Reflexology For The Spirit

spirituality of one's health

Trouble Sleeping?

More and more people seem to be suffering from lack of sleep.  Stress is   overtaking our lives, it seems.  About a third of the people I encounter are battling insomnia.  But, stress isn’t the only cause of insomnia.  Low levels of estrogen and thyroid can rob you of your sleep.  Adrenal imbalances prevent sleep.  Nutritional deficiencies contribute to insomnia.  And on and on and on…

With this article, I offer  the first in a series of posts dedicated to suggestions you can use to assure you a better night’s sleep.  You may have some client partners  to share this information with also.

Some suggestions may be things you already know about.  That’s okay, it’s always nice to review and update information you may have forgotten  you know.

Other  suggestions will be new.  That’s good, too.  It’s always nice to add new skills to your tool box.

But, whether they’re tried and true, or brand new, give them a try.

  1.  Simplify your bedroom.  By that, I mean:  Move all your electronic devices out of your sleep space.   Computers, phones, TV’s, etc., emit signals as well as lights which can disturb a good night’s sleep.
  2. Hide your alarm clock  under your bed or in your closet.  The last thing you need on a sleepless night is to be continually reminded of how quickly or slowly time is passing.
  3. Regular Exercise  is important.  Try to get at least twenty minutes of exercise daily.  This habit will not only  help you sleep better,  but it  will help you feel better during the day, too.
  4. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco in the evenings.   I know this sounds super boring, but this suggestion is both real and completely spot on.   As evening approaches, drop the coffee, and go for other foods and beverages which are relaxing.  One of my favorite bedtime snacks is a small container of plain Greek yogurt topped with whipped cream.   It’s nutritious, delicious, and it never keeps me awake.  If I wake up in the middle of the night, I eat this as a snack to help me go back to sleep.
  5. Then, there’s the old tried and true Usui Reiki Therapy.  When a client complains of insomnia, offer to teach him/her Reiki.  I find Reiki to be one of the best sleep aids out there.  When I use Reiki as as way of going to sleep, I never make it through a session.  I’m always asleep in less than 20 minutes.
  6. Develop winding down habits to help you prepare to be sleepy as you go to bed. This may mean a guided meditation, calming music, warm bath.
  7.   SKIP THE SLEEPING PILLS.   There are many herbal and nutritional preparations that may work for you.  Try them out until you find one you like best.  For your first selection, you may want to try melatonin, a product which should be taken about an hour before going to bed.  Melatonin is not a sleeping pill.  It will only work if you have  a low melatonin level.  
  8. Start paying attention to your sleep habits by learning when you go to bed in the evenings.  Your goal is to be able to allow yourself about eight or so hours to sleep each night.

Finally, I don’t know about you, but I hate the way I feel when I don’t get enough sleep.

Thanks for reading the first in this series of sleep promoting posts.  Insomnia is so prevalent these days.  It’s accompanied by depression and anxiety.

Please share this article with your favorite social media network.

Check in regularly to learn more things you can do to get a good night’s sleep.

Thanks!

Thurman Greco

PS:  I have more information about insomnia in my book.