Treating Insomnia the Holistic Way
Poor Sleep is one of America's Biggest Health Issues
Oct 31, 2008
Insomnia is one of the biggest health issues that afflicts modern society. The demand for sleeping medications has risen steeply over the last decade, to the point that according to the American Insomnia Association, one third of Americans suffer from this debilitating condition.
Definition of Insomnia
Insomnia is the inability to either fall asleep or to stay asleep and it can be divided into three main types: Transient Insomnia, often related to stress, may occur over a short period of days or up to four weeks duration. It may be brought on by circumstances that cause worry.
When insomnia goes on for longer - from 1 – 6 months duration – it is labeled Short Term. Again it can often be related to circumstances such as a temporary health problem, one’s psychological state or life issues.
More than 20 million Americans suffer from Chronic Insomnia which is defined as having poor sleep most nights for more than six months. However you define insomnia, it is a debilitating condition.
Holistic Therapy View of Insomnia
Insomnia is often linked to stress. However, it can also be caused by toxicity or by environmental electrical pollution. Insomnia can also become a habit through fear of poor sleep giving rise to insomnia phobia. Here are some suggestions that can help:
Dealing with Stress to Alleviate Insomnia
Many people overwork in order to fund an expensive lifestyle. However, this is a personal choice and it is a mistake to think that the individual has no control over how many hours he works. Lower the spending budget and one lowers the amount of work that has to be done.
Counseling can be another way of addressing stress. It works on the principle that people get stuck into a rut and are unable to see their way out. Counseling can help people identify options for change. It can help them to ‘think out of the box’ and find ways of creatively changing their lives in order to reduce stress.
Toxicity May Cause Insomnia
Many people become toxic through poor dietary choices, consuming excess alcohol, caffeine, etc. Alcohol may be a relaxant, but if the liver is toxic it will have the opposite effect and cause insomnia. Going on a detoxification program can help enormously.
Nutritional Changes - Eat less, but eat higher quality food – for example, try to eat more salads and unprocessed foods. Processed and junk foods contain high levels of additives that can act like stimulants. Eating too late in the day means that food is still being digested which can also upset sleep patterns.
Cut down on caffeine drinks - one cup of coffee first thing in the morning is enough. The caffeine drunk during the day builds up in the body and can cause insomnia. It becomes a vicious cycle.
Electrical Smog in the Bedroom
Another cause of insomnia is being surrounded by electrical currents while we are trying to sleep. Nowadays many people will have televisions, radios and mobile or radio phones near their beds. Getting rid of the electrical equipment is essential. Switch things off at the wall instead of leaving them on standby.
Relaxation
It is a good idea before bed time to have a relaxing soak in the bath or - if you are fortunate enough to have a willing partner on hand – ask for a massage just before sleeping.
References: The American Insomnia Association
