NEW YORK, NY. -- If you rely on sleeping pills to fall asleep, you may want to try talk therapy instead.
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Research shows talk therapy can be just as effective as medications to treat insomnia.
Doctors can helps patients change their behaviors.
Patients should eliminate caffeine in the afternoon, exercise late in the day, and wind down an hour before bed ... that means no TV.
Next comes the cognitive part of the therapy which includes relaxation techniques including meditation.
If left untreated, insomnia can can have serious health effects.
Dr. Shelby Harris from Montefiore Medical Center says, "Problems with memory, attention, concentration, increased risk of stroke, heart attack, increased risk of accidents."
Doctors also recommend people with insomnia should have a regular sleep schedule and no napping during the day.
(CBS contributed to this report.)
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