Tag: Stresses

Natural Therapy For Relief From Insomnia

Insomnia! Talk about an awful condition to be suffering from. Having a difficult time falling asleep or staying asleep happens to all of us on occasion, but when the problem doesn’t go away or impacts life in a negative way, then getting it treated is a good idea. Natural therapy to relieve insomnia is often an ideal choice because you don’t have to worry about relying on drugs, or getting addicted to them.

Just to be clear, if your doctor has already prescribed something, you should continue taking it unless they advise you otherwise. Stopping medication without proper oversight can lead to even bigger problems.

Meditation is one of the most natural ways to relax and get a good night of restful sleep. Try anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes of meditation just prior to bedtime. You will not only rid yourself of some of the stresses of the day, but you will also be putting your body into sleep mode. You can learn how to meditate on your own, or you can choose from any number of guided meditations for sleep.

Many people have found that aromatherapy is useful tool for drifting off to sleep. Essential oils such as sandalwood and eucalyptus produce a calming effect that can relieve your insomnia. You can add it to warm bathwater shortly before bed, or put a few drops on a handkerchief that you place under your pillow. The key is to enjoy the aroma, but to not have it so strong that it becomes distracting. You can also combine aromatherapy and meditation for a one-two punch that will have you sleeping like a baby.

If you aren’t lactose intolerant, then you may try a glass of warm milk. Your grandparents probably used this remedy, and for good reason. Food and beverage plays a major role in your ability to sleep. Avoiding eating a heavy meal too close to bedtime, and don’t eat anything that may give you heartburn. Many people like to have a bit of alcohol prior to retiring, but having a nightcap will actually contribute to sleeplessness. It’s also a good idea to not drink too much water in the evening; otherwise you may have to get up in the middle of the night to relieve yourself.

There are a few natural supplements that have been shown to help people beat insomnia. Valerian root seems to work by relaxing the central nervous system. Melatonin is naturally produced by your body, but it can also be purchased as a supplement. Melatonin is one of the most important chemicals for falling asleep, and a natural supplement of it may be just what you need.

Having a regular schedule for sleeping will get your body used to falling asleep at a certain time. Be sure that you only use the bedroom for sleeping (no television, no eating, etc.), and that it is at a comfortable temperature. Combine these things with natural therapy to relieve insomnia and you will ultimately get a good night’s sleep.

Healthier Body Comes When You Better Your Brains Power!

The human brain is a multifaceted organization of cells and around fifty million neurons that work with utmost complexity in order to keep you going healthy and strong. It is believed to be five times bigger than an average brain of a mammal with the same body size. In human beings, the frontal lobes and the forebrain are especially expanded since these parts are the ones responsible for self-control, planning and reasoning. Thus, in order for you to have a stronger and healthier body, try to better you brain. Healthier mind means healthier body.

It is during our childhood, or the early stage of our lifespan that the development of the brain and the central nervous system is critical. As we grow older, the bodys capacity to absorb nutrients is weakened. Thus, it becomes more difficult for us to protect ourselves from illnesses, injuries and stresses. Simultaneously with our aging process, we also lose neurons, or commonly called as the brain cells. Unlike the other body cells, the neurons do not regenerate nor do they replicate; and they do not have the capacity to repair themselves. Because of this, our brain is not able to perform as well as when we were younger.

Thus, in order to keep our brains performing well, we have to follow some dos and donts. This way we can help our brain maintain its fitness and strength.

What to do:

See to it that you exercise regularly and that you engage yourself in physical activities that can help you maintain your vitality.

Your mind is exercised more if you participate in active learning. Try new experiences so that you can learn from such experiences firsthand.

Maintain your social life as well. Do not isolate yourself from your social groups; instead, you should keep in touch with each of them. A happier life would mean a healthier life.

You should always be in control of your life. Do not feel as if you have no power over things. Maintain a positive self-image and a positive outlook on life.

Do not be overwhelmed by stress. You should know how to handle them all.

A balanced diet will definitely keep you healthy. So, as much as possible, you should eat a balanced meal and foods that are rich in antioxidants and vitamins.

You should get enough rest and sleep. Professionals believe that you should sleep for at least six to eight hours a day.

If you have any health problems, you should give attention to them as early as possible. Never take your health for granted.

What not to do:

Avoid drinking excessive alcohol and smoking too much cigarette. Also, do not do illegal drugs!

Never forget to inform your doctor of your mental condition. Important changes should always be reported.

Do not miss a visit to your doctor when these changes occur.

Never self-medicate because some drugs may interact negatively with your mental status, especially if you are taking more than one drug.

Do not live alone by isolating yourself from the others.

Never stop yourself from experiencing new things.

Most importantly is the fact that in order for you to have a healthy mind, you need to always have a positive attitude. Be ready to face all the challenges that life may bring, and never lose hope! Be in command of your life. Better your brain by having a better attitude about life.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Coping Techniques

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, like all chronic illnesses, poses a host of stresses that patients have to suffer from. Among the most common are the loss of life roles, ongoing medical expenses, loss of job or source of income, confusing symptoms, and constant medical check-ups with healthcare professionals who sometimes do not fully understand the condition.

With these stresses, it is very important for patients to know how to cope. Coping is integral to the management of the disorder and to some extent recovery from the syndrome. Presented below are some coping techniques that may not only help you deal with the disorder better but can also free you from some of the discomforts it could give.

Establish a positive understanding of the disease. It is not only important to know the nature of the fatigue and its accompanying symptoms but it is also vital that the patient knows how to positively deal with them. Establishing a positive concept regarding CFS is known to help patients respond to the symptoms better and facilitate self-regulatory techniques much more effectively. This is the crux of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a psychological therapy that brings about relief from symptoms by way of establishing a good outlook with respect to the condition.

Avoid excessive resting It is natural to rest whenever one feels extremely fatigued. However, the reverse is often the more effective technique. Stop the urge of resting as this could debilitate your condition further. Instead, try to incorporate minor activities into your daily life which may include low levels of activities at first.

Then, progress to higher intensity activities, according to what level your body can afford. Do not overexert yourself though as this can also have damaging effects. When in doubt, consult your health care professional, he can recommend therapy options like graded exercise therapy.

Manage your daily activities Limit your activities according to a well-defined plan. Most patients limit their activities according to the particular activities they can perform in a day. This is counter-productive and should not be done at all costs. The key is to have a consistent pattern of activities that progresses according to the levels of difficulty and required physical exertion. Try to attain a balance between stress, physical exertion and rest.

Dont focus on the symptoms It is not uncommon for people to nurse the symptoms of their disease. Despite the fact that this is not helpful, patients still persist with this attitude. Among people who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome, nursing their pains and aches only lead to higher sensitivities to both as well as to disengagement. Disengagement is an attitude of surrendering in the face of inconvenient experiences (stressors) when they seem too overwhelming.

Hence, disengagement is a poor coping mechanism. Patients of CFS are advised not to give too much emphasis on the pains instead, they are recommended to live with them and conquer the urge of giving up.

Avoid the pitfalls of coping Most patients fail not because the treatment and therapy they have undergone are not effective but because they try to rush back to their lives prior to the onset of the condition. It is important to understand that chronic fatigue syndrome is a disorder that cannot be remedied immediately.

It takes time and patience to progress from one stage of the disorder to another. Most patients who try to achieve immediate relief from symptoms often find themselves rebounding to square one, that is to the stage where the syndrome is most severe.