Not sleeping has to be one of the most frustrating things a person has to deal with that doesn't seem to have an immediate solution.

It is reasonably normal to experience difficulty sleeping from time to time and when you do you usually know what the problem is. It could be illness (blocked nose or a cough keeping you awake), stress (laying awake worrying about something) or any number of transient occurances in your life.

However, it appears that many people suffer from poor sleep not just occassionally but reguarly - and this doesn't necessarily include those who are constantly disturbed by their partner snoring!

Restless or distrubed sleep is so common in our modern lifestyle that it seems only reasonable to conclude that there is a connection. My personal experience has shown me that if I do certain things:

• overstimulate myself prior to bedtime by watching TV or sitting at the computer too long
• drink wine.... I think it's the preservatives that keep me awake
• eat too much at dinner time

These kinds of things will tend to make it difficult for me to sleep or give me a less than peaceful nights rest.

There are also some things that if I don't do them, I can find myself awake in the middle of the night, or feeling unrested in the morning:

• ensure that there are the right amount of bedcovers on the bed - too hot and too cold make for discomfort all night long,
• leave the windows open a little to allow fresh air to circulate - I hate a stuffy room
• don't move enough during the day, how can a body rest, if it has done no work
  

If your sleep problems are temporary then you probably have little to worry about and once you can 'name' your problem it usually goes away or you can deal with it.

If your sleep problems are recurring here are three simple things you can do:

1. Excercise - every single day you need to work your body.  This is what we were designed to do, we are very efficient walkers and our physical wellbeing demands that we move our bodies every day.  Many people live such sedentary lives that this just doesn't happen and for some of those, sleep problems follow.  Go for an evening walk, do some morning yoga stretches, swim or cycle, play with your kids or pets with a ball, do some gardening, paint the house!  Your options are endless, just do it.
2. A warm bath or shower can sometimes bring on deep relaxation that can lead you down that pathway to blissful sleep.  I find that I wake up with a warm shower of I have it too close to bedtime, but if I time it well then my body is clean and fresh, my mind is relaxed and I can easily drift into sleep.
3. Try some aromatherapy on your pillow.  There are many scents that induce relaxation and I'm sure you will find one that works for you.
4. I know I said three but.... meditation before bed is my all time favourite way to immerse myself in a state of relaxed, calm and peaceful energy.  It is impossible for me not be get a good nights sleep if I meditate prior to (or even in) bed of an evening.

If you have a chronic sleep problem or it's becoming a long term habit.  Get some help from a professional, be it a medical doctor or an alternative health practitioner, there are things that can help.