Insomnia is becoming more common in today's hurried lifestyles. It can affect anyone from children to the elderly and can be very hard to overcome. Daytime drowsiness as a result of not sleeping properly can have a profound affect causing accidents at work or when driving and making the sufferer very irritable.

Insomnia results from poor quality sleep and not necessarily the amount. Someone suffering from insomnia often can't complete the natural sleep cycle and this is what causes tiredness and irritability during the day.

What causes insomnia? It can be due to many different reasons including worries and anxieties. If you have something on your mind it can be very hard to switch off at bedtime causing you to lay awake for what seems like hours.

Eating very late at night can also cause insomnia as a full stomach can be very uncomfortable when lying down trying to sleep. Some people have a sensitivity to caffeine and drinking coffee or tea to late in the evening can make you feel wide awake and not ready for sleep.

Alcohol may make you feel relaxed and drowsy, but too much can disrupt your night's sleep causing you to wake up at frequent intervals.

Shift workers often suffer from insomnia as trying to sleep during day time hours can prove difficult with outside noises such as birds singing and the noise of traffic. Unless you have heavy curtains sunlight will make it very hard to sleep properly.

The body produces a chemical called melatonin around dusk and this prepares us for sleep. Lack of this chemical will disrupt your sleep cycle. 

 If you suffer from allergies such as house dust mites then your sleep may be affected. A sensitivity to dust can cause swelling in the nasal passages resulting in difficulty in breathing, snoring and subsequent insomnia. Some people are also sensitive to dairy produce including milk and this can have a very similar effect.

If you experience cold like symptoms frequently then you may well have an allergy. Try vacuuming under the bed regularly and don't let pets sleep on the bed. You can get nasal sprays to keep the airways open but if used to often they can make the symptoms worse.

 What is the answer to the question how to cure insomnia naturally? Taking sleeping pills can help to overcome insomnia if you are going through a very stressful time, but should only be taken for a short time and only as a last resort when nothing else works.

Visualisation is one method that can be very effective. You have to be able to completely empty your mind of your anxieties and replace those negative images with positive and happy ones. Our mind is a bit like a television screen as we all think in images.

Try imagining your perfect holiday destination such as a perfect white sandy beach with waves gently rippling against the shore. Palm trees gently sway in a warm summer breeze, and you can feel the warm sun on your body.

As you picture this happy image in your mind relax each part of your body starting from your feet and gradually working your way up to your head. Breathe in deeply and slowly as you do this and don't forget to breathe out slowly as well!! Concentrate on your breathing and the pleasant images in your mind and before very long you will be asleep.

This does take practice as it's all to easy to let your mind wander back to your anxieties. You can also buy relaxation cds which can prove very effective in helping you to unwind and relax. Sounds of nature such as birds singing, waterfalls, waves crashing against the shore and even whale sounds are available.

Taking supplements such as st john's wort, valarian and chamomile tea can help you to relax and calm your mind. Melatonin is available in supplement form and is especially useful if you work nights or take frequent long haul flights.

Hypnosis is becoming more recognised today as an alternative form of medicine. It's commonly used to treat phobias and addictions such as smoking, but can also be used to treat insomnia.

A lot of the time insomnia can be cured using natural methods, however in certain cases such as extreme stress and trauma medication may be necessary for a time.