As miserable as they are, we have all experienced those restless nights of tossing and turning. In fact, a 2024 study found that roughly 25% of Americans deal with acute insomnia during any given year (via University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine). Sleep is very important for physical and mental well-being, so few experiences are more aggravating than laying in bed, glancing at the clock as the minutes go by, and knowing your decent night of sleep is ticking away right along with them. Fortunately, people have devised all sorts of methods to cope with this exact situation. Some people like to calm their nerves by meditating, while others like to crack open a book.
While there are many different strategies that people have adopted to combat insomnia, have you ever wondered which techniques are the most popular? Fortunately, Health Digest has conducted a survey of 527 Americans to find out their favorite methods of coping when insomnia hits.
When having trouble sleeping, many Americans turn to sleep aids
25.81% of respondents reported that their favorite remedy for insomnia is melatonin. According to the Sleep Foundation, melatonin is a natural hormone that helps promote sleep; people who have difficulties in this area often turn to supplements to boost their melatonin levels. Checked off by 12.33% of our respondents, prescription medicine is another common remedy used to ease the stress of sleepless nights. Many medications either target insomnia specifically, or evoke drowsiness as a side effect (via WebMD). Of course, consult your doctor before using any medication to combat insomnia.
While pills are popular in the fight against insomnia, many people turn to more natural remedies. The second and third most common remedies reported were reading and meditation, selected by 20.30% and 13.09% of respondents respectively. At roughly 5% each, fewer people reported that they combat insomnia with lavender oils and audiobooks.
17.65% of respondents reported that they turn to another strategy, with write-in answers ranging from marijuana usage, to prayer, to television. Additionally, some people reported that they like to pet their cat, or listen to either calming music or white noise. Others reported that they typically do nothing in response, with one person admitting that this may likely be the source of the problem. This could be the case, especially if the insomnia is chronic. If you’re suffering from chronic insomnia that substantially disrupts your everyday life, it may be time to visit your doctor to discuss what treatments may be right for you.
