At least you won?t have the ?hung over? feeling that sleeping pills gave you.
You may find you are dreaming more. This is because your REM sleep has been suppressed over time and your body is now compensating for this. This will lessen over time.
You may experience some physical symptoms of drug withdrawal such as anxiety, shaky hands, muscle tension and dizziness. Just accept that these will pass and don?t be alarmed.
There?s no need to throw away your sleep medication when you?ve decided to stop taking it. Just keep it in the bedroom as an ?insurance policy?. That will stop any feelings of panic when you are having a bad night. Tell yourself, ?I?ll take if I need it?. This may be enough to help you relax and sleep without taking it.
Keep a sleep diary. If possible start this before cutting down on your medication. You should gradually notice an improvement in your sleep as the weeks progress. This will help to build confidence in your ability to fall asleep on your own.
While going through this withdrawal, don?t forget to practice good sleep habits as follows:
No caffeine after lunch
Wind down gradually before bed
No TV in the bedroom
Read in bed only if this helps you sleep
Practice relaxation exercises.
Above all persevere and look forward to healthy sleep without drugs.
Copyright 2006 Wendy Owen
About The Author
Wendy Owen is a health researcher and author.
Want to know how to cure insomnia and achieve healthy sleep? Visit http://www.insomnia-connection.com your resource for good sleep advice and articles.
stop snoring mouthpiece