk of low blood sugar levels. Great bedtime snacks include items like peanut butter toast made with whole grain bread or a hard boiled egg.

Hormonal Imbalance

People, particularly women, may have a hard time falling asleep when their hormones are out of balance. Women especially will suffer from hot flashes and night sweats that make sleeping very uncomfortable. You may also experience these symptoms if your thyroid gland is not regulated. There are some natural medications and herbal supplements that are available to help you balance out your hormones and help you sleep better. You will have to work closely with your naturopath or chiropractor to develop a course of medications and supplements that will help your particular symptoms.

Stress

Stress is a major deterrent to a good night's sleep. When you are stressed, it seems like your mind is going non-stop all night long, which makes it difficult to sleep. Whether the stress is work related or you are worried about everything you didn't accomplish in a day, it is important to do everything you can to calm yourself before bedtime.

The key to de-stressing at night is through a good routine that prepares your brain for sleep. You need to establish a quiet time each night to do things that help you become sleepy. You can meditate, take a bubble bath, read, and anything else that quiets your mind before bed. If you notice that you are still stressed, you may need to talk to your naturopath about the possibility of hyperstimulated adrenal glands. Overstimulation can cause stress hormones to remain in the bloodstream for longer periods of time, making it more difficult to fall asleep. Fortunately, there are some natural ways to help remedy that problem through herbal treatments and natural medications.

Sleep is so vital to your health and well-being. If you are having health problems related to a lack of sleep, be sure to see your chiropractor or naturopath, such as someone from Healing Hands Chiropractic and Massage, to help get you on the right track to a good night's sleep.