Maybe it’s the change of season. Maybe it’s my workload. Either way – something has been keep me up at night. And I’m not a pretty sight when I’m sleep deprived. In fact, I’m ruthless on the roads and I can barely manage to utter coherent sentences.

That’s why I was so grateful to stumble across this snippet of advice from my Personal & Finance Confidential archives. And if you feel at all like me – I’m sure you’ll be grateful to read it too…

You see, the key to fighting insomnia is to work directly on solving the problems that can cause it...

1. Switching off an active mind:
Relaxing at the end of a busy day is essential if you’re hoping to get a decent night’s sleep. If you have a lot on your mind it’s a good idea to write a list of all the issues you’re hoping to tackle the following day so you have peace of mind that you won’t forget anything important while you’re snoozing. Certain essential oils like vanilla, mandarin or lavender are also proven to have a relaxing effect on your mind and senses.

2. What not to eat:
One of the most common causes of sleeplessness is your diet. The consumption of large amounts of fatty, sugary or starchy foods, for example, can actually make you feel quite lethargic throughout the day, and this lethargy is unlikely to be followed by peaceful slumber. Just as with stimulants like coffee and tea, foods rich in the amino acid tyramine – which the body can convert to a brain stimulant – should be avoided later on in the evening. These include potatoes, pork, cheese and chocolate.

3. Food to make you sleep soundly:
At the other end of the scale there are some foods that are believed to promote a good night’s sleep. The body chemical serotonin (a neurotransmitter made from the amino acid tryptophan) is linked to sleeping well. Therefore, foods rich in tryptophan such as bananas, figs, milk, yoghurt, turkey and tuna can work wonders for getting you in the right brain mood for bed.

4. Don’t be a snore bore:
Loud snoring will not only annoy your partner – it could also interrupt your sleep. Excess mucus and catarrh are linked with snoring, so try cutting down on milk and dairy products, which can contribute to mucus congestion. Being overweight can also amplify snoring problems. Nasal sprays are available from the pharmacist, and these contain essential oils and vitamins to help reduce the sound of snoring. If all else fails visit your GP for advice on medical and surgical procedures.

5. Prostate problems:
If trouble with your prostate is making you get up regularly throughout the night there are certain preventative measures you can take to try and alleviate this problem. Saturated fats can aggravate prostate problems so try cutting down your intake of foods such as full fat cheese, butter and red meat. There are also foods that have a seemingly beneficial effect on the prostate gland – so try eating these. They include red, orange and dark green vegetables which are high in antioxidants, unsalted nuts and seeds, and soya products.