Beating insomnia - an Ayurveda guide to getting a good night's sleep
Insomnia is something that many of us dread. While insomnia itself is defined as a chronic lack of sleep, in reality, many of us have sleep problems that are akin to the insomniac experience. The average New Zealander has experienced the common issues of difficulty getting to sleep, waking up during the night, and waking early in the morning without being able to get back to sleep.
Recent research suggests that a frequent lack of good, solid sleep can lead to more serious problems than feeling lethargic and drowsy the next day – including weight gain, elevated blood pressure and lowered immunity. This sounds dire, but don't worry, we will review the common types of sleep disorders and provide the Ayurvedic perspective on getting quality and healthy sleep.
Top causes of sleep disorders
- Too much caffeine
- Alcohol
- Smoking
- Inadequate exercise
- Irregular working hours
- A new baby in the family
- An uncomfortable bed
- Tension or stress at work or at home
- Noise pollution
Some of the above causes of poor sleep are just part of everyday life for many of us, and they may be hard to reduce, but through Ayurveda we can counter or remove them without turning to addictive sleep drugs or other options with side effects. We begin by figuring out what to target.
Step 1: Evaluate your sleep:
Do you have difficulty falling asleep?
Do you regularly wake up during the night?
Do you snore?
Do you toss and turn restlessly during your sleep?
Do you experience drowsiness or fatigue during the day?
Answer yes to any of the above questions? Time to take the simple steps to reclaiming great sleep.
Step 2: Tips to reclaim your sleep
If you suffer from insomnia or from long term or chronic disturbed sleep, don't expect your sleep disorder to disappear with the very first steps you take. But don't worry, small steps can lead to the big changes you want. Remove the barrier of worry by starting small, with the simple changes below:
Cut back on caffeine, especially after midday – caffeine is like an antidote to sleep, so the further away from bedtime you have it, the better!
Eat three meals a day, including breakfast, but make dinner a lighter meal. This will allow your body to focus on sleep rather than digesting a recent meal.
At least 30 minutes before you want to sleep, discontinue any activities that spark your senses and require focus, such as watching TV, browsing the internet, or working on the computer. Instead, just lie back and relax – listen to music, talk with your partner, or even better, try a gentle massage to wind each other down.
My favourite: rub a small amount of Vata Massage Oil on the soles of your feet – it's calming and feels like heaven!
Step 3: Natures healers – use side-effect free Ayurveda sleep remedies to gain great sleep fast
Think back to the questions on sleep we asked earlier. Ayurveda sees two main categories of sleep disorders:
1: Difficulty falling asleep
2: Broken sleep - waking during the night
For difficulty falling asleep
Follow the tips above, and add targeted herbal supplements. Blissful Sleep (MA1683) is a gentle and non-addictive, side effect free natural sleep aid. The herbal formula includes traditional herbs, Indian Valerian and Muskroot, which have both been well known for centuries as sleep inducing. The formula also includes Winter Cherry (Ashwagandha), which reduces the effects of stress, and Tinospora Cordifolia (Guduchi), which supports the mind and boosts natural immunity, which is affected by reduced or broken sleep.
For broken sleep, and waking during the night
Deep Rest (MA1684) is an herbal supplement that supports sleeping throughout the night, and falling asleep more easily, and in returning to sleep when awakened. Its synergistic combination of over 20 different herbs is a powerful boost to getting that full night's deep rest. This supplement is taken prior to sleep, and kept at the bedside to take if you wake, aiding a quick return to slumbertime.
Additional options for any kind of sleep disorder
No matter what kind of sleep pattern you have, these ancient herbal sleep remedies will help bring the system back to great sleep – Peace at night aroma oil, slumber time tea.
Resources :
Explore Natural Healing Remedies for sleep
About the Author
Qi Gong for Deep Sleep with Lee Holden
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Check out Deep Sleep Herbal Sleeping Aid products below for a better sleep.
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