Is sleep a luxury for you? Are you waking up feeling refreshed, or are you staring at the celing at 2.30am, unable to sleep? Unfortunately insomnia (difficulties falling asleep or staying asleep) and or waking unrefreshed can be some people's reality.
Sleep is an important part of your daily routine - you spend about one-third of your time doing it. Quality sleep (and getting enough of it at the right times) is as essential to survival as food and water.
So is sleep a luxury or a necessity? Unfortunately in today's society it can be seen as a luxury, and many people are suffering from Chronic sleep deprivation, (defined as under-sleeping by an hour or two every night over a consistent period) and this has been linked to poor health. Research shows that adults who get fewer than seven hours of sleep (whether for just one night or over the course of days, weeks, or months) experience daytime consequences such as irritability, fatigue, and poor memory. Without sleep you can’t form or maintain the pathways in your brain that let you learn and create new memories, and it’s harder to concentrate and respond quickly.
Good sleep is required for many important functions in the body. It is vital for growth and body repair, weight management and hormonal balance. Our sleep hormone melatonin not only helps to promote restful sleep but is a powerful antioxidant and immune balancing hormone. With our busy routines and irregular work patterns good sleep is becoming harder to achieve. If you or someone you know is having trouble sleeping - it’s important to get some support.
If you see sleep as a luxury, you should consider the below tips to help it become an easy necessity.
Herbal Solutions for Counting Sheep
Lack of sleep does not have to be a fact of life. There are many natural medicines that can help promote a restful, nurturing night’s sleep, without leaving you feeling groggy. Some of my favourite herbs to promote a restful night sleep include Californian Poppy, Jamaican Dogwood, Kava, Passion flower, Lavender, Magnolia, and Zizyphus. These herbs are available in various forms including teas, tinctures and tablets or capsules. I find they work best when used in combination. However, it is important to find the right combination which works for you.
Magne-Zzzz-ium
Magnesium is valuable for countless actions in the body, including supporting healthy nervous system function so you are less affected by stress; or relaxing sore, tense muscles that may be disturbing your sleep. Magnesium levels may be low in those suffering from insomnia, so addressing this insufficiency can help improve sleep.
Essential Oils
Burning essential oils or placing them on your pillow can also be useful to promote relaxing sleep. Some of my favourites include neroli, chamomile, bergamot and lavender. Again it is important to find the right combination that works for you.
If you or someone you know of, is dreaming of luxury sleep, and/or having trouble sleeping - it’s important to get some support. Contact me so that we can design the right combination for you to get a better nights sleep.
