Tossing & Turning Instead of Sleeping Peacefully?

“Be happy for this Moment. This Moment is your Life.”
– Omar Khayyam

Many people are complaining about being challenged with sleep these days. Read on for a few useful hints to support restful sleep.

Sleep is complicated.

What works for one may not work for the next person. Also what has worked once may not work the next time.

Checklist

• Eliminate any stimulants such as coffee, black tea, sugar (especially at night)

• If taken at night certain supplements such as vitamin C may have enough of a stimulating effect to interfere with sleep in some individuals

• Peppermint, even though calming for the nervous system, has a stimulating effect on the metabolism and may interfere with sleep patterns in sensitive people

• Allergies/sensitivities to foods and inhalants can be the culprit

• Check your medications for potential side effects

• Treat the underlying cause. Many dis-ease processes may interfere with proper sleep (blood sugar imbalances, adrenal fatigue?)

• Getting up in the night to urinate may be a sign of kidney weakness in women and prostate issues in men

• Minimize stress levels and over-excitement at night

• Ensure adequate exercise during the day

• If you wake up once again feeling like you have been run over by a truck, relax, breathe deeply, take a hot shower and know that you are going to make it through the day okay. Accepting the situation is half the battle, pondering and being upset about it is creating more unnecessary stress

Some HERBAL ALLIES are (alone or in combination):

• Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) ? one of my favorites

• Lemon Balm (Melissa off.)

• Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)

• Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) ? Note: Adverse reactions to Chamomile are not uncommon

• St. John?s Wort (Hypericum perfoliatum) ? especially when (nerve) pain and/or depression are a factor

• Rescue Remedy

NOTE: Commercial herbal sleep blends frequently contain peppermint (too stimulating at night for many) and hops (not recommended for anyone with tendency to depression).

You can create a nice blend of dried herbs with any of the above herbs and enjoy a cup of tea at night or take them as a tincture.

Questions or comments?

Interested in any specific topics or workshops, contact me at 780-532-2464.