Are you tired of counting sheep? Is lack of sleep giving you bags under your eyes? Are you so sleep-deprived that the only way you can get through the morning is by drinking a triple espresso? Not being able to sleep affects everyone at some point in their life and about 10% of the population suffer from insomnia that continues for six months or more. Many experts recommend that we get between seven and nine hours of sleep per night and whilst it is important to make sure that we get enough sleep, it is equally important that we get good quality sleep.
The body needs rest, the brain needs sleep…
Sleep is necessary to help our brain recover and recuperate from the day’s activities. We have different cycles of sleep to achieve this. These cycles are known as Rapid Eye Movement(REM) and non-REM (slow wave) sleep, and they are meant to occur in a specific order and for the right amount of time. If you are not getting enough sleep, or your sleep cycles are disturbed, then your brain is not getting enough time to rejuvenate and ‘reset’, and you are more likely to suffer some of the following:
• Poor concentration
• Poor memory
• Clumsiness/carelessness
• Low mood
• Irritability
• Fatigue
So what keeps us tossing and turning all night ??
Whilst there are many reasons for sleep disturbances, stress is the most common trigger. Researchers have found that there is often an increase in stress hormones (such as cortisol) in people who have sleeping problems. So if it takes you a while to nod off, or if you frequently wake during the night and cannot fall back to sleep, then it is essential to address your stress levels.
Natural therapies may be the answer to help you sleep
The benefits of using natural therapies for sleep maintenance are that they are not addictive like some medications and won’t leave you feeling groggy in the morning. Even more importantly, natural medicines can help address the underlying causes of poor sleep such as nutritional deficiencies and stress. Other nutrients such as magnesium, calcium, and iron are also important for good sleep. A deficiency in these minerals can lead to insomnia.
Tips for a better night’s sleep…
As well as herbs and natural supplements, these handy hints can also help you get a better night’s sleep:
• Get regular exercise (avoid exercising two hours before bed)
• Eliminate stimulants such as caffeine and sugar (even reducing them during the day may help)
• Try to go to bed around the same time each night
• Create a dark sleeping environment
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Use the bed and bedroom only for sleep and intimacy with your partner
• If you can’t sleep, try not to focus too hard on getting to sleep as this creates stress and can perpetuate the situation.
Fusion Health Stress and Anxiety provides a synergistic combination of Chinese and Ayurvedic herbs to assist in the management of stress disorders, reduce anxiety, improve stress resistance, promote tranquility, conserve energy and enhance mental function. Fusion Health Sleep Tonic provides pharmacologically and traditionally evidenced hypnotic, sedative and nerve relaxant effects to relieve symptoms of insomnia and poor quality sleep. Fusion Health Sleep Tonic is non-addictive and can be combined with Stress and Anxiety for maximum benefit.
The Scentual NRG Grounding Oil and Slumber Oil may also be beneficial as they both contain Vetiver Essential Oil which is great for helping to switch the mind off when it's racing. If you lay in bed at night and can't help but think about everything, the body won't be able to relax so that you can fall asleep. Both of these essential oil blends help you to relax and promote a good nights sleep.
Testimonial:
I have been in nursing for the past 30 years and over the past couple of years have been on many different medications for a high blood pressure problem. My GP was suprised on my last visit as my blood pressure has now stabilised to that of an 18 year olds. The only thing I have changed is over the past month I have been using the Transdermal Magnesium Spray and taking the Fusion Health supplements and I am now sleeping through the night as well. I used to have trouble falling asleep and I would wake feeling tired but now I'm feeling so much more rested.
Margaret, Tallebudgera, Queensland
