According to a sleep study conducted in India, over 28% of the general population suffers from some form of insomnia. Insomnia is a highly common condition that is characterized by a person’s inability to maintain sleep, fall asleep, or even both. The condition can be an acute one, meaning that it lasts only a few days or weeks, or can be a chronic one, which means that it lasts for over three months. If you have been experiencing unsatisfying sleep, you should certainly explore home remedies such as honey for insomnia.

Why should you explore home remedies like honey for insomnia?

As insomnia is a largely unexplored condition within the Indian context, it’s easy for people to take it lightly. After all, not being able to sleep as well as others do not seem like that big a concern, right? The truth is that insomnia is quite serious. This is because getting fewer hours of sleep per night, or not being able to have an uninterrupted REM cycle while sleeping, can lead to both, mental and physical hazards.

The main reason to explore home remedies like honey for insomnia is to prevent the following complications:

• Diabetes
• Stroke
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Obesity
• Weak immune system
• Seizures
• Asthma attacks
• Depression
• Anxiety

Additionally, insomnia can cause a few lifestyle-related problems too, such as:

• Lower sex drive
• An increased risk for accidents
• Inability to focus on work
• Increased lapses in memory

With the global pandemic affecting millions all over the world, it’s only natural for people to be suffering from sleep disorders like insomnia. As we get accustomed to the new normal, it’s important to find ways to cope with our realities. Adding home remedies such as honey for insomnia to your daily diet or lifestyle can help alleviate the condition greatly.

8 Effective Home Remedies (such as Honey) for insomnia!

1. Creating a transition from work to bedtime

With many people working from home, the very notion of work-life balance has now ceased to exist. As a result, it can be hard to mentally transition from ‘work mode’ to ‘sleep mode’ at the end of the day, especially for those who work long hours.

Our constant exposure to laptops and smartphones also exposes us to blue-light emission, which tricks our mind into believing that it is still day time. As a result of this, the body produces lower amounts of melatonin, making it difficult for you to fall asleep.

In the current scenario, this is one of the leading causes of the spike in insomnia.

One of the best ways to combat this is to ensure you’re not looking at your smartphone or laptop for at least 2 hours before bedtime. With many working professionals now speaking up about the inhumane hours they’re forced to work during the pandemic, you should be able to create a time-based boundary on office work, ensuring you don’t expose yourself to blue-light emission before bedtime.

Additionally, make sure that your room has dim yellow lights as they trigger the production of melatonin.

2. Lavender essential oil

Lavender is known for inducing sleep and is a good home remedy to try if you have been dealing with insomnia for a while. Lavender essential oil is abundantly available in the market. All you have to do is add a few drops of the same on your pillow before hitting the sack.

As you inhale the aroma of the oil, you will naturally begin to feel sleepy in no time.

3. Honey

Ayurvedic doctors have been prescribing honey for insomnia for ages now, mainly because of its such an effective treatment. Having a teaspoon of honey right before you sleep can help you combat insomnia. This is because honey raises the insulin in your body, which then triggers the release of tryptophan into the brain. Tryptophan then, through a series of other actions, helps your body release melatonin, which puts you to sleep.

If you’re wondering how you can take honey for insomnia, here are a few easy ideas:

• Having a teaspoon of the golden nectar is the best way to have honey for insomnia.
• Another easy way to consume honey for insomnia is by mixing a teaspoon with lukewarm water and then drinking the same.
• If you want an even tastier and filling way to consume honey for insomnia, you can dissolve a teaspoon of honey in a glass of warm milk. Milk, like honey, has tryptophan, and the combination of the two ingredients should help you fall asleep quickly.

If you’re wondering what’s the best honey for insomnia, note that any flavor of Eiwahoney should do the trick.

4. Mindfulness Meditation

While there are many causes of insomnia, one of the most common ones is stress. If you cannot cut out the source of stress in your life, then you must learn to cope with it in a healthy manner. Constant stress can lead to cardiovascular diseases along with insomnia, which is why it is essential to learn to minimize its effects.

One of the best ways to combat insomnia due to stress is by practicing mindfulness meditation. In a nutshell, this is a form of meditation in which you focus on your breathing and body. It allows your mind to slow down and relax, and is a great way to bust stress.

5. Massage therapy

A study conducted in 2015 revealed that massage therapy can help patients with insomnia sleep better. It improves the overall quality of sleep, reduces stress, and even relieves symptoms of mild pain and inflammation.

In case you cannot get a massage frequently, or don’t want to because of Covid-19, you can always get yourself a weighted blanket. A weighted blanket is exactly what it sounds like – it’s a blanket with weights inside it. When you lie under it, it puts soft pressure on your body and helps you fall asleep. It’s also good for relieving anxiety and stress.

6. Exercising

Exercising is extremely important as it releases endorphins in the brain, keeping you happy. It also has a myriad of health benefits, one of which is relieving the symptoms of insomnia. Ideally, you should exercise for at least 15-20 minutes per day. Your exercise routine should include cardio and aerobic workouts.

Do keep in mind that you should not exercise at night, right before you sleep. This is because exercising also boosts your energy levels. Working out before sleeping can end up helping you stay away for longer!

Now that you know a little bit about using honey for insomnia, how about checking out this article about honey boosts your performance while working out?

7. Yoga

Yoga can help you improve your sleep quality, and is a great form of exercise too. When considering using yoga for insomnia, note that you should focus on breath work or movement meditation yoga as opposed to styles that require difficult physical postures. Yin yoga as well as restorative yoga are two good examples of the styles you should try.

As is the case with exercising, 15-20 minutes of this activity per day is more than sufficient for improving your sleep. You may not see results immediately though.

8. Magnesium supplements

Magnesium is one of the many important minerals that your body needs to function well. This mineral can help relieve stress and relax your muscles. This is why magnesium supplements are often recommended to people who have insomnia.

As a general rule, it is believed that men should have 400 grams of magnesium per day, while women should have 300 grams. However, you should definitely speak to your healthcare provider before taking any supplements at any dose.

If you’re someone who loves to wind down at the end of the day with a long, languid bath, you can always add magnesium flakes to the tub. Your body will absorb the mineral via your skin. A tub bath is generally quite relaxing and can be a good option for insomniacs to explore.

As you can see, there are many home remedies, such as magnesium supplements, lavender essential oils, and honey for insomnia. Trying the ones that suit you can help you see results at a gradual pace. However, if you want a remedy that is quick and effective, then nothing beats consuming honey for insomnia!