|
 |
Pharmacy |
|
|
Over
10,000 products currently online...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Feeling Drowsy? Press Your Snooze Button!
Look what you lose when you lose sleep:
* Strength and vitality
* Some of your immunity to disease: latest research links lack of
sleep to some serious illnesses
* Your concentration -- so vital to productivity and creativity, not
to forget safe driving
* Your ability to absorb new information and retain old
* Your memory for things and people
* Your good cheer: that day long down and depressed feeling starts
when you wake up unrefreshed and lethargic
* Your ability to handle day-to-day stress
Now look at what you get when you sleep enough and well:
* Sparkling eyes and radiant complexion
* Good digestion
* Rested body
* Refreshed mind
* Enhanced energy levels
* Heightened concentration
* The enthusiasm to live to the brim the day ahead
Not a bad deal, considering all you have to do is lie down and close
your eyes. But obviously the world is having considerable trouble
shutting its eyes, or researchers and doctors wouldn't be quoting
alarming Sleep Debt figures all the time.
But then there is always some good news to offset the bad. The good
news is that people the world over are waking up to the realization
that enough good quality sleep is absolutely necessary for good
health. Another reason to smile: they are relying less on side-effect-
causing tranquilizers and sedatives. More than 50% of Americans today
are leaning toward alternative healing to address problems such as
inadequate sleep or day-to-day stress.
Every day, more and more people are finding rest and rejuvenation
through time-tested advice from holistic healing systems like
ayurveda, the 5,000-year-old healing tradition from India. "While
herbal formulations are at the heart of ayurveda, it offers a true
holistic approach - there are simple things you can do with your diet
and lifestyle to promote better sleep, naturally," says Rama Kant
Mishra, ayurvedic researcher, product formulator and educator.
Here are some tips from Mishra to promote quality sleep:
1. Avoid nicotine and alcohol before bed. Nicotine is a potent
stimulant, and the metabolism of alcohol has an alerting effect,
which interferes with sleep. Skip the afternoon latte if you can: the
stimulating effect of caffeine can remain for as long as 12 hours.
Keep in mind that many teas and sodas contain high caffeine levels as
well. If you need a beverage before bed, sip some milk with a pinch
of turmeric -- it's a natural tranquilizer; or try warm milk with
some rose petal preserve to cool down the mind, body and emotions.
Herbal teas with relaxing ayurvedic herbs and spices can help you
wind down before bed.
2. Create a cozy cocoon. Eliminate the clutter in your room and in
your mind, and maintain a comfortable temperature in your bedroom --
neither too hot nor too cold, and keep the room dark enough to make
your eyes feel rested. Wear comfortable clothing; cotton is
recommended.
3. Practice soothing aromatherapy. Lavender oil or a lavender sachet
on your bedside table may help you feel sleepy and more relaxed. Let
the aroma diffuse in your bedroom for a half-hour before you go to
bed.
4. A warm herb or aroma infused bath a couple of hours before bedtime
can have a very soothing effect. The bath will raise your
temperature, and as the body temperature gradually drops, you will
start to feel sleepy.
5. Because a lower body temperature is a trigger for sleep, ayurveda
recommends not exercising vigorously close to bedtime.
6. Maintain a consistent bedtime routine. Waking up and sleeping on
time will help balance both body and mind.
7. Try and make your bedroom a haven of peace. Use alarm clocks only
if absolutely necessary. Even then, keep them where you can hear them
and switch them off quickly, but not see them first thing in the
morning. And do invest in a softly musical alarm clock that will wake
you but not jar you awake unpleasantly.
8. What you eat and the time you eat it can affect the quality of
your sleep. We have all experienced the discomfort that comes from
eating a heavy meal late at night. Ideally, your last meal of the day
should be done at least three hours before you go to bed.
9. A gentle massage of hands, feet and neck before bed can aid
relaxation. In bed, take long, deep, easy breaths, letting your mind
and body relax.
10. And finally, enjoy life! Laughter is indeed powerful medicine,
as is positive, nurturing companionship. The more stress-free your
day, the easier it will be to have blissful sleep at night.
Note - This ayurvedic information is education, and is not intended
to replace standard medical treatment or advice.
Copyright MAPI, 2001-2002
To sign up for newsletters on ayurveda, or to shop online for
ayurvedic products, please visit http://www.mapi.com.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
