One of my favorite movies of all time is Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas.”
I love the scene where Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney are having a late night snack and singing, “If you’re worried and you can’t sleep, just count your blessings instead of sheep.”
Oh, if only it were that easy for the millions of people who regularly stare at the ceiling at night, or wake up during the night, unable to get back to sleep.
According to the National Center for Sleep Disorders Research at the National Institutes of Health, about 30-40% of adults say they occasionally suffer from insomnia, and about 10-15% say they have chronic insomnia.
Now, lacking adequate sleep comes with a much heftier price than just yawning at your desk the next day.
On the contrary, it can take its toll on your health in these ways:
The health costs of too few Zzzzz’s
1- Swing shift
Shift workers whose hours vary and who lack consistent quality sleep are more prone to accidents on the job and die younger than those with more stable schedules.
2- We’re similar to computers
Your brain is kind of like a “master clock” that coordinates the timing of many of your physiological functions, and just like a computer, it needs to be “restarted” from time to time.
It is during sleep that your brain is “reset” and can properly coordinate your various biological rhythms. This helps your body achieve balance and encourages optimal health.
Poor sleep means this critical balance is upset and sickness, illness and disease is the likely result.
3- Dreams
Dreams are an important component of sleep.
Dreaming occurs mostly during the phase of sleep closest to waking up. This phase is marked by rapid eye movements (REM) so it’s known as REM sleep.
Studies have shown that people who are deprived of REM sleep are prone to irritability, anxiety and depression.
4- Oh my aching back
Many of the problems for which people seek medical care–mental cloudiness, chronic fatigue, joint and muscle aches and fibromyalgia–are actually caused or exacerbated by poor sleep.
5- The whopper…Immune problems
The most serious consequence of lacking sleep is that it greatly hampers your immune system.
Not only does your immune system protect you from the obvious infections and viruses, but it also protects you from disease–and that includes cancer.
Studies show that the consequences of lacking sleep even for ONE night can be serious.
In one study, healthy male volunteers were deprived of four hours of sleep for a single night. The next day, the activity of certain immune cells (natural killer cells) fell by as much as 30%!
But the good news is that the study also showed a single good night’s sleep helped restore the immune cell functioning to near normal again.
Why oh why?
There are many factors that can contribute to you becoming a reluctant watcher of late night infomercials.
Here are some of the most common reasons why you can count sheep till the cows come home and still barely sleep a wink:
Stress
Stress hormones (like adrenaline and cortisol) lower your body’s levels of serotonin and melatonin, which are two important neurotransmitters involved in relaxation and sleep.
Poor digestion
Poor digestion can lead to late night attacks of gas, acid reflux, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting.
Many chronic acid reflux sufferers report regular insomnia as well as having to (try to) sleep either sitting up or propped up on pillows.
Perimenopause and menopause
In the years leading up to and into menopause, many women suffer sleep disturbances including chronic insomnia due to the significant hormonal changes taking place in their bodies.
Hunger
When your body needs nourishment, it needs NOURISHMENT–and it doesn’t care if it’s 2am.
Skipping meals, going to bed hungry and lacking proper nourishment is a great way to make sure you’ll be wide-eyed while it’s still dark.
Not exactly a night cap
Caffeine and alcohol are both common substances to drink in the evening before going to bed.
They also happen to be two of the worst sleep inhibitors.
Is that your final answer?
The solution from the mainstream medical community for insomnia is typically a sleep drug like Lunesta or Ambien.
But these are arguably worse than lacking sleep!
In addition to the possibility of addiction and serious withdrawal when trying to stop the medication, the side effects of Lunesta and Ambien can include:
Dizziness
Difficulty with coordination
Daytime sleepiness (isn’t that what it’s supposed to help AVOID?)
Memory loss
New/worsening depression
Abnormal thoughts
Suicidal ideation
Hallucinations
Confusion
Agitation
Aggressive behavior
Anxiety
And get this–when taking these drugs, people can also do things in a “semi-awake” state and not remember what they did afterward!
People have gotten out of bed and driven vehicles while not fully awake (called “sleep-driving”). They’ve also sleepwalked, prepared and eaten food, made phone calls, or even had sex while not fully awake…and have positively no recollection of it later.
If that doesn’t scare you, I don’t know what will.
Many different causes but just one answer?
The best way to help make sure your nights are filled with restful, rejuvenating sleep is not to just throw your hands in the air and resort to taking a dangerous mood-altering drug.
Instead take a look at what might be causing you to be nocturnal and do something to address the root cause of your sleeplessness!
Here are some very safe, effective measures you can try:
1) De-stress
Although it’s a four-letter word to many, there’s no denying that exercise is numero uno when it comes to relieving stress.
But you don’t need to be the next Jillian Michaels or Tony Horton to engage in regular exercise!
ANY form of exercise will help–pick something you like and do it at least 3-4 times a week.
Other stress relievers include taking up a hobby, adopting a pet, counseling, prayer, meditation, aromatherapy, deep breathing, acupuncture, massage therapy and yoga.
And extremely effective method is reprogramming your mental patterns so that when you want to fall asleep, no matter what time it may be, your inner chatter shuts off, the concerns of the day go away and your mental light bulb shuts off instantly. The program Tranquil Sleep Now has proven to be a miracle for people all around the world.
Try it now and within a few days — and possibly the very first night — you may never have sleep problems ever again. Its function is to turn you into a person who automatically without effort, goes out like a light when you close your eyes to sleep. It’s like a mental sleeping pill. And it works extraordinarily well.
2) Consider bio-identical HRT
Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy has been a godsend for many perimenopausal and fully menopausal women.
In health reports from not only the Journal of the American Medical Association, but also from the Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, Harvard Medical and Stanford University, it’s been stated that bio-identical hormone replacement therapy can have long-term health benefits–including relief from menopausal-related sleep problems!
Unlike potentially dangerous synthetic hormones, your body has an easier time assimilating bio-identical hormones because they are identical in molecular structure to the hormones made by your body.
The catch is most mainstream medical doctors will look at you like you have two heads if you ask them about bio-identical HRT. Fact is, since it’s a holistic therapy, most typical doctors haven’t heard of it or will simply poo-poo it.
Your best bet is to seek out a holistic practitioner to help you.
3) Eat meals that are easily digested
This is the most obvious one of all. The best way to prevent poor digestion and having your sleep disturbed by a wrenching gut is to eat meals that your body can break down easily.
Now before you roll your eyes, hear me out: Eating right does NOT have to mean deprivation, eating bland meals or existing on “rabbit food.”
Not when you use the Great Taste No Pain eating system, or if you have gluten issues, Great Taste No Gluten.
In the Great Taste No Pain and Great Taste No Gluten manuals, I show you how to put together meals that your body can more efficiently break down.
Don’t worry–it’s easy and I spell everything out for you.
The best part about it is everything tastes FANTASTIC! You’ll be shocked that eating for great digestion can taste this delicious.
And you’ll LOVE no longer having to be propped up on pillows or walking the floor all night with your stomach on fire.
4) Enzyme supplementation
Poor digestion can also be the result of inadequate digestive enzymes.
This is especially common in people who take antacids or acid reducers, the elderly or people who have had a poor diet for years or decades.
Many people with digestive problems like acid reflux, gas, constipation and bloating have gotten tremendous relief by giving their body an occasional boost of enzyme help.
If you feel your enzymes need a little helping hand, Digestizol Max is here to help.
Digestizol Max has a feisty, potent blend of 14 plant-derived enzymes which assist your system in breaking down whatever you eat–protein, carbs, sugars, fats and fibers.
That can mean better digestion FAST and more restful sleep for YOU!
5) Magnesium and Vitamin E supplementation
Many people lose sleep from muscle cramps or restless legs.
If that includes you, taking 250 mg. of magnesium at night, plus 400-800 IUs of Vitamin E each day can be a big help.
6) Don’t go to bed hungry
If you usually eat dinner a few hours prior to going to bed, by the time you hit the hay, you’re probably not full but you’re not hungry either…and chances are excellent your body will have enough nutrients for the slumber hours ahead.
On the other hand, if you skip meals and/or go to bed downright STARVING, your body will let you know that you need nutrients no matter what time it is.
Talk about an internal alarm clock!
So if you are truly hungry before you go to bed, a wise choice is to have a whole grain snack. Whole grains will help keep blood sugar levels steady throughout the night and increase serotonin levels in the brain.
7) Stay away from the sleep destroyers
The more you can avoid coffee, soda and alcohol before hitting the sheets, the better your chances of a good night’s sleep.
Your days of being a night owl can finally be over!
If you have occasional poor sleep or even chronic insomnia, don’t think that dangerous, addictive drugs are your only answer.
When you instead take a close look at what may be behind YOUR “night owl syndrome” and do something about it, your restless nights can come finally come to an end!
Ahhh…just imagine a peaceful night’s sleep every single night.
That can be your reality sooner than you think.
To your health,
Sherry Brescia
PS: We’re now on Facebook! Like us here:
– https://www.facebook.com/GreatTasteNoPain.HolisticBlendsInc
PPS: Norman’s sleeping better and has no more acid reflux!
Hi Sherry,
I have tried your Great Taste No Pain plan and found instant relief from acid reflux. I also sleep better and longer, I’ve Iost over one stone in weight and I have more energy.
It has also helped relieve the pain of arthritis in my fingers and made me feel happier as I feel more in control of my wellbeing.
I was given drugs (acid reducers) and told to take them as and when I required them. I was not happy with the purpose of the drug as it stopped the production of acid which was intended to break down my food for digestion. It just did not make any sense at all.
I started searching the internet and came across your website. I have already mentioned to two friends to try your wonderful plan.
Sincere thanks,
Norman E.
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Check out THOUSANDS of Great Taste No Pain success stories here.
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Years of junk foods, meats, alcohol and soft drinks results in a decrease in your body’s ability to produce digestive enzymes. This can result in daily painful gas, bloating, heartburn and constipation no matter how otherwise healthy your diet is! Digestizol Max can help turn that around for you fast. Its effective blend of 14 plant-derived enzymes and soothing herbs will help carry out the job of digestion and keep you feeling great! Learn more about Digestizol Max here.
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