Don’t treat sleep like a luxury. 7 to 9 hrs per night is a mandatory requirement for your body’s ability to “fire on all cylinders”. The release of melatonin allows for deep sleep so our bodies can repair & regenerate tissue, strengthen the immune system and build bone & muscle.
Chronic sleep shortage adds up and is connected to obesity, hyperglycemia and Type 2 Diabetes. Disruption of melatonin release combined with unstable blood glucose levels can also lead to Type 2 Diabetes.
Here are some tips that could be helpful:
- Gaba (Gamma-aminobutyric acid) is a neurotransmitter that blocks impulses between nerve cells in the brain to calm the nervous system
- sleep in a dark, quiet, cool room, use an eye mask, ear plugs or a white noise machine if necessary
- 5-HTP (hydroxytryptophan) is converted into serotonin by the brain, which helps anxiety and sleep
- valerian root extract also works well when combined with GABA , skullcap and lemon balm
- lavender, chamomile & passion flower inhaled or ingested as a tea
- Melatonin is a naturally occuring hormone that is produced in our pineal gland to help control sleep and wake cycles
- these natural levels decrease with age
- melatonin supplements also help with jet lag
- tart cherry juice increases melatonin
- avoid large meals after 7pm & snack on foods containing sleep-promoting tryptophan such as walnuts
Adrenal Fatigue “Mild Adrenocortical Deficiency (MAD)” could be the culprit: it involves the inability to produce adequate amounts of cortisol due to repeated exposure to stressful events or circumstances that have depleted the individual’s adaptive mechanisms
I, myself have suffered from a lifetime of insomnia and have yet to discover the magic elixir that will help me sleep through the night. I continue to try different remedies and will certainly share the “magic potion” that works for me if I ever find it!