Sleep Disorders and Complementary Health Approaches

https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/sleep-disorders-and-complementary-health-approaches?nav=govd A variety of complementary health approaches have been studied to see whether they are helpful for insomnia and other sleep disorders. Relaxation techniques, such as guided imagery and progressive muscle relaxation, are sometimes used as part of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, the most strongly recommended treatment for insomnia. Whether relaxation techniques are helpful if used alone is uncertain; there’s not much research evidence on this topic. Melatonin supplements may be helpful for sleep problems caused by shift work or jet lag. They may also help people with insomnia fall asleep more quickly and feel less sleepy in the daytime. However, they have not been shown to be helpful for other aspects of insomnia, such as the amount of time spent awake during the night. Music-based interventions may improve sleep quality in people with insomnia, but it’s uncertain whether they can also reduce the severity of insomnia or the number of times a person wakes up during the night.