If you suffer from sleep problems but don't want to run the risk of becoming addicted to drug-based sleeping pills, then consider natural sleeping aids. To learn more about insomnia and how you can beat it the natural way, keep reading.

Stay Away from Caffeine

Caffeine is in almost everything these days - from coffee to chocolate to cold medications to energy drinks. It's hard to escape caffeine in this fast paced world, but it's critical to do so to overcome insomnia and other sleeping problems. Until your sleeping patterns are back on track, you may want to drop the Starbucks.

Remember that caffeine can stay in the system and affect the body for 8 to 12 hours after it's been consumed. That means your lunch time coffee could be what's keeping you awake at night.

Get Regular Physical Activity

Regular exercise can help regulate your sleep patterns. Typically, people who exercise regularly have healthy and normal sleeping patterns. If you don't have time to run five miles, even a 15-minute, brisk walk around the block after dinner can do wonders for your sleep.

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea is one of the best natural sleeping aids. Not only is it warm and soothing, but chamomile actually works to soothe the nerves, stomach and body. It relaxes the system and literally forces you to come down after a long and hard day. Additionally, it fights anxiety, kills worry and just helps you to relax.

Valerian

Valerian is stinky and potent, but it's likely the most effective herbal sedative available. It binds and attaches itself to the same parts of the brain as drugs like Valium and Xanax, but it's an herb.

The other difference is that taking Valerian doesn't lead to morning grogginess or trouble waking up. Instead, people report waking up feeling great and ready to take on the day. Remember, though, Valerian is a sedative and should only be taken before bed.

Hops

Hops isn't just an ingredient in beer, it's also a fantastic sleep regulator. Hops have been used for centuries both as an ingredient in beer and as effective remedy for sleeplessness and anxiety.

Because hops does contain estrogen and can increase estrogen levels, long term use is not recommended. In addition, pregnant or nursing women shouldn't take it.

Kava-kava

Kava-kava is one of several natural sleeping aids that come from the South Pacific islands. Multiple studies have been done that deem it as effective as pharmaceutical counterparts when it comes to reducing anxiety. However, it's often recommended as a sleep aid that's not habit-forming.