It happens to everybody on occasion. That awful night where sleep simply will not come creeps up on us and pounces, sometimes without any warning at all. We twist and we turn. We count sheep. We get up and then we lay back down. We try reading. Still, sleep is elusive. Tomorrow looms like a monster that we will be too tired to defeat. Is it frustrating? You bet! But there is something that can be done about it if we prepare in advance.

The next time that you are in your local grocery store or your local discount store, look on the shelves in the drug department. You will find a lot of options for sleep medications for which you will need no prescription. These sleep-enhancing formulas really are safe, and they can help with that occasional sleepless night. You will find dosage amounts and directions listed on the packaging along with any possible side effects that the drugs might cause. Simply choose one and then add it to your medicine chest at home. When one of those nights where you cannot fall asleep happens, you will be prepared.

Diphenhydramine and dimenhydrinate are the two active ingredients in most over-the-counter sleep medications. The possible side effects that are listed on most packaging are dizziness, blurred vision, and dry mouth. One or two tablets are the usual dosage that is recommended. These over-the-counter sleep medications are safe to take occasionally, but should not be taken on a regular basis for any length of time.

There are also herbs that you can buy over the counter without a prescription that can help to promote sleep. Kava, valerian, skull cap, and chamomile are all herbs that help to promote relaxation and thus sleep. Herbs are natural and have no side effects at all.