Healthy Sleep

So many of us suffer from lack of proper sleep, many of us have become so used to it, we might not even know that we are not sleeping properly. If we are not sleeping well, what can we do about it? There are many natural remedies for good sleep, but how do you find the one that’s right for you? What do you give a child that fights sleep? These are some of the questions this newsletter will answer.

When we sleep, our body heals and repairs itself, so if we do not get enough rejuvenating sleep, this will not happen. Six-nine hours of uninterrupted sleep a night is what most people require.

What can we do about not being able to fall asleep and stay asleep? Lavender oil is an easy thing to try, take a warm bath with a few drops of the oil in it, before bed. Put some on a Kleenex and place it beside your pillow. Melatonin is released by the pineal gland when we are supposed to go to sleep, but some of us do not do this, especially if you're working shift work, so supplementing with Melatonin is a good thing. Take a 3mg pill with water a 1/2 hour before bed, or buy the sublingual form for faster absorption. Herbals formulas with herbs like: Valerian, Passion flower, Catnip and Hops and also good choices. DO NOT take the herbal formulas, or melatonin if you are taking sleeping pills. Take the amount said on the bottle ½ hour before bed with a glass of water. 5-HTP is also great for sleeping, take it ½ before bed also. As 5-HTP is also a natural anti-depressant, DO NOT take it if on medication for depression or anxiety. Ask you Doctor if in doubt. Magnesium can also make a person sleepy; take a capsule or powder in the evening. Sleepy time teas can also be useful in falling asleep.

Last, but not least, Homeopathic remedies are safe to take and work fast as they dissolve under your tongue (take without food, drink, or ½ hr before brushing your teeth). You can get a formula, like Calm’s Forte, Rescue Remedy, or a single remedy like Coffea Cruda, or Chamomilla. I use Coffea when my mind won’t shut down so I can sleep. I give Chamomilla to my daughter when she fights sleep. There are also Children’s calming/sleeping homeopathic formulas on the market. They come in either liquid, tablets or little white pellets. Take on an empty mouth.

Don’t forget about techniques like deep breathing, meditation, relaxing music, or sometimes I find I am just hungry and can’t sleep. Just remember to eat a small amount of protein (cheese, yogurt, turkey, etc.), not a sugary carbohydrate.

You’ll find when you do sleep better, you’re whole outlook will change for the better. Your mind will be faster and clearer, you’ll have more energy and your emotions will be more balanced.