Insomnia

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Insomnia, quite simply, is the inability to sleep. Almost everyone suffers from lost sleep on occasion, usually because of stress, worry over an upcoming event, an irregular work schedule, or consuming alcohol or caffeine too close to bedtime. A deficiency - or excess - of certain vitamins and minerals can also cause insomnia. For many people, however, insomnia is nor just an occasional nuisance. Chronic insomnia can have a real impact on your waking life. The National Commission on Sleep Disorders Research, established by the U.S. Congress to study these problems, has concluded that insomnia not only harms economic productivity but also endangers the health and safety of many Americans.

Over 40 millions Americans suffer from sleep disorders, including insomnia, restless legs syndrome, and sleep apnea, or a tendency to wake in the night and be unable to go back to sleep. Most cases are related to stress an anxiety. Insomnia can also be related to depression, chronic pain, breathing difficulties, jeg lag, an irregular schedule, or an undiagnosed infection. If the natural approaches suggested in this section fail to help sufficiently, consult your doctor. He or she may refer you to a sleep disorder clinic for a thorough evaluation.

General Recommendation

Set a reasonable sleep schedule and stick to it as closely as possible. Be flexible enough to adjust the schedule if it does not match your normal cycle. Some people are "larks" who naturally awaken early, while some are "owls" that prefer to stay up a little later. Initiate a regular bedtime, and try to wake up at the same time every day. Adhere to your schedule even on weekends and during holidays, with only rare exceptions for special occasions.

Follow a simple regimen to slow down your metabolic rate and allow time to unwind before retiring. Sip a cup of herbal tea, read something light, listen to soothing music, or practice relaxation techniques. A back rub or a foot rub can also help you settle down comfortably.

Make yourself supremely comfortable. The right mattress, the right pillow, and the right covering will help you sleep soundly throughout the night. Keep your bedroom quiet, dark, and cool.

Don't fall asleep in front of the television, even if sound is off. The flickering light affects your nervous system and interferes with restorative sleep.

Try a hot bath. Soaking in a hot bath for thirty minutes before going to bed can help you fall asleep faster, experience less wakefulness during the night, and awaken feeling refreshed. For this to work, you have to allow two hours to pass between the bath and going to bed. A high body temperature contributes to wakefulness, not sleepiness.

Get regular aerobic, but do your exercising at least two hours before bedtime. People who exercise regularly generally have less trouble with insomnia.

Prevention

People who do shit work, especially those who work night shifts, often have problems when trying to readjust to daylight hours once a week. After your last night shift for the week, go home and sleep soundly for two or three hours, but get up by noon and begin your daytime life. You will be ready to go to sleep again at night, and should awaken the following morning fully refreshed and ready for the day's activities.

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