How To Sleep – Sleep Aid For Those Who Cannot Sleep
Here we will see why is sleeping so important – besides, it’s so cute! You would be making a huge mistake to think that your nights are any less significant or complex than your days. During the hours of sleep, when we appear to be most passive, something within us is intensely active, recharging us for the next day.
When we are active, we are expending energy; when we are seemingly inactive, we are building it. It’s interesting that energy is always noted in its expenditures, never in its accumulation.
The brain and nervous system operate on nerve energy in the form of electricity. The body, like an electric car, needs to be recharged at night. Sleep is a partial shutdown for recharging.
The primary purpose of sleep is the regeneration of nerve energy. The vitality of the body is restored. During sleep the body is bustling with activity-repair of tissue, healing, restocking of organs and cells with fuel, replacement of old cells that have lost their vitality with new ones (cell reproduction occurs at more than twice the rate at which it occurs during waking hours).
The heart pumps blood through the body to pick up wastes and debris which is not eliminated from the previous day and take them to the channels of elimination.
Muscles tense; pulse rate, temperature, and blood pressure rise and fall; we are sexually aroused and our senses evoke a world of sights and sounds. Only part of the brain is asleep, for the nervous system continues to conduct billions of processes while we are sleeping.
The brain is the most marvellous, complex, and astonishing organ known to science. During foetal development the brain grows by about 360 million new nerve cells a day, ultimately totalling about 100 billion of the most highly developed, sophisticated cells any-where in the universe.
Over the last few decades, a great deal has been learned about the brain. However, despite advances in comprehending this awe-inspiring organ, we have only the barest understanding of the intricacy and wonder of this “marvel of creation”.
Many doubt that we will ever be able to fathom the true extent of the intelligence necessary for the mind and body to interact the way they do. Truly it is biology’s ultimate challenge. There are some who believe that the entire purpose of our bodies is simply to supply food and oxygen to sustain the brain. So check out how sleep must be important!
All body processes and functions are under the overall control of the brain. Everything that concerns the interactions of cells, tissues, and organs is under its control.
The brain is the supreme judge of the body’s best welfare. And marvellous beyond imagination, almost all brain functions and their results occur beneath the level of awareness. Brain functions at the subconscious level are unimaginably more diverse, extensive, wise, and precise than at the level of consciousness.
In fact, at the level of consciousness we are simpletons compared to the seemingly infinite intelligence of our brain’s subconscious. Even the most sophisticated computer that we can envision is crude compared to the apparently limitless complexity of the human brain.
When one reflects on the brain’s astronomical number of tasks simultaneously performed with pinpoint perfection twenty-four hours a day for decades, one has to stand humbly in awe.
Remember, the body has some 75 to 100 trillion cells, a number we can’t comprehend. If you had to spend $75 trillion, you would have to spend a $1 billion a day every day for over 200 years. We’re talking big numbers here. Consider that all of those 75 trillion cells are alive and sending out messages that they need responses to.
Your brain at any given moment is literally receiving information, monitoring not only the status of your body’s inner environment but your outer environment as well. You can’t swallow or breathe or sing or sharpen a pencil or think about last night or tomorrow or anything without your brain’s involvement.
At the same time that your brain might register that you have an itch on your neck; you smell a fresh-cut piece of watermelon and hear a friend’s funny story. Signals are processed, analyzed, cross-checked, and categorized so that you can immediately respond-scratch your neck; pick up a piece of melon, and giggle at the joke.
Meanwhile, your brain is also monitoring your blood chemistry, temperature, breathing, and all of the other essential processes that keep you alive-all this beneath your awareness.
In recognizing that consciousness, or awareness, is but a fractional function of our brain and is but one of its lesser activities in view of the magnitude of its role in administering the entire body, we can begin to appreciate the need for rest and sleep and their role in enabling the brain to recharge itself with nerve energy.
No doubt about it, rest and sleep are two essentials of life important beyond description, but the full import is unrecognized by most people. They just “hit the sack,” wake up when it’s over, and go about their business.
Sleep is so critical that it simply overtakes us when it’s needed by the body. It can be put off for a while or deferred in an emergency, but put it off long enough and you just conk out. The body must have it, for it perishes without sleep, so it just takes it. I rest, therefore I exist! Sleeping well aids every corporal function work correctly.
So, if you cannot sleep, please do it for your health: check this entire site out. Many people are apt to confuse the words rest and sleep as being synonymous. Not so. Though both are vitally important, they definitely are not the same.
The condition of sleep exists only when consciousness has ceased. Not too many people need convincing that sleep is important. That would seem as necessary as trying to convince someone that water is wet or fire is hot. However, when it comes to the importance of rest, people don’t seem to have a sense of how essential it is in preserving health.
Can A Natural Sleep Aid Help Your Insomnia?
Relaxing herbal supplements are some of the most popular natural insomnia treatments available in today’s market. They can be found in health and wellness stores, vitamin shops and on the Internet.
If you’ve never taken a natural herbal sleep aid before, figuring out which one you should choose can be a little confusing. Herbal supplements come in a wide variety of ingredients, formulas, brands and prices.
Some are designed for treating insomnia by relieving stress while others include special sleep-promoting ingredients. What works for one person may not work for another, so it might take you a few different tries until you find the perfect solution for your body, health and lifestyle.
If you have any allergies or a severe anxiety problem, it’s a good idea to speak to your doctor before you start taking any supplements to make sure that you are in good health and that you don’t need stronger medication.
If you have severe insomnia symptoms that appeared seemingly for no reason and do not subside, then you might have an underlying medical condition that needs to be checked out.
Some medical conditions that share symptoms with insomnia are thyroid disorders, arthritis and gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD). If you suspect that you have an underlying medical condition, get a check-up before you start taking a natural herbal sleep aid. Otherwise, you can start narrowing down your options by learning more about different natural sleep aids and how they work.
The most logical place to start when you are looking for a good herbal sleep aid is the origin of your insomnia. You don’t need to know exactly how, when and why it started, but chances are that you can recall the approximate time period when you started having trouble sleeping. Maybe you can even pinpoint the exact source of your insomnia if it started immediately after a stressful or traumatic event.
Most chronic insomnia cases are directly related to physiologic and psychiatric disorders. Psychiatric causes are more common. They include anxiety, different types of stress, bipolar disorder and depression. If your sleeplessness comes and goes, then it’s likely related to short-term stress.
Insomnia can be caused by almost any changes in your professional or personal life. Stress at work, relationship breakups, divorce and even having a fight with a friend or a family member can cause you to lose a few nights of restful sleep.
Most people underestimate how their mental state can affect their ability to fall asleep. Even the smallest problem that doesn’t seem significant can disrupt your body and mind and cause you to toss and turn for several nights in a row.
While mental health conditions need to be treated by a qualified medical professional, people who are suffering from stress, anxiety or depression can try treating their insomnia with an over-the-counter herbal sleep aid or a traditional homemade remedy.
Making an effective home remedy sleep aid is easier than you think. All you need is some creativity, motivation and a list of effective ingredients.
According to Health Magazine, nutrients found in common foods like calcium and magnesium could be the key to boosting your quality of sleep naturally. Some foods that are high in magnesium include seafood, nuts, seeds, vegetables, dark chocolate and dried fruits.
Dairy products like milk, yogurt and cottage cheese are especially high in calcium. Adding these foods into your diet can help your body get the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. If you have a hard time eating enough nutrient-rich foods, you can take magnesium and calcium in supplement form to get the same benefits.
Besides getting enough nutrients, another good home remedy sleep aid is tea. The secret to treating your insomnia with tea is choosing a relaxing blend that contains effective ingredients. Look specifically for tea formulas that include chamomile, lavender or jasmine. If you already have a favourite blend, make sure that it doesn’t contain caffeine.
People who regularly have difficulty sleeping should limit all caffeine consumption to the morning. Even having a cup of coffee or caffeinated tea in the early afternoon can contribute to your insomnia several hours later. If herbal tea is not your thing, try drinking a glass of cherry juice before bed.
According to research findings from the School of Life Sciences at Northumbria University, fruit juice made with Montmorency cherries is a great home remedy sleep aid because it causes an increase in the production of melatonin, a hormone that plays a significant role in regulating the body’s sleep cycles.
Besides improving your diet, you can try using a popular over-the-counter herbal sleep aid like valerian root or melatonin.
As tempting as it can be, try not to watch television right before your bedtime because it can keep you awake for hours even if you use it as background noise.
Another great supplement you can try to promote sleep naturally is melatonin. Taking an over-the-counter natural sleep aid melatonin supplement can make you feel sleepier and promote a longer and more restful sleep cycle.
As you get older, you might notice that you are not falling asleep as fast as you used to. Taking natural sleep aid melatonin supplements can help you restore your melatonin levels and improve your overall quality of sleep.
Figure out what works best for you and make it a part of your evening. Setting aside time to unwind after a long and stressful day combined with calming supplements like melatonin or valerian root can do wonders for your quality of sleep and your overall health.
Sleep Aids For Adults
According to research studies into human sleeping patterns, the body produces less of the ‘sleep hormone’ as human beings age resulting in insomnia and sleep deprivation problems developing in many adults. This is where natural sleep aids for adults comes into play.
Now, it’s quite common to have the odd night in a week or two when you just can’t fall asleep. However, this is different from insomnia, where the patient suffers from a regular lack of sleep.
The best remedies for sleeping problems are the natural ones. People have used everything from changes in dietary habits to feng shui and aromatherapy successfully for the treatment of sleep problems. Making certain changes to your exercise and diet regime can be beneficial to your sleeping patterns, regardless of whether you’re male or female.
• Avoid caffeine. Caffeine primarily is used to promote insomnia and sleeplessness. Soda drinks and tea are other alternatives to coffee that should also be avoided.
• Avoid all sweets before bedtime. Sweets give you energy bursts that disrupt your blood sugar level and disrupt your sleep halfway through the night when the sugar level returns to normal.
• Eat foods rich in magnesium, since magnesium is an all-natural sedative. Magnesium deficiencies can cause sleeping difficulty, muscle tremors, cramps, anxiety, pain, irritability, and constipation. It is also a good remedy for those with the restless leg syndrome.
• Eat more of the foods that trigger sleep in you. The amino acid, tryptophan, is one of the precursors for serotonin. That is then converted into melatonin. Snacks rich in carbohydrates like whole-grain crackers should be consumed before sleep to induce sleep.
Sleep Aids For Women
Natural sleep aids for women specifically would be those of a more sensitive and relaxing mood. Aromatherapy can be attempted by women suffering from insomnia. English lavender scent has been used by folk in remedies for many centuries to trigger sleep in people. This is backed by research into the sedative features of lavender.
Using this will help deepen women’s sleep, increasing the length of sleep, and help them wake up more rejuvenated. Research has also shown that lavender has a more positive impact on women than men due to women having a stronger sense of feelings and smell.
Increased exposure to light during the day might also help you sleep better, since light is one of the trigger factors that let the body known when it’s time to sleep. Try going for a walk as soon as you wake up in the morning.
However, make sure you protect your skin from UV light with sun screen. This will help your body differentiate better between night and day. Music is another one of the great natural sleep aids for women. Slow and gentle music can improve the quality of your sleep without any medicines. You’ll wake up more satisfied than you have in weeks!
Sleep Aids For Men
Some natural sleep aids for men include mindfulness, which is the kind of meditation where you essentially focus your mind on now, and yoga. In yoga, deep breathing is combined with stretching and meditation. Harvard studies found that doing yoga daily for 8 weeks straight could increase total time of sleep. If you’re a yoga beginner, try the gentle yoga styles first.
Another good solution is progressive relaxation of the muscles. This is one of the simplest relaxation techniques to master for amateurs in the field of muscle relaxation exercises.
Before starting to use any of the above mentioned natural sleep remedies, consult with a medical professional. In many cases, chronic insomnia is just a symptom, signalling toward some more serious condition. This could be sleep apnoea, heart disease, hot flashes, diabetes, depression, or lung disease. Therefore, it’s important that you talk to your doctor when you start experiencing symptoms of insomnia.
Homeopathic Sleep Aids
Sleep aides can be a very helpful alternative to the medications that are available for insomnia today. This guide will cover the best over the counter sleep aids that provide the quickest results, how they work, and what you can expect from taking them.
Did you know that insomnia is one of the most common complaints people make in a physician’s office? Over 40 million Americans alone suffer with sleep deprivation. And the consequences of insomnia can be very severe.
An individual who loses sleep on a regular basis can develop all sorts of health problems, including heart disease, depression, hallucinations, and anxiety to name a few.
The major cause of this health problem is a lack of a hormone called Melatonin. This hormone is released by the brain during the night, and encourages the body to relax deep enough for sleep. If you are lacking this hormone, you will not be able to sleep soundly during the night.
Some people are not able to sleep at all, while others are able to sleep for a short period of time and then report being up the remainder of the night. Either way, the solution is to give your body additional Melatonin to make up for the lack of it. This is where sleep aides can be very helpful.
The medications that are available today can have some very serious side effects, the main one being addiction to them. However, there are other side effects that are just as bad, including chest pain, high blood pressure, and seizures or convulsions.
All of this can be avoided using herbal remedies. Out of all the products available, there is one that have been recommending to patients for years that seems to be more helpful than most. The product recommend is Oxy Sleep.
Best Natural Sleep Aids And Techniques
If you ever had any kind of a sleep problem or a disorder, then you know how difficult and stressful it can be. Fortunately, there are solutions to these problems and more and more people use natural sleep aids and alternative ways to solve their how to get to sleep problems.
Instead of using various drugs or addictive medicaments, you would be surprised to find out there are some natural remedies easily available even in your home. From diet, nutrition and relaxation techniques, to various herbs and supplements, there are some great natural aids you can find and use.
Of course, not all things will work for everybody and it is always good to also contact your doctor, but we bring you the most popular ones.
Top Natural Sleep Aids And Techniques
1. Valerian
This is a very popular herb used for centuries as one of the natural sleep aids and anxiety relief. In many countries, people with sleep problems and insomnia can easily acquire valerian as an over-the-counter remedy.
One of the best things about valerian is that unlike many other sleep medications, it doesn’t trigger addiction or make you feel drowsy in the morning. Many people report that valerian really helped with their sleep issues but you should know it doesn’t work for everyone.
Valerian is usually available as an extract in powder or liquid form, as a dried herb in tea form, or in pills. Most of the people prefer taking the pills because they don’t like the smell of the natural form. It is sold as a dietary supplement.
For achieving the best results with valerian as one of the natural sleep aids, you should take it shortly before bedtime. Also, to really feel its effect, you should take it regularly for two to three weeks.
Valerian contains several chemicals that affect the central nervous system with emphasize on the brain and this is how it helps with peoples’ sleep problems.
Side effects of valerian may include headache, palpitations, mild indigestion and dizziness and it would be best if not to be taken with a lot of medications, especially those that depress the central nervous system, such as sedatives and antihistamines.
In any case, if you intend to use valerian for a longer period, it is always recommended to consult a certified medical stuff.
2. Chamomile
This is another very popular herbal sleep aid used from ancient times by people for not only to get quick relief for insomnia and anxiety but also for its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects. Chamomile is usually taken as a tea and it has good taste. The most effective way is to drink it about a half an hour before going to bed.
Great thing about chamomile is it doesn’t cause addiction and also it does not have to be used on a regular basis to be effective for your sleep disorders. You can only use it from time to time and still get the effect. This is why chamomile is one of the most used natural sleep aids.
It is now believed that chamomile is mostly helpful in relieving the symptoms of mild sleep problems.
3. A proper Diet
This could be very important for ensuring the good and restful sleep. Avoiding certain foods is as important as including others in your daily diet. You should avoid food that was treated or processed with chemicals. Do not take too much sugar, caffeine and alcohol if you want to sleep better; especially, don’t take these ingredients before going to sleep.
On the other hand, there are some “good” foods that could really help you in getting relief for some of the certain sleep disorders. This right food taken before bedtime can increase natural serotonin levels.
Serotonin acts as a natural sedative. Foods that can be used for this include chicken, turkey, cheese, cottage cheese, fish, milk, nuts, avocados and bananas.
4. Mild Exercise and Relaxation Techniques
Both can reduce stress and muscle tension which are known factors for causing sleep problems. A lot of people use these techniques as natural sleep aids right before going to bed. Because not only they ease physical tension but they calm the mind and prepare the body to sleep. These techniques include meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, breathing exercises and yoga.
Two things used often by people suffering from sleep disorders to calm their body and mind before going to bed are meditation and visualization.
Common forms of mediation are meditation on the breath and mantra meditation. On the other hand, a lot of people focus their energy on a healing visualization as a method of alternative therapy for their sleep disorder.
5. Acupuncture
In recent years, acupuncture has become popular alternative way people use to get help for their various sleep issues and insomnia. It could be used as one of the natural sleep aids because after consistent treatments, it is believed acupuncture boosts melatonin and serotonin levels in the body which both are very helpful for getting a good sleep and regular sleep cycles.
6. Sensory Techniques
Two most often used for getting better sleeps are hydrotherapy and aroma therapy. Hydrotherapy is used either as a water therapy or relaxing in an Epsom salt bath and a lymph stimulating footbath.
Aroma therapy includes the use of therapeutic essential oils in baths, massage oils, and room sprays. Both have been reported by people to have positive effects for a good sleep.
7. Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine aims to treat kidney weakness for curing insomnia. Signs of kidney weakness are fatigue, tiredness, lower back aches and a burst of energy in late hours of the night. Chinese medicine aims to strengthen the kidney in order to treat insomnia.
We hope we have provided you with some useful information on natural sleep aids and techniques as an alternative to prescription drugs and heavy medicaments or at least as to be used as a combination. Alternative practices and techniques can help many types of sleep disorders.
But you should be aware that these products and techniques are not approved and monitored by FDA and for your safety, it is always smart to consult your doctor, especially if you intend to use these natural sleep aids for a longer period. If your real problem is snoring, we have a special page dedicated only to how to stop snoring problems.
8. Melatonin
Melatonin is another popular remedy for insomnia. Melatonin is a hormone found in the body. It is produced when the pineal gland in the brain converts serotonin in to melatonin when the exposure to light decreases.
Melatonin is to be taken about 30 minutes before bed time. Even though it is a good alternative to sleeping pills, melatonin should be avoided by people who suffer from depression, schizophrenia, autoimmune diseases, and other serious illness.
9. Ayurvedic Medicine
According to Ayurvedic medicine insomnia is caused by vata imbalance. Ayurvedic treatment includes application of oil on head and feet.
10. Feng Shui
Feng Shui instructs on the arrangement of furniture in the house. According to studies, the ambiance in the house or the office can have a significant effect on stress levels which in turn affect sleeping habits.
The Top 10 Myths About Sleep And Sleep Aids
Myths abound in our culture today, and misinformation unfortunately is a fact of life. Not all of it is intentional; sometimes, people unintentionally spread misinformation because they haven’t been told otherwise. Well, in an effort to reduce the misinformation going around about sleep, this article will discuss the top 10 myths about sleep and sleep aids, so that you may receive the truth regarding these important topics.
Myth #1: Sleep Isn’t Important
There are many ‘go-getters’ and ‘self-starters’ out there with blogs, articles, and books claiming that they function as well as – if not better than – most people on as little as 3-4 hours of sleep per night. I don’t doubt that some people may be able to do this, but 99% of the population needs at least 7 hours of quality sleep per night.
Myth #2: Naps Are Sufficient
Along with the myth above, there is a myth that taking regular naps during the day is just as good as getting a continuous good night’s rest. This is not true, and if you try to go down this route, you will not only waste time, but will feel groggy throughout the entire day. A nap of around 20 minutes can boost attention and energy levels, but only temporarily – and isn’t something you should do more than once a day.
Myth #3: Sleep Aids Don’t Work
They do (otherwise doctors wouldn’t prescribe them!). Not all are created equal, but the vast majority of sleep aids that are prescribed really are effective.
Myth #4: Dreamless Sleep Is Bad
Some say that if you do not dream while you sleep, then you are not getting a good night’s rest. This is also untrue. Whether or not you dream usually doesn’t have an effect on the quality of your sleep – unless, of course, your dreams or nightmares awaken you during the night.
Myth #5: The Best Sleep Aids Are Medical
While there are plenty of quality sleep aids that are prescription-strength, the best sleep aids are not necessarily from a pharmacy. Many natural sleep aids, such as melatonin, chamomile tea, valerian, and herbs and foods rich in magnesium, can help tremendously.
Myth #6: Regular Sleep Times Aren’t Important
Oh, definitely not true. You need to go to bed and awaken at roughly the same time each day in order to get a quality night’s sleep. Otherwise, your body’s rhythm will be thrown out of whack.
Myth #7: Energy Drinks Make Up For Poor Sleep
Nothing makes up for poor sleep. Downing a Red Bull or Five Hour Energy Shot is a poor substitute. It may give you a temporary boost of ‘energy’, but that is a very short-term fix. After the effects wear off, you will likely be even more tired because your body still hasn’t had that recuperation time.
Myth #8: Silence Is The Key
Actually, if you are listening to soft, relaxing music while trying to get to sleep can aid you to sleep better. Many music machines have been created specifically to help people slumber.
Myth #9: Eating Has No Effect On Sleep
To the contrary, what you eat and when you eat it will affect sleep. You shouldn’t eat anything more than a snack less than three hours before you head to bed. Digesting food will keep you awake. Also, foods high in sugar or caffeine will also keep you up.
Myth #10: Sleep Aids Are Unhealthy
Some sleep aids, like kava, are not healthy for you. But, most of them are. Look for ones that have been evaluated by the Federal Drug Administration to make sure. If it has been approved by the FDA, it more than likely is good to go.
Herbal Sleep Aids – Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is believed to have therapeutic properties that can heal a person’s illness or relax him or her. Today, aromatherapy is not only used for healing processes but is also used to help a person get better sleep since it is practiced in a very soothing way.
To achieve the health benefits of aromatherapy not only on how to get better sleep—specifically essential oils — one should get all the knowledge and experience that you can get. It is best to read references of aromatherapy from various books, magazines, and even online sites that offer free aromatherapy information.
To gain experience, one can also enrol in an aromatherapy crash course class that is near your place. Here, they can teach you the basics of conducting an aromatherapy procedure as well as almost all the information that one needs to know about aromatherapy.
For people with hectic schedules and don’t have time to attend a class physically, they can enrol in various online sites that offer aromatherapy classes.
Using Aromatherapy
Before anything else, make sure that you have supplies for aromatherapy such as items that will be used for measuring items such as cups and spoons, means of transferring liquids such as funnels with different sizes, containers for mixing elements and for proper storage such as bottles or vials, labelling items like stickers, lots of paper towels and alcohol to clean the area afterwards.
After preparing the necessary supplies, you may start with your homemade aromatherapy. The following are just some of the aromatherapy products that you can do inside the confines of your abode.
1. Aromatherapy massages or body oil
All you need is to combine 50 drops or 1/2 teaspoon of the essential oil of your choice together with 4 ounces of vegetable oil.
2. Aromatherapy compress
This is considered as one of the easiest aromatherapy products out there. All you need is to add at least 5 drops of essential oil to a cold or hot cup of water and dip a soft cloth on the mixture.
3. Aromatherapy foot or hand bath
What you need is to add 10 drops of chosen essential oil to a part of cold or hot water in a medium-sized basin. Using your hand or a stirring rod, stir the essential oil evenly to blend well with the water.
To get better sleep, one must also know the essential oils that can bring about positive changes in a person’s body. Some plant derivations of essential oils and their potential benefits such as: Geranium for relieving stress-related conditions like tensions, nervous breakdown, and skin illnesses like eczema or hard-to-heal wounds;
Jasmine for arousing sensuality, relaxation, and in treating several skin conditions;
Eucalyptus for relieving muscle pains and aches as well as in to alleviate respiratory system conditions especially poor breathing;
Frankincense to aid lung conditions, urinary problems, irregular menstruation, and relieving pains in skin disorders like acne and excessive burns;
St. John’s Wort is another example of a beneficial herbal sleeping aid, as are lavender, melatonin, and tryptophan.
Lavender for helping improve the function of the respiratory system and alleviate stress-related conditions such as insomnia, depression, and mental fatigue; and
Peppermint aid respiratory problems, specifically, asthma as well as mental fatigues that lead to fainting and extreme headaches.