In the early 1900s, the average American slept 9 hours a night.  Fast forward a hundred years to today and we are finding the average American sleeps between 6-7 hours on a weeknight and 8 hours on the weekends.  In that short time, we haven’t evolved to need less sleep, so what is happening with those vital 2 to 3 hours of rest, relaxation, and restoration?  And where have these hours gone?  We have replaced a good night’s rest with a combination of coffee and other stimulants, late nights glued to computer and televisions screens, and other unhealthy sleeping habits that can result in insomnia.

 

The Holistic Approach to Insomnia

Here at Arogya, many of our clients come to us because they are having issues sleeping.  Sleep researchers estimate that sleeping disturbances, or insomnia, affect between 10 to 30% of adults at any given time.  The Center for Disease Control recently conducted a study and found that 1 in 3 Americans do not get the recommended 7 hours of sleep each night.  Many doctors and specialists encourage even more than 7 hours of sleep and believe the CDC should increase their recommended number of hours.

Sleep problems are often associated with other health problems, including but not limited to gastrointestinal issues, menopausal issues, food or environmental allergies, heart disease, and mental or emotional stress.  Young adults and teens can be especially affected by insomnia and sleep deprivation because they are in a time of vital development of the brain and body.  Because of so many co-factors, insomnia can best be approached from a whole-body and whole-systems, holistic medicine perspective.

 

Tips for Better Sleep

Fortunately, there are many natural ways to restore your sleep cycles and fix your insomnia.  Here are some important holistic solutions for sleep success:

Reduce Screen Time

Turn off all devices 2 hours before bed.  I know it can be very tempting to fall asleep with the television on, or be on your phone while you’re lying in bed, but the light coming off of our screens can affect our body’s natural ability to fall asleep and stay asleep.  This occurs because the artificial light from your screen can suppress melatonin levels.  Melatonin is the chemical messenger in your body produced in the pineal gland that allows you to fall asleep and regulates your sleep/wake cycle.  If melatonin is not released, individuals can be at risk for insomnia and sleep disturbance.  Instead of having screen time before bed, try reading a book, magazine or listening to relaxing music.  Unplugging could be better for you than you ever imagined!

 

Important note on Melatonin

The answer to your screen/sleeping issues should not be to medicate with melatonin.  While melatonin can be helpful, it can have negative side effects, including hormonal imbalances, grogginess, and headaches, and should not be taken for more than a period of 3 months.  Melatonin can be very helpful for those who work night shifts and need to sleep during the day, or for jet lag.  Although some doctors can recommend melatonin for small children, there is limited evidence to support claims and safety.

 

Reduce Your Caffeine Consumption

If you are experiencing insomnia and drink beverages with caffeine, consider reducing your caffeine consumption.  Coffee, tea, and energy drinks can give us the boost we need, but sometimes can be taxing to our adrenal glands.  One way you can reduce your caffeine consumption is through our Coffee to Tea Signature Cleanse.  This cleanse includes different caffeinated and non-caffeinated teas that over time, reduce their caffeine concentrations so you slowly ween off coffee and heavily caffeinated teas.  Some herbal teas, like our Deep Relaxation tea, can be very helpful for those experiencing insomnia.  To learn more about this cleanse, click here: Arogya Coffee to Tea Signature Cleanse.

 

Avoid Late Night Eating and Drinking

Do not eat 3 hours before bedtime. Eating food before bed increases blood sugar and gives your body fuel and energy, which can be detrimental when trying to sleep.  Be mindful of when you are eating dinner or visiting the fridge for a late-night snack and try to close your kitchen 3 hours before you hit the hay.

Drinking liquids before bed can present problems for our sleep success as well.  Waking up to use the bathroom can make it difficult for some people to fall back asleep and they find themselves wide awake after being woken up by the urgency to pee.  Drinking alcohol can exacerbate these issues by not only increasing the urgency to visit the bathroom, but alcohol can spike our blood sugar in the middle of the night and cause us to wake up from a deep sleep feeling dehydrated, irritable, and unrested.  It is best to avoid alcohol 3 hours before bed and try drinking your last sips of tea or water 2 hours before bedtime.

 

Drink Nervine Teas

If you are a tea drinker, we have some wonderful nervine teas that are very medicinal for stress and insomnia. Nervines are herbs that support the nervous system, helping the body heal and recover from daily stress. Adding nervine blends to your daily tea rituals can help ease mental and physical tension and encourage restful sleep.

• Calming De-Stress Tea is one of our best-selling blends for sleep. This soothing tea features the herb Tulsi, also known as Holy Basil, which helps regulate cortisol production, keeping you feeling energized and relaxed throughout the day.
• Deep Relaxation is the perfect tea to drink on stressful days. Deeply soothing Valerian Root is paired with Lemon Balm, Chamomile, and Rose Petals to activate the relax and restore function of the parasympathetic nervous system.
• Banana Chamomile doubles as a healthy and sweet treat. Drinking this delicious and soothing tea may help ease stress and nervous digestion. This blend combines calming Chamomile and Lavender, rich Rooibos, and delicious Dried Coconut and Banana Extract.
• Ashwagandha has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine. It is a multipurpose adaptogen and nervine with potent antioxidant properties that may help support the nervous system, promote restful sleep, and regulate mood and stress.

 

Avoid Late Night Exercise and Start Exercising Earlier in the Day

Avoid strenuous exercise 4 hours before bed.  Your body needs time to relax and wind down.  Cardiovascular exercise can be very helpful for fixing sleeplessness, but it is best done during the morning or afternoon.  If you are not one to exercise and suffer from sleeping issues, try incorporating exercise into your schedule. Going for a nice walk can be a great way to get your body moving and a great way to rebalance your internal clock.

 

Engage in Relaxing Rituals Before Bed

A good night’s sleep is a key part of living a healthy life. A relaxing bedtime ritual helps you wind down and signals to your brain that it’s time to sleep.

• Gentle yoga and stretching not only feel wonderfully meditative and restorative, but also offer tangible benefits, including releasing muscle tension, alleviating stress, and increasing circulation and blood flow. Learn more about Yin Yoga – this grounding practice emphasizes passive, static postures, with muscles in a relaxed state.
• Baths with Epsom salts or a few drops of essential oils can work wonders to relax a stressed nervous system, loosen tight muscles, and ensure deep sleep.
• Foot soaking is a common traditional Chinese remedy to wash away the day’s fatigue and encourage a restful night of sleep. Try our restorative Circulation Herbal Foot Soak – this soothing blend combines Epsom salts, green tea, therapeutic herbs, and essential oils.

 

Aromatherapy to Help You Sleep

Perfect for tired minds and stressed nerves, essential oil blends can help reduce anxiety, relax muscles, and promote tranquility and emotional release. Diffusing essential oils in your room before you sleep or applying a few drops topically will keep your senses focused on the natural fragrance while sending a message to the rest of your body to let go. Scents can evoke memories and trigger a strong emotional response. Tapping into the powerful connection between aromatherapy and emotion can help us create soothing surroundings that support our overall well-being.

Here are some of our signature essential oil blends to promote relaxation:

• Calm
• Chamomile Lavender
• Meditation

 

Meditation and Guided Relaxation

Try practicing a mindfulness exercise or meditation.  Meditation has been found to be extremely calming to the body and mind and studies have shown that meditation can not only improve sleep hours and sleep quality, but improve wakefulness and alertness during the day.  There are a number of free resources available to start you on a meditation journey, including podcasts, apps, and videos with guided meditations.  We also offer guided meditation at Arogya.  If you are interested in trying it out, please contact us at 203-226-2682.

 

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

From my personal experience, acupuncture and Chinese herbs were my saving grace during times of insomnia and waking up in the middle of the night.  Even though I was eating right, exercising, and avoiding caffeine and sugars, I would still find myself waking up at 2:00 or 3:00 am, fully charged and ready for the day.  I would lay in bed awake and then the whole next day, be tired and groggy.  It was acupuncture and Chinese medicine that turned out to be the ultimate solution for my sleeping issues.

Our acupuncturist at Arogya, Gregor Bertram, has helped many individuals restore their sleep scheduled while restoring their whole-body vitality and wellness.  Please feel welcome to call us at 203-226-2682 if you would like to schedule an appointment with Gregor.

 

Your Best Health

Sleep issues can affect all aspects of your life and make you irritable, low-energy, and low-functioning, and can take some of the joys and vital energy out of life.  Our team at Arogya is committed to helping people live their lives to the fullest and highest well-being and we are here if you or anyone you love is suffering from sleep deprivation or insomnia.  Please feel welcome to give us a call or send us an email if you would like more information about our resources or would like to schedule an appointment.

 

by: Alison Larocca

 

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Disclaimer

This information in our blog is intended only as a general reference for further exploration and is not a replacement for professional health advice. These statements have not been approved by the FDA