Falling Asleep the Natural Way

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep problems. That’s nearly 20 percent of all Americans that aren’t getting adequate amount of sleep. Sleep is an important part of living a healthy life. Without sleep, our bodies fail to reach their full potential each day.

There are numerous methods to facilitate sleep that do not involve an over-the- counter medication. The most important key is relaxation. One way of getting our body prepared for rest is doing about 10 to 15 minutes of simple yoga poses such as shoulder rolls, neck rolls and arm and back stretches that help muscles unwind and alleviate tension within that may prevent us from sleeping. Gentle breathing exercises right before bed can help relax the mind and body as we try to sleep.

Cutting caffeine intake can help, too, because stimulants such as coffee keep the body wired throughout the day. The tossing and turning we do at times may result from these stimulants that are left in the body. Instead of caffeine, try the extracts of natural plants such as wild lettuce, hops and valerian, which will calm us.

Anxiety may prevent us from sleeping, as well. With so much stress in the world, the misery of it all might be the very thing that fails us when we seek rest. Try using meditation and massage techniques to calm these anxieties before bed. Also remember that a new day can bring new possibilities. No matter what occurred during the past day, a new, clear day with proper sleep can guide us toward a better path.

Joseph Quiroz is a contributing writer for Natural Awakenings magazine.