Jul
21
Some Q’s for you to gauge if you’re not getting enough Zzzzz’s:
1. Are you the type who becomes unconscious as soon as your head hits the pillow? Y/N
2. Do you find yourself nodding off when you’re supposed to be relaxing for a couple of hours in front of the TV at night? Y/N
3. Are you always moody, grumpy, and easily distracted under daily circumstances? Y/N
4. Do you rely on an alarm clock to wake you up, and when it does, do you hit the snooze button repeatedly? Y/N
5. A cup of coffee is your lifeline every morning. Y/N
6. You find yourself overcompensating for sleep during weekends, because the rest of the week you are always burning the midnight oil. Y/N
Now, tally your scores. Count the number of times you said “yes” to the questions and statements above. If you have no “yes” answers, chances are you have pretty sound and healthy sleep habits.
If you answered “yes” once or more, you may be sleep deprived and need to review your current lifestyle. The quality and quantity of sleep get directly affected by your schedule, and other things that you don’t think matter. If you suspect a sleep disorder that is not easily remedied, consult your doctor.
Jul
4
Insomniac? Stressed? Get “Naturally” Sleepy And Calm!
Filed Under Healthy Living, Natural Supplements | Leave a Comment
So you’re wide awake at an ungodly hour once again…and you’re not even partying! Insomnia has reared its ugly head and you’re suffering big time. You just want to sleep and put your poor, tired body to rest for the night.
If you’re iffy about taking sleeping pills (and I don’t blame you), why not try taking Valerian? It’s a natural sleep aid that’s been approved in plenty of European countries like Germany and Britain. Native to Europe and North America, it grows in all seasons, with the Latin name Valeriana officinalis. Easily recognizable for its pretty pinkish-white flowers, Valerian is harvested when it’s around two years old for the important compounds found in its roots. These compounds: valepotriates, valeric acid, and other volatile oils, are proven to have sedative powers.
And the natural ingredients of a Valerian plant don’t only induce sleep. They actually help relax the mind, as well. Used as a calming agent for centuries, Valerian is also ideal for even stressful situations in the day time, as well as anxiety disorders including diverticulosis and irritable bowel syndrome.
Some notes before taking Valerian for insomnia or stress, however: it may cause drowsiness if taken during the day. Also, breastfeeding or pregnant women shoud avoid taking Valerian. Otherwise, it’s pretty safe to pop a Valerian capsule, pill, or drink an infusion of it as tea, and let the natural ingredients work their way into a calmer state of mind for you.