Get a Good Night's Sleep

We've talked before about the importance of getting a good night's sleep, but it bears repeating. The average adult needs at least seven hours of sleep every night, if not more. Most people aren't getting nearly enough sleep. This results in feeling tired of course, but it can also weaken our immune systems and make us more prone to catching every bug and germ that's out there. During peak cold and other ailment season, that's never a good thing! Make sure you get the most restful sleep you can.



The Importance of Winding Down

Stacey Salant, a licensed clinical psychologist, recommends creating a night time ritual that cues your body it's time to fall asleep. Just like a child learns that taking a bath, putting on pajamas, saying prayers and hearing a story means it's bedtime, an adult needs a ritual too!  Some ideas for creating your own sleep-inducing ritual may include:

•    A warm bath or shower, followed by putting on nightgown, pajamas, or snuggly clothes that say "time to relax."

•    A moratorium on news broadcast, late night television shows, dramas or other shows with high levels of emotion. These can keep you awake rather than promote rest.

•    Listening to soft music and unwinding with prayer or meditation as bedtime rolls around.

•    A cup of herbal tea, such as Sleepy Time made by Celestial Seasonings. It contains chamomile, spearmint and other herbs that promote rest. Other teas such as valerian and chamomile induce rest.

•    Not eating past six p.m.  A full stomach may keep you awake longer and confuse your body's natural signals.


Why We Crave Darkness

Did you know that light stimulates the pineal gland, and too much light late in the day can actually promote insomnia? And it's not just electric lights, either – the light coming off your computer screen may be enough to keep you wide awake.  If you're finding it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep, make sure that you:

•    Do not use the computer in the evenings

•    Avoid having a lot of electric lights on during the evening hours

•    Avoid light stimulation from television sets

•    Draw shades or curtains to create a dark bedroom (or invest in blackout curtains, which create total darkness)

•    Turn digital clocks away from the bed or better yet, get rid of them entirely

I hope that these tips will give you the sleep your body needs and craves. While some people reach for sleeping pills, there are so many natural ways to promote a restful sleep that trying at least some of these ideas should yield results.


Written by:  Jeanne Grunert
Copyright 2009 RawPeople.com All rights reserved



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These statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration.  The preceding information and/or products are for educational purposes only and are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or treat illness. Please consult your doctor before making any changes or before starting ANY exercise or nutritional supplement program or before using this information or any product during pregnancy or if you have a serious medical condition.