Ways to Help Eliminate Stress - Sleep (Part 3)

A full night's sleep equals less insomnia, that happens two ways: just the fact of moving your body tires your body out and working out also reduces stress hormones and anxiety. Sleep is anti-inflammatory, a time of healing when cortisol levels are at their lowest, getting enough sleep will keep your best coping skills present.

A healthy habit for mild depression is to get enough sleep; and that includes a restful, continuous sleep and preferably not drug induced with sleep aides, there are some teas and herbs that you can use to assist in getting to sleep but just the preparation for getting regular sleep is the true key.

It is said that after eating whole foods and moving your body, getting enough sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Do not forget this is a life and death situation, AND you can take the actions to make your body function better for you.

So let's look at the other side, sleep deprivation, it can make you fat, can lead to depression, pain, heart disease, diabetes, stress and any of inflammation conditions we have talked about in other articles.

When you are sleep deprived your cortisol rises and then so do all of the harmful effects including weight gain, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, depressed immunity, brain damage, stress, dementia; and I know this all sounds kind of scary, and the good thing is you are in control of getting and keeping this in proper working order, by eating healthy foods, breathing correctly, exercising, moderate your stressful activities and take care of yourself and your body.

Start monitoring the time before you go to bed, create a bedtime ritual so your body will know when it is time to wind down, make it a point to go to bed and get up at the same time; have your bedroom a sanctuary; avoid any kind of caffeine at least 4 hours prior to bedtime, this will vary per individual and you may have to experiment with what works for you; laugh and avoid all challenging conversations prior to bedtime; avoid alcohol, it does help you to sleep, but it is not the restful kind of sleep; take a hot bath with Epson salt/soda and essential oils soak for at least 20 minutes and then go right to bed; then there are other things like melatonin, warm milk, herbal therapies; relaxing CD's; the main idea is to take action to make your bedtime one of peace and tranquility.

Thought for the day: "The faster you rush, the farther you push yourself from what you are truly trying to reach." –Alan Cohen"

My life is a work in progress; my current passion is health and wellness in the arena of organic food, holistic health, natural wellness and sharing information with the physically challenged. I reside in my own personal wellness center retreat and sanctuary in California and this affords me to bring to you my wisdom, knowledge and spiritual self in my writings Darlene Siddons Spirited Boutique