Sleep Disorder Keeping You Awake? Make the Time to Rest with Natural Sleep Aids
It's happened to all of us: The alarm goes off, but you feel like you haven't slept at all, not to mention the grogginess thanks to that over-the-counter sleep aid you tried out of desperation. You rush to get the kids off to school so you can hurry to the office early -- you're way behind in your work. You head for the coffee maker, hoping the caffeine will counteract your sleep disorder. By lunchtime you can't see straight; by 5:00 PM you head home exhausted and drained, dreading another night of insomnia, and knowing it's not going to get better tomorrow. Lather, rinse, repeat.
Here's the truth: That old saying about getting eight hours of sleep a night isn't just something your mom made up -- it's a scientific fact that your body needs those eight hours to function at its highest level. You can tell yourself that you can get by on six, or four, or forty winks here and there, but clinical studies have shown that sleep deprivation can actually triple your chances of being involved in a car accident. Furthermore, insomnia that remains unchecked over a period of several days can significantly impair your judgment, make it difficult to focus and process information, slow your reaction time, and even affect your short-term memory.
So what can you do? You body needs the sleep, but you've got work to do, and you can't do it with your eyes closed. You've got errands to run, family to take care of, school, doctor visits, grocery trips -- the list goes on. Fortunately, there are ways for you to fight sleep disorders without having to resort to the unnatural drugs found in most over-the-counter and prescription sleep aids.
First of all, cut back on the caffeine. Yes, really! By drinking less caffeine during the day, you'll not only be less jittery, but your body will be ready for sleep by the time you lie down at night. Second, try to remain calm in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the day. It's not always easy, but part of the problem lies in your mind and your mental attitude. Staying focused can help you complete your work in a timely fashion (and not have to take it home with you!), leaving you more time to sleep when you need to.
And finally, look into the natural sleep aid alternatives that exist. With everything else going on in your life, you really don't need the added stress of synthetic chemicals and the unpleasant side effects of most of the insomnia drugs out there. Prescription sleeping pills generally create 'medicated' sleep -- not the natural sleep your body needs to truly rest. Natural ingredients can stimulate neurotransmitters, particularly dopamine, that can give you sound, restful sleep, including the vital REM sleep. In particular, look for supplements that contain an ingredient called 5HTP (5-hydroxy-tryptophan) -- it works with the body's serotonin levels to improve mood, hunger control, and of course, sleep.
Lifestyle changes, such as finding time to exercise and improve your diet, will do wonders for your sleep patterns as well. But whatever you do, you'll want to do yourself a favor and get those eight hours of sleep a night -- every night.