Source: Yahoo! Health
We’ve all struggled with the
endless mental to-do list at three in the morning. The tossing and turning that
leads to more tossing and turning. And the creep of technology into what used
to be our psychological and physical winding down time. Luckily, there are
natural ways to help you say “good night” and actually mean it! Read on for 15
tricks to rest easy.
According to the National
Sleep Foundation, 48 percent of Americans suffer from insomnia (the inability to fall
asleep or stay asleep) a few nights a week, while 22 percent have it every
night. So you’re not the only one staring at the ceiling at two in the morning!
In Chinese medicine,
nighttime is yin time – or simply, when the body takes care, repairs, and
regenerates itself. So it isn’t surprising that sleep deprivation not only causes
depression, memory problems, and lack of concentration, but new studies have linked
insomnia with long term health consequences like congestive heart failure,
psychological disorders, and substance misuse. There's no shortage of reasons to get quality rest. Start here!
What you eat can help you sleep
1. Don’t eat anything for at
least three hours before bedtime.
2. Try eating 1 cup of plain
yogurt an hour before bed. It contains a rich supply of tryptophan, an amino
acid essential in the production of neurochemicals that help aid sleep.
3. Choose wholesome foods
with no preservatives, additives, artificial flavors or colors. Eat lots of
leafy green vegetables, whole grains and low acidic food like asparagus,
avocado, apricots, bananas, broccoli, brown rice, salmon, and all kinds of soy
products.
4. A grain-based high
carbohydrate meal can help make you sleepy, such as a warm bowl of quinoa and
veggies, or a large serving of brown rice with greens and fish.
5. Throughout the day, avoid
anything with caffeine, artificial sweeteners, candy, dessert, spicy and
hard-to-digest foods
. When you do
try these tempting foods, notice if it affects your quality of sleep that night.
Supplements may help slumber
6. Some supplements that may
help you get your beauty rest include calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium,
vitamin B complex, and vitamin E. Consult with your physician for the
appropriate dosage.
7. You may want to look into
the amino acid compounds 5HTP and inositol, which act as precursors to
neurotransmitters for sleep.
8. Supplementing with
melatonin has also been shown to help counter insomnia.
Try some herbal therapy
9. Sip on valerian or
passionflower tea before bedtime every night until your sleep improves. Herbs
require patience; it may take up to a month to notice the benefits.
10. Traditional Chinese
herbs used for peaceful sleep include oyster shell, chamomile flower, ziziphus,
Chinese senega, curcuma, lily bulb, bamboo shavings, China root, and licorice.
Some of these are easier to find than others, but chamomile and licorice should
be fairly easy to come by in tea or capsules. Other herbs can be found in
health and vitamin stores, online, and at the offices of Chinese medicine
practitioners. In all cases, they should be used
according to individual needs; it is a very good idea to consult
with a licensed practitioner for a customized formulation.
Bonus Tip:
Some of the herbs listed above can be found in a traditional Chinese formula
called
Calm/Sleep formula, which can calm the spirit, relieve
restlessness, and alleviate insomnia.
Work with your mind and body
11. Keep a journal at night
to empty your thoughts from your mind before you go to bed.
12. Meditate for 15 minutes
before bed to settle your mind.
13. Relax yourself by
soaking your feet in a hot Epsom salt bath for 15 minutes before bed.
14. It’s been shown that
people with regular exercise routines have fewer bouts of insomnia. This could
be because exercise promotes sleep and improves its quality by altering brain
chemistry. Remember not to exercise for a few hours before bed.
15. Exercise combined with
meditation or tai chi in the evening will not only help you fall and stay
asleep but will also increase the amount of time spent in REM sleep.
—Dr. Mao
p/s: I want to start a journal like I did during my teenage years.. hope it will helps..
till then,
love love