INSOMNIA (LACK OF SLEEP)

Researchers have identified insomnia (lack of sleep) as a cause of serious disorders ranging from diabetes to high stress levels. The results show that is taking a huge toll on the quality of life and the health of sufferers.

One of the reasons that insomnia is on the rise of the high stress levels and time pressures associated with modern living. The people would gladly get more sleep if they could, but the information age, which was supposed to make everything more efficient, has just made everything busier. Many people complain of insomnia, with stress during the day making them too tense or worried to be able to fall asleep at night. Lack of sleep, in turn, creates more stress on the job and at home. However, it  is important to know at the outset that not all people require the same amount of sleep. Sleeping cycles very among people and throughout a person’s life. Moreover, while one person may only require four hours of sleep, others may need ten hours.

SELF-HELP GUIDELINES

Fortunately, lifestyle changes and herbal medicines can help treat the problem. You can try these time-tested remedies:

·         Do some exercise everyday – but never late in the evening

·         Avoid caffeine in all forms, especially after lunch.

·         Avoid long naps during the day

·         Don’t choose alcohol as a remedy for sleeplessness. Even though alcohol is a sedative, it 

           can disturb the sleep. Remember that sleep is different from sedation.

·         Drink buffalo milk. It contains rich amounts of an amino acid, L-tryptophan, which induces 

           sleep.

·         Eat sweets before going to bed-time. Charaka Samhita says that bath is the best remedial

           measure to counteract exertion.

·         Read a book or do some repetitive, calm activity such as chanting a mantra.

·         Avoid distractions that may hold your attention and keep you awake, such as watching a

           suspense movie or a thrilling game.

·         Make your bedroom as comfortable as possible. Create a quiet, dark atmosphere. Use  

           clean, fresh sheets and pillow and keep the room temperature comfortable. Neither too

           warm nor too cold.

·         Half a tablespoonful of fried cumin seed powder (safed-jeera) stuffed in banana cut

           length-wise is to be taken in the evenings. Alternately, inhalation on poppy seeds

         (gasagasaalu/afim) heated and wrapped in a cloth bag works excellently. You can even

          take glassful of milk with a pinch of nutmeg powder at bedtime.