Suffer From Insomnia?

For many insomniacs, getting an early night seems like the best thing to do. But new research suggests it could actually do more harm than good.

- Restricting the amount of time spent in bed can help those who have trouble dropping off, scientists have revealed.

- Relax before going to bed. Have a warm bath, listen to music or practise meditation or yoga. Use bath salts, or throw in Epsom salts and baking soda - one cup of each. These will relax you and also help remove toxins from your body.

- Don't eat heavy meals close to bedtime. The energy your body will generate to digest the meal will keep you awake. However you can eat a small, low protein, high carbohydrate bedtime snack, such as juice and biscuits, which eaten about an hour before bedtime, can help you fall asleep sooner.

- Play some soft, soothing music. Lull yourself to sleep. There are even CDs designed for that very purpose. Some are specially composed music, others simply have sounds of waves rhythmically breaking, or the steady pattern of a heartbeat.

- Get up at the same time every day, even on weekends and holidays. Once you've awake, get up. Don't lie in bed thinking about getting up. Just do it.