Chronic Insomnia is a completely unforgiving illness which in many cases can be self perpetuating.

Often the leading causes to insomnia are stress, depression and anxiety so often when someone begins to suffer from insomnia the presenting immediate pressure and anxiety of possibly not being able to get to sleep, in itself further perpetuates an insomniacs inability to fall asleep.

Although stress, anxiety and depression are all too often the primary cause of chronic depression it is worth while identifying some other common contributors to the lack of ability of insomniacs to obtain a solid nights sleep.

Although there can be a number of other underlining causes as to why someone finds it difficult or even impossible to fall asleep or obtain an unbroken nights sleep.

Some of these contributing causes to insomnia may include:

• Excess consumption of caffeine, sugar and alcohol
• Not getting enough sunlight during the day
• Lack of exercise or basic physical activity
• Vitamin deficiency
• The use of prescription or non prescription drugs
• Hormonal changes
• Environment, noise, light

Probably one of the best ways to identify the cause or 'causes' for an individuals insomnia is to study and understand the mechanics of how the body prepares for sleep and the nutrients, chemical and natural processes the body goes through to ensure you have a restful nights sleep arising refreshed and full of vitality the next day.

First of all lets have a look at some sources of natural health nutrition which supports healthy sleep and some of the sources of these nutrients the body requires to support the processes for regular sound, nightly sleeping patterns.

The body basically needs four substances, Tryptophan, Magnesium and Vitamin B6 and Vitamin D to help create a substance called 'Serotonin'. Basically Tryptophan along with magnesium and Vitamin B6 react with Vitamin D (sunlight) just below the skin's surface which produces Serotonin which a 'feel good hormone'.

Basically when we go out outside and absorb sunlight directly onto our skin a chemical reaction takes place just under our skin which creates Serotonin. During the day Serotonin production will produce an increased level of this substance in our bloodstream. Then when the sun goes down and our environment becomes darker a significant quantity of Serotonin is converted to 'Melatonin' (sleep hormone)until the level of Melatonin reaches a level where we become naturally tired and then find it easy to fall asleep.

The root cause of insomnia more often than not is a deficiency of one or many of these substances which support the production process of Serotonin and in turn Melatonin.

Understanding this process, its easy to then assume that having a low level of Melatonin in the bloodstream by the end of the day will make it that much harder for a person to fall asleep.

Below is a list of nutrients vital for the production of Seratonin and then Melatonin which will help to give you a regular good nights sleep.

Tryptophan: An amino acid found in many foods such as chicken breast, tuna, soybeans, lean beef, lamb and turkey, salmon and snapper.
Magnesium: Almonds, spinach, avocados, hazelnuts and brown rice.
Vitamin B6: Potato, bananas, salmon, chicken breast, avocado, turkey
Vitamin D: Natural sunlight

Better understanding of how the body's own processes produce the vital chemical and hormones which are vital for healthy sleep patterns, it now easy to draw a logical link between anxiety, stress and depression to insomnia and sleeplessness.

People who suffer some any degree of depression and/or anxiety often spend most of their time indoors and out of direct sunlight which can seriously hamper the production of Seratonin and Melatonin which ultimately will affect one's ability to get a regular nights sleep. Also someone who is stressed or has anxiety will probably not be eating that well either and may have a deficiency in the nutrients which support the production of the sleeping hormone Melatonin.

All in all as with any natural health therapies, prevention is the best form of cure for any illness and ailment and this goes doubly for Insomnia.

For anyone which suffers from this very frustrating and debilitating illness its extremely worthwhile using Natural health Therapies at the earliest stages of insomnia than to later rely on prescription sleeping pills which can exasperate any underlining anxiety and depression.

Although motivation can be an issue, probably the best Natural Cures for Insomnia are good natural health nutrition, a healthy dose of sunlight every day and all important exercise.