Insomnia

“No-one functions well when they are short of sleep, as it not only compromises your immune system but can severely affect your day to day performance. Studies have shown that, when it comes to driving, lack of sleep can have almost as dramatic effect as drinking alcohol. Lack of sleep has also been shown to increase inflammation in the body.
Many people, including myself, when absolutely desperate, resort to prescription sleeping pills. the problem can then become chronic and addictive. Hence it’s best to use sleeping pills only on the odd or occasional night - as a preventative to stop the body and brain becoming overtired, which often makes it even harder to get to sleep. In the long term, prescription sleeping pills can affect your memory and upset delicate brain chemistry. It’s worth noting that if you tend to wake regularly between 3 and 5 am, you are likely to be suffering adrenal exhaustion from stress, or if you wake between 1 and 3 am, then it’s likely that your liver is struggling, in which case you need to cut down on fats, coffee and alcohol, and eat lightly for a few days...”

The article continues to describe the foods to avoid and “sleep friendly” foods, together with a list of useful remedies for insomnia and helpful hints. Article reproduced courtesy of the book 500 OF THE MOST IMPORTANT HEALTH TIPS YOU’LL EVER NEED by Hazel Couenay, Cico Books, and available on SPECIAL OFFER to readers of Yoga & Health magazine. Full details on page 21 of the July 2006 issue.