Can Meditation Treat Insomnia?
Insomnia is a sleep disorder that can make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, up to 30% of adults in America suffer from some form of insomnia. There are many potential causes of insomnia, including stress, anxiety, depression, medications, and underlying medical conditions. While there are a number of treatments available for insomnia, such as medication or cognitive behavioral therapy, some people may also want to try meditation as a treatment option.
Meditation is a mindfulness practice that involves focusing on your breath and letting thoughts pass through your mind without getting too attached to them. There is growing research to suggest that meditation, especially mindfulness meditation, can improve sleep quality in people with insomnia (via National Sleep Foundation). While meditation may not be a cure-all for everyone with insomnia, it can be a helpful tool to improve sleep quality by helping you spend less time dwelling on negative thoughts as you try to fall asleep.
Other potential treatments for insomnia
While meditation can be helpful for people with insomnia, everyone's situation is different and this method won't work for everybody. If you've tried meditation and it hasn't helped, there are a few other potential treatments you can try. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is one option that can be effective (via National Sleep Foundation). This type of therapy helps you to change the way you think about and handle sleep problems. It usually involves meeting with a therapist once a week for several weeks or months. During therapy sessions, you may learn about healthy sleep habits and how to change any behaviors that may be interfering with your sleep.
Another potential treatment for insomnia is prescription medication (via WebMD). If you have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, your doctor may prescribe a medication to help. Sleep medications can be helpful in the short term, but they're not meant to be used long-term. They can also have side effects, so it's important to talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have.