We all know that antihistamines are drugs for dealing with allergies. However, a lot of people actually pop antihistamines in their mouths each time they are battling insomnia — antihistamines can help someone get a good night’s sleep because of one of its side effects, and that’s drowsiness.

Unfortunately, just like with any other drug on the face of the planet, the administration of antihistamines does not come without side effects. Some of those that you may encounter after taking them include dizziness, mouth dryness and drowsiness the following day.

It’s important to note that taking antihistamines all the time to ensure that you’re getting 7 to 9 hours of restorative each night is a terrible idea. Doctors say that it’s perfectly fine for you to rely on antihistamines for 2 to 3 nights at a time.

Take them longer than that and you are risking developing tolerance to their sedating effects. This only means that you will no longer feel drowsy after taking them. You may take higher doses just to obtain the desired effect, but you can rest assured that the various side effects will intensify.

And also, you don’t want for the time to come wherein you have to take dangerously high doses of antihistamines to get some sleep — there’s this so-called antihistamine poisoning which happens when there’s a lot of antihistamines in your body. Needless to say, antihistamine poisoning is something that could cost you your life.

The good news is there are plenty of natural alternatives to antihistamines that won’t cause tolerance or poisoning. See which of the following can help you get much-needed Z’s each time you’re being bugged by your insomnia:

Banana

One of the most popular home remedies for insomnia is a piece of banana, and it’s also one of the most effective. That’s because this tropical fruit is packed with magnesium, a mineral that encourages relaxation of the body and mind, too. As a result of such, getting some sleep should not be a problem.

Milk

Just like a banana, a glass of milk is also packed with sleep-inducing magnesium. However, there is one more mineral found abundantly in milk that can also help you catch some shut-eye, and that’s calcium — yes, the bone-strengthening nutrient is also a fantastic sleep aid!

Nuts or Seeds

Grabbing a handful of nuts or seeds and snacking on them is a good idea if you are having a hard time falling asleep at night. That’s because nuts and seeds are excellent sources of tryptophan, an amino acid that is scientifically-proven to help your brain get into a more relaxed state that is conducive to sleep.

Chamomile Tea

Perhaps you have read somewhere on the internet that sipping a cup of chamomile tea is great for dealing with indigestion and acid reflux. Did you know that you may also have a cup of it at bedtime if you are having a difficult time getting to dreamland? Chamomile tea has the ability to relax not only your body, but also mind.

Meditation

According to experts, meditating for about 10 to 15 minutes is usually enough to beat insomnia. This is most especially true if your sleeplessness can be blamed on leading a very stressful life or having lots of anxious thoughts. Meditating is easier than you think — you may listen to soothing music and let your mind go blank, or simply focus on your breathing.

Before you go, feel free to share this article on your various social media sites in order to get your family members and friends, most especially those who are battling insomnia every now and then, know that antihistamines are not the only things that can help them fall asleep.