Everyone needs sleep, but not many of us are getting enough rest each night. Sleep helps our bodies repair after a long day at work or at home, but with the stress we feel in our lives, it's no wonder that our eyes have troubles closing when we lie in bed or that we simply can't get into bed at a reasonable hour. To help in our quest for sleep, many drug companies have creating sleeping pills, both in prescription strength and over the counter formulations. But are they effective? And are they really safe to use on a regular basis? What you may want to realize about sleeping pills is that they are only meant to help you sleep once in a while. Maybe you have a big presentation coming up the next day and you can't go to sleep, so you take a sleeping aid to help you get some rest. Sleeping pills really aren't meant to be taken in the long term, especially those that are sold over the counter. If you're having troubles sleeping most night of the week, you should see your doctor for prescription sleeping pills that can help you over a longer period of time. But even in these cases, you might want to talk with your doctor if you find yourself taking these sleep aids on most nights. There may be an underlying medical condition that might need to be addressed. In terms of safety, sleeping pills that are found over the counter are typically safe to use from time to time. Simply take the pill before bedtime, or as directed by the package, and then head to bed. You should not drive or operate any heavy machinery when you've taken these pills and nor should you drink any alcohol. Because your body will be sedated by the sleeping pill, drinking alcohol might increase this effect to a dangerous level. Other concerns are any medical conditions or prescription medications you may already be taking in addition to the sleep aids. Talk with your doctor first if you're managing a medical condition. Prescription sleeping pills are not necessarily safer either. Many of these pills have been linked with causing extreme drowsiness that can carry over into the next day or can cause you to have blackouts in which you do things that you can not remember the next day. You also need eight consecutive hours in which to sleep in order to use these pills effectively. These pills can also become addictive, so your use will need to be monitored to make sure you're not becoming dependent on them. How about natural sleep aids? You may have sound things like valerian and melatonin on your drugstore shelves and wondered if they work better than traditional options. For most people that are not on other medications, these sleep aids are completely safe and non-addictive. There are some interactions that you need to watch out for when you're taking natural drugs with prescription drugs. When taken before bedtime, they can help you go to sleep and fall asleep. Be sure that you're taking the minimal dosage and also only using them on occasion. All in all, sleeping pills can help you finally get some sleep when your mind is racing, but remember that the best way to fall asleep is to reduce your stress, limit your caffeine, and get into a regular sleep routine.