We were all raised to believe we needed sufficient “Beauty Sleep” – well not only does lack of sleep affect our looks it also has a big effect on our health. 

Most people fall into one of four categories:

-Difficulty falling asleep

-Waking up often during the night and having trouble going back to sleep

-Waking up early in the morning

-Feeling tired upon waking

If you fall into any of the above categories, don’t despair. Most people admit to not sleeping well. Decreased sleep or insufficient sleep has been linked to Heart Disease, Cancer, Diabetes, and Obesity. It is also a major contributor to psychological problems, hospitalizations, and decreased work efficiency. Other problems include problems  with the nervous system, cardiovascular system, and hormonal balancing.

Here are some recommendations to help you fall asleep at night.

-       Eliminate caffeine – although caffeine helps, it is a drug and has an addictive effect when consuming it on a daily basis. Caffeine the stimulant is also found in coffee, tea (all forms), chocolate, certain herbs (guarana, kola nut) and many beverages.

-       Avoid all drugs – Nicotine, alcohol, and stimulants used for ADD etc. can play a huge role in the ability to sleep. Ask your doctor for a list of side effects for any medications you may take.

-       Food sensitivities – Certain foods have been shown to impact the ability to fall asleep. If you suspect food allergies as the culprit, ask your doctor if you can be tested for the E.L.I.S.A. so you can be on your way to a good nights sleep.

-       Take the TV out of the bedroom – Record your program and watch it earlier in the evening – many of us fight sleep to see the end of a program

-       Increase your activity – Don’t exercise too close to your bedtime, but increase your activity/exercise and you will see remarkable changes in your sleep after about 4 weeks.

FWO – ForWomenOnline.com