In the UK, literally millions of people take sleeping tablets. In 2011, the NHS handed out an incredible 15.3 million sleeping tablet prescriptions.
One in four adults in the UK suffers from insomnia at some stage of their life. In most cases, the condition is a temporary one, but not being able to sleep for weeks or months on end can wreak havoc with your life and health. Leaving things and seeing if your sleeping problems resolve themselves is not always a wise approach. However, jumping in and taking sleeping tablets straight away is not necessarily the right approach.
At What Point do You Need to Take Sleeping Tablets?
Before taking sleeping tablets, you should try changing your bedtime routine. Take a warm bath, get out dry yourself off and relax for 20 to 30 minutes prior to going to bed. Having a warm milky drink at this point can help too.
Make sure your bedroom is at the right temperature. It should not be too warm. Around 62-65F is right for most people. Ideally, your bedroom should be 2 or 3 degrees cooler than your living room. A slight drop in your body temperature actually helps you to fall asleep.
Make sure that your room is dark and quiet. If it is not, invest in a sleeping mask and earplugs.
Do not watch TV, read or answer your e-mails in bed. Go to bed, turn off the light, lie down and go to sleep straight away.
If you have to be up by a certain time set your alarm. Try to clear your mind, some people find writing down what they have to do the next day before taking their bath and going to bed helps with this.
If doing all of the above does not work after 5 or 6 days consider taking sleeping tablets.
Where to get Sleeping Tablets
Start by taking over the counter sleeping tablets. Most people find that these work for them. If they do not work after about a week, make an appointment to see your GP. Try not to take sleeping tablets continuously you do not want to become reliant upon them. If it seems you are headed in this direction, seek advice from your GP.
If you are considering using some for of sleeping tablets to cure sleep problems, visit a reputable informational and helpful site like the NHS Direct or the Sominex website. There you will find out all you need to know to work out if they are right for you.
