Category: sleeping

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SLEEP SUNDAY – LET’S TALK ABOUT ACUPRESSURE POINTS TO HELP YOU SLEEP…

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If you struggle to get off to sleep and have tried lots of different techniques to help you go to sleep then give acupressure points a try. According to the tenets of traditional Chinese medicine, the human body is rife with invisible energy pathways called meridians. If the flow of this energy (also called “chi”) is blocked, it can negatively affect the body’s health.

Acupressure addresses sleep disorders both directly and indirectly. Massaging certain acupoints before bedtime can help you fall asleep faster and have a better quality of sleep without the need for sedatives.

In terms of sleep, it helps with many physical and mental aspects which can interfere with it. It can help you to fall asleep more easily and sleep better once you do, as sleep-related acupoints help to calm the mind and the body.

There are several acupoints that, when massaged, can help to fight insomnia and improve sleep. They work by addressing the physical and mental aspects which affect sleep. If your sleep disturbances are caused by pains resulting from headaches and migraines or by gastrointestinal issues, then check out Doshamat’s posts here and here to learn how acupressure can help. 

One easy one to try is – to place the tips of your index and middle fingers on the centre of your breastbone, at the acupressure point known as ‘Sea of Tranquility. Now close your eyes and apply steady pressure, not too hard, for a minute or two. You will then soon feel tension, anxiety and stress start to slip away.

You could also use your first two fingers and tap them across the top of your head from temple to temple. Then work from front to back and side to side as this can get blood and oxygen moving to ease tension and restore focus.

To destress your shoulders make a gentle half-closed fist and with a loose wrist, tap your right hand gently but firmly up your left arm, along your shoulder and up the side and back of your neck. Repeat the same process on the other side to ease tension and release endorphins.

Source: Doshamat AjnaWell Being

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SLEEP SUNDAY – LET’S TALK ABOUT THE BEST WAY TO GET A GOOD NAP…

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The jury is out about whether a daily nap is good or bad for you but as far as I am concerned I could not cope without my little nap every afternoon.

They do say that napping can restore alertness, enhance performance and help overcome fatigue as used by Winston Churchill and Einstein, who both enjoyed an afternoon nap. It helps with a quicker reaction time and better memory.

I never get a full night’s sleep due to pain waking me up but a 30-minute nap in the afternoon can help me to catch up on one 90-minute cycle missed during the nighttime.

The nest time for a nap is supposed to be between 1pm and 3pm, but I don’t think this needs to be followed rigidly. My nap is usually between 2.30-3.0pm but never later than that. They say if you nap between 1pm and 3pm it will follow the natural cycle of your circadian rhythm.

The US company Google advocate napping at work and actually provides nap pods which block both light and sound. AMAZING…

A NASA study on sleepy military pilots and astronauts found a 40-minute nap improved performance by 34% and alertness by 100%.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, 74% of women get less sleep per night than men but women feel guiltier about taking a nap.

A power nap can also be great to awaken your fatigue which can set in after 1pm. They do say that you should keep your naps short.  Aim to nap for only 10 to 20 minutes. The longer you nap, the more likely you are to feel groggy afterwards. However, young adults might be able to tolerate longer naps.

Simply shutting your eyes for 10 minutes is all you need to feel a new you so enjoy it when you can.

Source: Dreams National Sleep Foundation

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IT’S SLEEP SUNDAY – LET’S TALK ABOUT THE BEST HERBAL TEAS TO HELP YOU SLEEP…

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The right cuppa before you go to bed could give you a great night’s sleep and the wrong type of tea the worst night’s sleep. Here are a few great herbal teas to help you sleep. There’s some evidence that our ability to absorb nutrients increases as we sleep, so if you opt for herbal tea with nutritional properties, your body may get some added benefits.

Chamomile – is known for being a natural sedative which is highly recommended for relaxation and for relieving tension. With a smooth flavour that makes it easy to sip on, chamomile tea is one of the most popular tea varieties.

Infinitea sells Soft camomile and sweet apple notes, tempered with light mint. A soothing medley of flavours. Soft camomile and sweet apple notes, tempered with light mint. A soothing medley of flavours. Tea From: Turkey / Albania / Egypt / Bulgaria / South Africa / USA / India Antioxidant Level: High Caffeine Content: None – Caffeine Free Shelf Life: 10 years unopened, 2 years after opening.

HOT BREWING METHOD:

Bring filtered or freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea for each 7-9oz / 200-260ml of fluid volume in the teapot. Pour the boiling water into the teapot. Cover and let steep for 3-7 minutes according to taste (the longer the steeping time the stronger the tea).

Lemon Balm – has an acidic aroma. Using its flowers and leaves to make teas helps one get a deep sleep.

Mint Tea – It contains anti-inflammatories and sedatives, and is a great way to get a better night’s sleep.

Passion Flower and Valerian – Passionflowers contain natural anxiolytics and act as a natural tranquilizer and Valerian is one of the best known natural sedatives. Although its taste is not very pleasant, it induces sleep and reduces nervousness. Valerian root helps to calm stress and anxiety levels, while also reducing blood pressure.

Lavender Tea – Lavender is another herb that has been shown to relieve stress and promote relaxation, making it a soothing addition to many tea and herbal infusions. Lavender tea helps to relax muscles and calm nerves.

Rose Tea – rose petals have been shown to have a potent relaxing effect. It makes a wonderful brew to elevate your mood during the day or calm you down before going to bed.

D’Amazonia Sleep Tea has 14 powerful ingredients to help you achieve a serene night’s sleep. Calm your senses and reduce stress and anxiety with a carefully formulated non-caffeinated blend. 

Improve Sleep And Reduce Anxiety with Rose petals, lavender, chamomile, oat flowering tops, and lemon balm are used to treat anxiety, insomnia, depression and restlessness. D’Amazonia Sleep Tea has 14 powerful ingredients to help you achieve a serene night’s sleep. Calm your senses and reduce stress and anxiety with a carefully formulated non-caffeinated blend. Sleep Tea Functional: – Improve Sleep And Reduce Anxiety – Boost Immune System – Anti-Inflammatory – Aid Weight Loss

Magnolia Tea – Made from the dried bark, buds, and stems of the magnolia plant, magnolia tea is often used as a natural sleep aid in many forms of traditional medicine. The plant contains honokiol and magnolol, two compounds that have sedative effects. Still, more recent research is needed to better evaluate how magnolia tea may affect sleep in humans.

Low Caffeine Green Tea – low caffeine green tea is linked to improved sleep quality, decreased stress, and reduced fatigue, compared with drinking regular green tea. Be sure to choose green tea with low or no caffeine content if you’re planning to drink it close to bedtime.

Turmeric – this contains a high amount of curcumin, a powerful antioxidant that helps with detox, anti-ageing and even cancer, and is also known to induce sleep.

Cinnamon – the benefits of cinnamon tea are not just for sleeping. It’s been shown to regulate blood sugar, promote weight loss, lower cholesterol, boost your immune system, prevent disease, improve digestion, boost brain function, and reduce inflammation.

Source: Healthline, D’Amazonia, Infinitea Sleep Advisor