Healthy Sleeping Habits by Heather Caruso

Many people do not have a restful and rejuvenating sleep. Some cannot fall asleep and/or stay asleep and wake totally unrefreshed. A lack of restorative sleep affects performance and mood. Sleep is when cellular regeneration and healing happens. There are many factors that contribute to a poor sleep but some strategies and natural medicine may help.

Factors that contribute to poor sleep are diet, emotional stress, lack of exercise, hormonal imbalance, poor liver and adrenal function. Emotional stress is a common cause for sleepless nights. An occasional sleepless night is a normal reaction to a stress. If you suffer from ongoing stress that invades your sleep, you must find a coping mechanism. Exercises such as meditation, tai chi or yoga, may be healthy stress relievers. It is often amazing what a night out with good company will do.

Certain organ systems may produce strange symptoms during the sleep. The liver can disturb the sleep through strange dreams and restlessness. It can also make people irritable and unrefreshed on waking. The adrenal glands are situated on top of the kidneys. If they are imbalanced, it can cause irritability in the morning and a mid afternoon slump. EAV testing can detect stress or weakness in certain organ systems. Ask your Homeopath for a meridian stress assessment.

Hormone imbalances or shifts, such as pregnancy, menopause, PMS or depression can affect sleep profoundly. Menopause, PMS and depression can be due to a pineal or pituitary gland imbalance. The pineal gland controls your sleep and waking cycles (as well anything cyclical, seasonal affective disorder, menstrual cycles etc) and the pituitary is your master hormone gland.

You can stimulate the pineal gland by exposing yourself to sunlight every day. Many people buy indoor SAD lights with great benefit. These lights simulate sunlight and help both mood and sleep. Menopausal hormone fluctuations are easily helped with natural remedies, such as herbs and homeopathy. Black cohosh, soya isoflavones and wild yam are popular herbs for hot flushes. Lachesis is the most common homeopathic remedy.

The traditional homeopathic remedies for sleep are as follows:

• Kali Phos 6X is a great remedy for an overactive mind at night. These types have too much on their plate. It is useful for sleeplessness or stress due to over study and worries about performance.
• Ignatia 30CH is a great remedy for acute grief. The person tends to feel like they are not in control of their emotions and can vacillate between weeping, anger and happiness. This remedy is good for acute grief and the sleeplessness that follows.
• Colubrina 12 or 30CH is another useful remedy for sleeplessness due to thoughts of business or the day’s affairs. These types tend to be workaholics who take a lot of coffee and may drink to relax. Their typical waking time is 3:00 or 4:00 a.m.

It is important to avoid stimulants such as sweets, nicotine and caffeine. Do not eat right before bed. If you do, your blood supply goes to the stomach and you will have a fitful sleep with odd dreams. It is not good for your digestion to be active whilst your body is supposed to be resting.

Control stress, balance hormones and eat well for good health. Every now and then we may need support for insomnia. If your sleep doesn’t improve after one week, seek the help of a Homeopath or your Medical Doctor. Everyone needs their 40 winks!

Read another article by Heather.

Copyright Heather Caruso is a Homeopath practicing in Guelph Ontario Canada. For more information go to www.carusohomeopathy.com | Buy Heather's Book.