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Sleep Treatments -
Natural Treatments to Ensure a Good Night's Sleep
There are many practical suggestions that researchers have
found can work to help the mind and body relax and thus
essentially look forward to and enjoy a good night's sleep.
In some cases it may be a simple matter of regular exercise
or changing the type of mattress one uses. However, for many
others the problem may involve deeper issues and may take a
while to be resolved.
To this end there are a number of natural remedies that can
help address certain problems. It is always advised that
seeking the help of a qualified health care professional or
nutritionist is the best idea to make sure you get the right
targeted help. This prevents taking the wrong doses or
combinations that may in the end not only cause other
problems but could mean a loss of time, energy and money.
With that in mind, some nutritionists have recommended
taking a daily supplement of calcium - around 1500 to 2000
mg. Divided up through the day and taken after meals and at
bedtime. Calcium has been found to have a calming effect.
With the calcium it is important to take some magnesium -
around 1000 mg. Divided throughout the day as well. This
works to balance the calcium and helps to relax muscles.
Vitamin B complex has been useful to improving nerve force
and relieving stress. And inositol can help to improve REM
sleep which is an essential aspect of a good rest. Always
follow the recommended dosages.
Some natural herbs that can contribute to sleep are - kava
kava, skullcap, passionflower, and valerian root. By
rotating them and not relying on any one too much your body
may keep responding to their effects. They are best taken
right before bedtime.
Chamomile and catnip can be used in tea form. Chamomile is
well known to help calm and support the nervous system and
can be drunk throughout the day. Your local health food
store or grocery store may also carry a selection of blended
teas that highlight their purpose of promoting a good
sleep.( Although, just a side note to keep in mind that
drinking too much liquid right before bed may only work to
keep you up with bathroom breaks.)
Another supplement that may help with occasional
sleeplessness is melatonin. This is a naturally occurring
hormone that plays an important role in regulating the
circadian rhythms of sleep and has been helpful with
treating some insomnias. However, experts warn that certain
individuals should not use it - such as pregnant women,
people who suffer depression, schizophrenia or certain
auto-immune diseases. It is always important to check with
your doctor or personal health care provider before trying
any unusual remedy.
Tryptophan is a well known essential amino acid that is
found in many foods that can assist in making you sleepy. We
all know that it is found in turkey. But other foods include
bananas, yogurt, milk, tuna, figs, dates and grapefruits.
On the other hand, tyramine is a compound that comes from
the amino acid tyrosine and it works to increase the release
of a brain stimulant called norepinephrine which would not
encourage sleepiness. It is found in foods such as cheese,
chocolate, bacon, sugar, spinach, tomatoes, wine and sugar.
So it would be advisable to avoid these foods just before
bedtime.
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