Nightmares

Nightmares: Home Care & Treatment

If you are under severe stress, you should seek out the support of friends and relatives. Talking about what is on your mind can really help. Also, following a regular energetic fitness routine, using aerobic exercise if possible, will help. You will find that you will be able to fall asleep faster, benefit from deeper sleep, and wake up feeling more refreshed. Learn techniques to reduce muscle tension (relaxation therapy), this will also help reduce your anxiety.

Practice good sleep hygiene. Avoid long-term use of tranquilizers, and avoid caffeine and other stimulants.

If you noticed that your nightmares started shortly after you began taking a new medication, contact your health care provider. He or she will advise you on how to discontinue that medication if necessary and recommend an alternative.

For nightmares resulting from the effects of "street drugs" or persistent alcohol use, seek counsel on the best way to discontinue use. An Alcoholics Anonymous group, for example, might suggest a safe way for you to stop drinking without putting your health at risk. You can also attend their regularly scheduled meetings (see alcoholism - support group).

Also, reassess lifestyle -- friends, work, family -- to identify and alter factors that encourage substance abuse.