Restless sleep – defined as the inability to achieve sufficient healing sleep despite sufficient opportunities – affects about fifty percent of the older population. Given the prevalence of the problem, it may seem like struggling to get soothing sleep a normal part of aging, but in the opposite, lack of quality Sleep can have a negative influence on various health and quality measures.
Conventional treatments for insomnia are intended to provide relief in the short term, so as not to create a long -term difficulty when stopping medication. One class of medicines often prescribed, BenzodiazepinesIt has been shown that it reduces the lean body mass while the body fat is increased, thereby increasing the time that is required to detoxify the body of the body. Moreover, sleep is often exacerbated within 1 to 2 weeks after the use has been stopped. From great care for the elderly are side effects that vary from sedation during the day to dizziness, falls, hip fractures and car accidents.
It seems that natural approaches of insomnia would rule superior, but contain many natural sleeping aids melatonin (the “sleep” hormone) and/or calming herbs (Valerian, California Poppy) – Both can leave an uncomfortable feeling the next morning. This raises the question: “What is the best approach to achieve a relaxing sleep?”
In my experience working with customers, family and friends who struggle with bad sleep, there is one common denominer who is often overlooked: stress! In today’s world it seems that stress is not something that affects the older (usually retired) population, but remember that our stress reactions can negatively influence our long -term stress hormone over time, namely, namely, cortisol.
Cortisol is best known for its role in our long-term stress response, but it also plays a crucial role in regulating our circadian rhythm (sleep-wake cycle). In fact, the cortisol levels in a healthy individual are the highest first, after the rise of the sun. As we approach the afternoon, the cortisol levels fall, but receive a light boost after refueling our body with lunch before we fall to the lowest level after sunset.
Our bodies make no distinction between different forms of stress. Regardless of where the stress comes from or how it is observed by the individual, long -term exposure to cortisol can throw our circadian rhythm out of balance. Although cortisol levels can easily be measured by a saliva test with samples that are taken at different times of the day, it is often not covered by a health insurance policy or even presented by doctors. If measured, one could observe spikes in the cortisol levels in the late hours of the night (10 p.m. – 4 hours), which can coincide with the recount of the individual of their own time of insomnia and/or waking up at night.
Whether you are dealing with a temporary and mild form or a more extreme consistent lack of sleep, my favorite approach to get that much needed deep, regenerative night’s rest is the same: soft nervine herbs that support a healthy stress reaction. It is common to find Passionflower in combination with other calming herbs, but the synergistic relationship between passion floor and skullcap is especially useful in calming an overactive mind, a common symptom of cortisol-onbalans. Hop, the best known for its role in adding tastes to beer, is another herb used to calm the chatter. Hop has been documented in European literature because of his help as early as 1079. These three herbs can be found together in Wishgarden’s Sleepy nightsA remedy formulated to promote a soothing sleep without the grogging feeling the next day!
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Writer Danielle Cicak is the sales representative of Noord -Colorado and Wyoming and regional educator for Wishgarden Herbs in Louisville, Colorado. In 2003, Danielle started working her career in the supplement gangs with Natural Grocers. Inspired to help others with their health and well -being, she followed a training in holistic diet of the Nutrition Therapy Institute in Denver, Colorado. As a Master Nutrition Therapist (MNT), Danielle served as a food health coach (NHC) before he improved to become the NHC development specialist where it led and developed the NHC training program for natural grocers. As a resident of Colorado, Danielle is delighted to work with another local, family business that promotes health and activism through education: Wishgarden Herbs! In her spare time she likes to spend time with family and friends, creating healthy dishes in her kitchen and enjoying the beauty that Colorado has to offer!
Only for educational purposes. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent a disease or to sell a product.
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