Ways To Relax and Cure Insomnia Naturally

You may have heard that breathing in the smell of lavender makes you drowsy; turns out, it's true. Research shows the scent lowers heart rate and blood pressure, putting you in a relaxed state. To set yourself up for zzz's, put a handful of dried lavender in a vase on your nightstand -- or use a diffuser with lavender oil.

But note: "Lavender isn't a game-changer unless you practice other sleep-promoting habits," says Joseph Ojile, M.D., founder of Clayton Sleep Institute in St. Louis. Start to avoid caffeine 10 hours before bed, keep gadgets silent and turn in at the same time every night.