There are various types of chronic insomnia treatment available, and it is likely that someone suffering from chronic insomnia will need to try a few treatments before finding one that works. Doctors will often recommend looking for the cause of the insomnia in therapy along with chronic insomnia treatment. Sometimes, people may discover that their stress or inability to sleep has a deeper cause that they did not even realize, and recognizing that cause can help them to sleep.
A common chronic insomnia treatment is, of course, medication. There are a number of different medications available, both prescription and over-the-counter, designed to help people fall asleep and then stay asleep for the entire night. If the medication is sufficient, this may be all that is necessary to treat insomnia. Many people, however, find that medication is not effective, or would prefer a more natural course of treatment.
Lifestyle changes are also a very common chronic insomnia treatment. Doctors often recommend getting regular aerobic exercise for at least 20 minutes every day; this can even be something as simple as a brisk walk at lunchtime. In addition, it may be beneficial to avoid alcohol and caffeine; if it is not possible to give up caffeine entirely, stop drinking caffeinated beverages or switch to decaf after noon.
In addition, do not do any other activities in the bed other than sleeping or sex. For instance, do not read or watch television in bed, because then the body will not associate it with sleep. Another chronic insomnia treatment that can be effective is to try to stick to a rigid sleep schedule, seven days a week. Go to bed and get up at the same time, even if one is still sleepy when it is time to get up. If, however, one is still awake 30 minutes after going to bed, get out of bed and try to do something relaxing, such as reading a book or drinking a glass of warm milk; do not simply lay in bed getting more and more frustrated.
It is also recommended to avoid taking naps in the daytime so that one is ready for sleep at night. Try to adjust the temperature, sound levels, and light levels in the bedroom so they are conducive to sleep; most people sleep better in a very quiet, dark room that is slightly cooler than it would be during the day. Relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation may also work for chronic insomnia treatments. In addition, some people find that taking certain herbal supplements can be helpful, but be sure to discuss this with a doctor first.