The Natural Sleep Aid Blog

It is a great feeling to be greeted with at the door with jumps of joy and wet, sloppy licks, as any dog owner knows. Pets are a great source of joy and responsibility. They have a way to lighten up spirits and bring on calmness. Recent studies have reinforced the fact that having a pet is a great way to control mild to moderate symptoms of depression as well as improve overall health.

The reasons as to why research shows that pets are good for your health are many. Some the reasons will be outlined below.

Pets help lower blood pressure. Doctors have discovered that engaging in the simple act of petting an animal helps lower blood pressure in individuals. This can be contributed to the fact that petting an animal relieves stress and brings on a feeling of calmness.

Pets can improve both the mental and physical health of people. Mental health can be improved because pets always have unconditional love for their owner. No matter what the situation, pets will be loyal to their owner. Pets also offer companionship and a sense of responsibility. Having to take care of more than oneself, pet owners have to address the needs of another being as well. This can increase the outlook for someone with depression.

Physical health is increased too as pet owners often get exercise that they might not have otherwise gotten. Taking the dog outside to get fresh air on a walk often means that the owner gets exercise too. Obese people with pets are often able to drops pounds without weight pills or a diet pill. This increased level of physical activity can even help obese people lose weight, and get better sleep at night without using sleep aids.

Supported with statistical data, turning back the clock one hour this weekend may reduce the number of heart attacks Americans will suffer in the following week.  As covered on the Today Show, studies conducted by Swedish researchers point out the fact that there are approximately 5% fewer heart attacks on the Monday following the gain in an additional hour of sleep.

Sleep is a vital event that is necessary for our bodies to be healthy. Depriving ourselves of sleep takes a toll on our overall health.  More than just bags under our eyes, sleep deprivation also takes a toll on our systems. Everything from a weakened immune system to compromised cardiovascular systems, our bodies pay the price. While it may be difficult to always obtain the optimal 8 hours of sleep each night, there are many sleep aids that can help.  Natural sleep aids and store bought sleep aids are not treated equal though. Be aware of anything that can be addiction forming.

Sleep deprivation and reaction time  also have a strong correlation.  Studies show that the deprivation of sleep dramatically reduces our alertness and slows down our reaction time. There is nothing worse than a sleep deprived driver. Take these statistics for example, in 1998, 24,318 deaths were cited from accidents related to sleep deprivation in the US. There were as well 2,474,430 disabling injuries resulting from accidents where decreased mental efficiency and attentiveness due to sleep loss as the major causative factor (Health Guidance).  (more…)

I’m sure many of you are familiar with the sleep disorder insomnia and probably have faced it at one point in your life.  Insomnia can be brief or extended periods of time in which you are unable to fall or stay asleep.  Millions of Americans suffer from this condition and often find that their health starts to deteriorate when left untreated.  The amount of sleep an individual needs varies from person to person but on average is about 8 hours each night. 

The most common reasons one can suffer from this disorder are poor health or increased stress.  If not acknowledged and dealt with properly many problems begin to arise such as lack of energy, work or relationship issues, a decline in health, increased stress levels, or the likelihood of an accident.  Sleep is not an option for the body, it is absolutely vital.  Not treating this disorder can become very dangerous to your health.

There are many methods of approaching insomnia and some that make the situation worse such as habit forming drugs.  They may help you fall asleep but without them the body begins to rely solely on the drug in order for the natural sleep cycle to take place.  Sleeping pills can be very addictive and can disrupt other things in the body in the process of trying to treat the condition.  However, more and more people are turning to healthier alternatives to get the rest they desire each night. 

Natural remedies are becoming well-liked because many people are getting the relief they need to establish proper sleeping habits.  Some of the more universal solutions are an assortment of herbs that may be taken in pill or tea form shortly before bed.  Beginning an exercise program helps with total mind and body rejuvenation and people find when they are active during the day it helps to wind them down at night.  Decreasing the amount of caffeine in your diet is sometimes the last thing we become conscious of when it comes to treating insomnia, switching to decaffeinated beverages can be beneficial to the quality of your rest.

Lastly, my favorite alternative is a natural formula that I have found works wonders called Liporid Pm.  It gently winds the body down and gives you a feeling of tranquility while you sleep.  This is the perfect formula of vitamins, minerals and herbs to help facilitate sleep and it helps to increase metabolism and fat reduction in the process.  Many people have had great success with it and are pleasantly surprised when they shed unwanted pounds.  As with most alternative treatments, Liporid Pm is non-habit forming and can be used for as long as you like.

Without proper sleep we are unable to perform to the best of our ability.  Recognizing the source of insomnia is just as imperative as treating it.  If you know what is causing your lack of sleep do what you can to resolve it immediately.