Why Can’t I Sleep
Good Morning! If you or your loved ones suffer from insomnia, you are rarely able to say you are having a “good morning”. Insomnia is reaching epidemic proportions and more and more people are wondering… Why can’t I sleep? Our fast-paced, high-demand, super-pressured lifestyles often don’t allow us to get a blissful eight hours of sleep. For most insomniacs, the effects can become incapacitating if not life-threatening.
The first step in finding a cure is empowering yourself with the facts about insomnia. Insomnia is the inability to get the amount of sleep you need to wake up feeling rested and refreshed. The number of hours needed varies by individual so insomnia is about the quality of your sleep and how you feel after sleeping and is not just based on hours of sleep. You may even believe you are getting enough sleep but still wake up feeling worn out and lethargic.
The typical culprits of the Sleepless Nights roller coaster includes: Stress, emotional trauma, jet lag, shift work, noisy sleeping environment, sleeping temperatures, medical issues, hospitalization, drug or alcohol withdrawal, menopause, pregnancy, a snoring or restless bed mate or even changes in altitude all add up to why you may be suffering from insomnia.
The problems that may lead to chronic insomnia (lasting more than 3 weeks) may include anxiety, depression, stress or some mental disorders. The physiological causes range from circadian rhythm disorders, disrupted sleep patterns or may begin with a medical condition. These can include: genetic disorders, chronic pain syndromes, restless leg syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, congestive heart failure, back or chest pain, acid reflux, COPD, nocturnal asthma or sleep apnea.
It’s no surprise so few people are waking up feeling energized and ready to master their world. Instead many people lay in bed stressing out because they can’t fall asleep. Or they may fall asleep but wake up in the middle of the night and then can’t get back to sleep. These groggy, sleep deprived folks are impaired in many ways as they try to get through another day. This loss of energy and drive impacts their ability to perform in their jobs, negatively impacts relationships due to irritability and causes a downward spiral as they fall behind in many of their obligations. It is also impossible to communicate in an effective and pleasant way when you are cranky and tired.
Insomnia can cause some pretty serious side effects:
· Weakens the immune system
· Increases chances of heart disease, ulcers and mood disorders
· Symptoms of ADHD
· Accelerates tumor growth
· Increases symptoms of chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and autoimmune conditions
· Mental impairment, memory lapse or loss, even hallucinations
· Impaired judgment and performance
· Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
· Decreased reaction time and accuracy
· Tremors and other aches and pains
· Feeling of hunger even after eating that can lead to obesity
· Strained relationships caused by irritability and moodiness
· Premature aging and shortened life span
Reports show 30% to 35% of Americans report difficulty falling asleep during the previous year and about 10% reported chronic insomnia. Insomnia is not viewed as a real medical condition and those suffering from it can be labeled lazy, out of control or unbalanced. So what do most people turn to as a solution? Instead of seeking a natural insomnia remedy, most people take over-the-counter or prescription drugs.
Prescription cures are big business with Americans shelling out $5 billion dollars a year on sleeping pills and $600 million invested by the pharmaceutical companies to advertise. Despite whopping $4.00 per sleeping pill on average spent, the effectiveness is not impressive and the side effects down right frightening. Common side effects of prescription sleeping pills such as Lunesta, Sonata, Ambien, Rozerem, and Halcion may include burning or tingling in the extremities, changes in appetite, constipation or diarrhea, balance issues, drowsiness (duh), dizziness, dryness of mouth, gas and bloating, heartburn or stomach pain, headaches, shaking, weakness and strange dreams.
The more disturbing fact is sleeping pills can cause parasomnias, doing things like sleepwalking, making phone calls or even driving while you are sleeping! Sleeping pills can even cause people to eat while they are asleep, they can eat non-food items since they are asleep and some report huge weight gain from sleep-eating. Ambien is one of the top 10 drugs detected in the bloodstreams of impaired drivers. Add to this the fact that sleeping pills are highly addictive and the risk may far outweigh the benefits.
The encouraging news is there are many safe and natural options that can work towards an actual cure not just cover up the symptoms. The two supplements that have gained popularity due to their effectiveness for insomnia are melatonin and valerian.
Melatonin is available as an over-the-counter supplement. Usually the dose taken is between .5mg – 3mg taken about 30 minutes before bedtime. Start with the lowest dose to determine the minimum amount necessary to achieve your desired results. Healthy adults usually produce about 5 to 25 micrograms of melatonin each night which is 80 times less than the amount contained in a 2mg tablet, so less is better. Beware that some studies indicate that taking melatonin on a regular basis could lead to depression and can be habit-forming.
Valerian is an herb with mild sedative effects. Studies show that it improves deep sleep, helps you fall asleep faster and enhances your overall quality of sleep. Take 200-400 mg.
Our newest hope for insomnia has just been created by a young mother with 3 small children and it is receiving rave reviews. Berry Sleepy will help you fall asleep quickly, but gently. You will wake up refreshed, without feeling groggy or hung over like prescription sleeping pills. You can use it without fear of addiction, since Berry Sleepy is simply nutritious fruit.
New research studies have shown that Montmorency (Tart) Cherries, Goji Berries and Passion Fruit contain vitamins, minerals and naturally-occurring compounds that reduce insomnia and regulate sleep cycles. These three superfruits are combined to work synergistically for the first time in Berry Sleepy. I use this product whenever I have trouble falling asleep and also use it for our kids. I’ve recommended it to many others who have had great results as well.
Berry Sleepy is not just a natural sleep aid, it’s a healthy sleep aid. Berry Sleepy is rich in Vitamins A and C and is packed with powerful antioxidants (especially anthocyanins) that can actually improve your health. With Berry Sleepy, you can infuse your body with powerful antioxidants and vitamins while you sleep.
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Sweet Dreams,
Sandy Scherschligt
Sandy is CEO of Millionaire Moms, a Freelance writer, Nutrition Consultant and business woman with over 25 years of experience in many diverse fields. Co-author of Bagladys Guide to Elegant Living, Mind Your Money, Mind Your Business, A Creative Real Estate (ACRE), The Business Owners Success System (BOSS), ad The Perfect Tax Solution. She is a corporate specialist in Direct Sales. Sandy is also a whole lot of fun to work with!
