DEAL WITH INSOMNIA NATURALLY

If you’ve been lying awake lately, staring into the darkness and wondering how you will ever get to sleep, you are suffering from insomnia, which can be dangerous to your health. Without a good night’s sleep, your body is deprived of essential rest, and you cannot function optimally the next day. A stream of sleepless nights can cause more damage than you are aware of, so it’s important to take steps to deal with the problem. Whatever it’s causes – depression, anxiety, stress, etc., there is a solution to insomnia, and if you want some tips on how to handle sleeplessness the natural way, read on.

To start with, stay away from stimulants like caffeine, and do remember that sugar can raise the activity of adrenalin and cortisol. Raised cortisol levels prevent sleep. Coffee drinkers take twice as long to drop off to sleep than non-coffee drinkers, and they sleep about one to two hours fewer than those given decaf coffee, so it is wise to avoid caffeinated drinks in the afternoon.

Although tea contains caffeine, it also contains L-theanine. This amino acid promotes relaxation, inducing calming alpha waves in the brain.

Follow a Low GL Diet which cuts down on sugar, and includes foods that keep the blood sugar levels balanced, such as wholegrain pasta or brown rice. Eat protein with carbohydrates to further slow down the release of sugars in the carbohydrates.

The main neurotransmitter that switches off adrenalin is called Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). When your levels of GABA are low, you will feel anxious and have trouble sleeping. Although alcohol is classified as a relaxant precisely because it promotes GABA, it actually also promotes anxiety. The net consequence of regular alcohol consumption is GABA depletion, which leads to more adrenalin and consequently less good-quality sleep. To bring your brain chemistry back into balance, it’s better to avoid alcohol.

Sleep problems can also be triggered off by insufficient calcium and magnesium. These two minerals work together to calm the body and enable the muscles and nerves to relax. Therefore, ensure you take in plenty of magnesium rich foods like seeds, nuts, green vegetables, whole grains and seafood. Milk products, green vegetables, nuts and seeds are excellent sources of calcium as well.

Sip on herbal teas that contain chamomile, lavender or orange, or take a warm bath. Reading before sleeping is also recommended, but choose something light and relaxing. A leisurely stroll before bedtime can also help. Most of all, calm your thoughts and focus on the positive. You can beat insomnia and get a good night’s sleep every night!