Why Do We Have Sleep Disorders?
Essential to Good Health
Proper rest is essential to good health, and sleeplessness is a sign of imbalance. If your sleep is habitually disturbed it can be very damaging to the vital energy of the body and immune system. With more rest your energy and focus improve, the immune system and your body’s ability to deal with stress are strengthened, and nagging health conditions resolve more easily.
Why do we have Sleep Disorders?
Sleep can be disrupted by anxiety, cardiovascular or digestive disorders, depression, hormonal imbalances, and pain. Further, many medications have the side effect of sleeplessness. The effects of imbalance can be as simple as difficulty quieting the mind when preparing for sleep, or sleep which is easily disturbed by light or sound, to very restless, agitated or dream disturbed sleep.
What to do, What to avoid
Stimulating food and drink including heavy meats, rich sauces, alcohol/caffeine and spicy foods should be avoided in the evening. Stressful mental work should be avoided if possible in the evenings and vigorous exercise should be scheduled earlier in the day. Activity should be restful. Also, gentle stretching and breathing exercises as well as meditation can help prepare the body for sleep.
For some people, soaking the feet in warm water helps to draw the energy down from the head and quiet the mind. Others find a tea of chamomile or valerian beneficial. A gentle foot massage can relax the body and the mind as well. However, for more serious sleep disturbance a personalized herbal remedy can be prescribed along with acupuncture treatments directed at benefiting sleep and restoring balance.
We at Chen’s Acupuncture in Seattle/Bellevue, WA will be happy to answer any questions you might have about the excellent benefits of acupuncture and herbs to regulate your sleep. Just stop by our office, email us at info@chensacupuncture.com or call Janette at 425 644 2056. Thank you.
Source: www.acupuncture.com
(Image courtesy of GettysGirl, Flickr under the creative commons license)
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