Sleep is an essential component of our life. After having a good sleep when we wake up how is the experience we all know. But we might not have thought about the reason behind this refreshing feeling after a sleep. Various healthy mechanisms take place while we are sleeping. That is why we feel fresh after a good sleep. Those healthy mechanisms are given below.
1. Because of our active life style during day time the stress hormone levels used to be very high. This adds to the fatigue of our body and mind causing degeneration of cells of our body. During sleep this stress hormone level is reduced thus producing reverse effect and thereby restore relaxed feeling.
2. Our body produces extra protein molecules when we are sleeping. Thus the cellular damage caused by infection, stress, exertion, emotional alteration is repaired.
3. During sleep the blood pressure and cholesterol levels are lower. Hence contributes to a healthy heart.
4. A disturbed, dreamy, unrefreshing sleep often makes our life miserable. It leaves us in a confused state with lack of concentration at work. While a dreamless sound sleep improves our memory and concentration.
5. The most surprising fact regarding sleep is that improper sleep causes obesity. The study shows that if we are deprived of sleep it alters the hormones responsible for appetite and brings increased appetite. Thus it brings obesity.
Some sleep disorders: Insomnia (lack of sleep), sleep talking, sleep walking, disturbed sleep, apnoea, etc.
How much sleep an individual needs daily?
Average of 7 to 8 hours of sleep is essential for a healthy life.
Tips for good sleep;
1. Maintain a regular schedule for sleep. Go to bed at same time at night and get up in the morning at same time daily. It will fix the biological clock accordingly.
2. Stop the day time naps.
3. Do not take tea, coffee like beverages in the evening.
4. Do not drink alcohol before going to bed.
5. Do not exercise before going to bed. However daily morning exercise of at least 30 minutes will give you good sleep.
6. Studies show that keeping the hands and feet warm in a cold bed room induces good sleep.
7. Don’t watch TV before bed time. Watching tele-vision stimulates the brain. Hence it keeps the mind active and thus delays sleep.
8. Listen to soothing and mild music. It calms the mind in many persons.
9. Don’t drink any liquid before 2 hours of going to bed.This will prevent from making you get up at night for urination.
10. Our Gall Bladder releases toxins in between 11 p.m and 2 a.m. If during that time you are awake then the toxins will be re-enter the liver and undergo secondary re-cycle. Thus the health system is disturbed. Hence it is always good to sleep in early hours of night.
11. Sleep in a complete dark room.
12. If you do not get sleep then you can follow a breathing exercise as follow.
Lie on bed. Relax your body completely. Feel as if your body has become weight -less. Take a deep breath, hold for some seconds then leave through nose only without opening mouth. Repeat this process for 15 times.
ADHD and sleep disorder-Recent study shows that there is link between childhood ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactive disorder) and sleep disorders in adolescence. Around 17% of ADHD children develops nightmare and 11% of ADHD develops snoring in adult age. Hence the hyperactive kids should not be neglected.
Sleep disorders are usually due to physical or psychological problems. By proper homoeopathic medication it can be cured off.
Some Homeopathic remedies for sleep disorders.
Sleeplessness due to sudden shock, fear, excitement with restlessness- Aconite nap
Sleeplessness because of an upcoming event such as examination, interview etc.-Argentum nit.
Sleeplessness caused by over exertion of body or mind- Arnica mont
Sleeplessness in alcoholics- Avena sativa
Sleeplessness after mid night from anxiety- Belladona
Sleeplessness and restlessness in the first part of night. Gets up and walks- Chamomilla
Sleeplessness after happy news, pleasant surprises-Coffea cruda
Child wakes up at night and plays- Cypripedium pub
Wakes up about 2 a.m and can’t sleep again- Kali carb
Wakes up about 4 a.m and ca can’t sleep again- Lyco
Sleeplessness due to grief of past unpleasant event- Nat mur
Insomnia of smokers- Plantago
In homeopathy only symptomatically given medicines do not bring lasting relief however the miasmatic dyscrasia has to be removed by administration of proper anti miasmatic remedies at suitable interval.
N.B-It is always advisable to take medicine after consulting a qualified homeopath.