Help for those sleepless nights
By Shelley D. Brienza
If you are like me, a woman in her mid 40’s, you might experience sleepless nights. We are told there are many possible causes from peri-menopause to having that late night glass of wine to eating too close to bedtime. The list goes on and on. If you lie in bed with your mind racing, unable to shut off, or twist and turn endlessly, then I recommend trying some of these more natural remedies to find “la-la land”.
If you have trouble falling asleep, try massaging your ears! Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners advise insomniacs to rub their earlobes, which are loaded with powerful acupressure points using the thumb and index finger for 30 seconds, or until they feel hot. It is said this removes any blockages in the flow of qi, the body’s life force, and brings on a restorative sleep. And science backs this up too. It is supposed to help you experience less anxiety and fall asleep faster, reducing or even eliminating need for sleeping pills.
If you have restless sleep try sipping a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with water 30 minutes after dinner. Tests show this inexpensive home remedy improves sleep quality for 50% of tossers and turners. Apple cider vinegar mimics stomach acid to speed up digestion.
Switch off all electronics in your bedroom if you have your computer on in there. Turn off your cell phone too. These things can emit low electromagnetic radiation that interferes with the body’s natural sleep cycle.
If you wake up in the middle of the night try, drinking a hot cup of tea before bed. It helps you fall asleep faster and helps to keep you asleep. That credit goes to L-theanine, a phytochemical in tea that calms anxiety and stress. Research shows that loading up on tea through cup or capsule prepares your body for deep sleep and even lengthens the amount of time you are in stage 4 sleep, the most important restorative type of sleep.
On a last note, one other way shown to help you sleep at night is to sleep in the buff! Studies have shown that wearing your favorite pajama’s often interferes with getting comfortable. Keeping the body a bit cooler induces a better sleep.
Sleep Tips
Need a burst of energy fast?
Massage peppermint oil on your temples and wrists! Aromatherapy studies show the scent quos your brain to wake up and focus.
The vibrations created by a hearty belly laugh cause contractions of the diaphragm that act as a fatigue-erasing internal massage! Plus, laughter lowers your levels of stress hormones and releases endorphins that brighten your mood and rev up your energy.
Compounds in the all-natural versions of peppermint candy help prevent cortisol from converting into cortisone, the hormone’s inactive form. And keeping more cortisol in your system helps your body produce sufficient glucose, preventing energy-sapping blood sugar dips.
Fight fatigue with honey
Just 1 tsp. is enough to increase your pep as much as the pricey energy gels that athletes down! Honey is a low-glycemic food that delivers a steady, sustained rise in blood sugar, while avoiding the energy- sapping blood sugar crashes caused by other sweet stuff. Take it straight or enjoy it in a cup of your favorite tea.
Dark bedrooms lower cancer risk
That’s the news from researchers who found that light disrupts normal cell division and activates the genes that can raise your risk of disease.
Help Prevent Diabetes
Cocoa powder is a concentrated source of magnesium. In fact just 1 oz. contains 140 mg. The darker the cocoa the more magnesium it contains.
Oregano Oil
A sore throat can be naturally soothed with the presence of oregano oil. It’s been shown to be as effective at killing germs within a 24 hour period. A study proven dose: mix two drops of oil of oregano with 6 oz. of water. Gargle three times daily.
Prevent illness with Garlic
Allicin kills bacteria more effectively than many antibiotics, research shows. Study proven dose: One clove of garlic or one Garlique capsule daily.
Kale is full of isothiocynates, compounds that suppress tumor growth, and indole, which stops abnormal cells from converting to cancer.
Lemon Zest is rich in limonene, which protects against skin cancer.
