4 Effective Insomnia Cure: Ditch Pills & Harmful Side Effects With Cherries, Cheese & More

Insomnia can be a crippling sleeping disorder, especially the condition is persistent. The tricky aspect in addressing insomnia is the danger of falling into the trap of harmful responses. Pills, alcohol and synthetic medicines are among the common defaults to resolving insomnia. However, many do not realize that insomnia can also be treated through natural means, such as food.

The National Health Service in the U.K. says that physical and mental health conditions play a factor in triggering insomnia amongst individuals. Lifestyle choices and medications are also factors that contribute to insomnia cases.

"The secret to getting better sleep may be to purposefully get less of it" Sleep restriction as a component of CBT-I https://t.co/oH2aho2kn4

— Beck Institute (@BeckInstitute) November 6, 2015

The following are four effective remedies for insomnia, which can allow an individual to avoid harmful side effects. A smart response to insomnia rather than a momentary solution should yield the better success rate. With such, the individual has a stronger chance to cure insomnia triggers at their root.

Insomnia Cure #1: Eat cherries before bedtime.

The Mirror reports that cherrieshave been found to be a good remedy for insomnia. According to a study cherries are rich in melatonin.

Insomnia caused by routine and pattern disruption may be more easily managed with the help of melatonin. This hormone assists the body in regulating sleeping patterns and helps in preventing insomnia.

Insomnia Cure #2: Ensure sufficient magnesium in food.

Natural sources of magnesium are green leafy vegetables and wheat germ. Almonds are also rich sources of magnesium.

According to research, magnesium helps the brain to enter the rest mode at night and prevents the onset of insomnia. Magnesium may interact with certain medication and should not be consumed excessively.

Insomnia Cure #3: Take a light snack of protein and carbohydrates.

Sleep may be induced by food, especially a protein-carbohydrate combination. Shelby Harris, PsyD of the Sleep-Wake Disorders Center at Montefiore Medical Center in New York suggests having this 30 minutes before bedtime.

Examples of such insomnia busting snacks, according to Shelby Harris, are half a banana with a spoon of peanut butter or cheese on whole wheat crackers. You can also opt for cereal with milk if you're feeling like having breakfast before bed.

Insomina Cure #4: Consider psychotherapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) allows the individual to address mental and behavioral patterns that trigger insomnia. Reuters reported that this type of therapy looks at the problem with a view for long-term cure.

American College of Physicians (ACP) president Dr. Wayne J. Riley points out that CBT allows patients a safe alternative. "Sometimes we forget that sleep medications have the potential for serious side effects in some patients, while cognitive behavioral therapy is very low (risk) to patients," Dr. Wayne Riley said.

Do you have any more natural remedies for insomnia? Share those tips in the comments below!