If you’ve ever tried counting sheep (or any farm animal for that fact) to fall asleep, you’re not alone. There are over 40 million Americans with some kind of sleeping disorder. And we can all agree that nothing is worse than looking at your clock every 15 minutes and realizing, “It’s only been 15 minutes?” “And what number was I on?”
Why does sleep elude us so often? For most, it’s stress. That nagging, persistent, never-ending stress that follows you everywhere, even into your bed (bow-chicky-bow-wow!) You know, the kind of stress that’ll make even the strongest man curl up into a ball with his thumb in his mouth all night long. No sleepy, no happy.
Our 24 hour lifestyles has got our brains stuck in overdrive all day long and it won’t stop, even when we’re sleeping. We’re on sensory overload and it shows. Insomnia is now the new normal and Fight Clubs are forming all around the country. Zoloft, Ambien and Lunesta are the modern day Three Amigos and everybody’s friends. A whole generation of people strung out on sleeping pills because they have yet to implement one of their inalienable rights – choice.
Many people have simply given up on the idea that they have choice. They allow themselves to become involved in “checkout line news.” Does anybody still care (or have they ever really?) about what Brittany Spears is up to these days? Or about how many celebrities got fat, then skinny, then fat again, and finally got skinny again? This kind of trash really does accumulate in your mind, and if you act like you care, it starts to affect your emotions and you get sucked in, caring about a whole new stress all while waiting to pay for your groceries. Just pay for your food and get the hell out of there!
The news is another stressful thing that we tend to obsess about. “Hmm…what’s going on in the world today?” Pretty much the same thing as yesterday…and the day before that. Some good stuff, which is buried somewhere on page 7 of section G where you’ll never find it, and some bad stuff, well, pretty much everywhere else. No doubt looking at that kind of negativity everyday will make you a basket care really fast! All for what? So that you can be the life of the party when the discussion shifts to world events (which, by the way, rarely happens)? Or just in case Jeopardy comes a knockin’ on yer door? “I’ll take ‘I don’t give a crap’ for $400, Alex.’” There is really no reason the carry the weight of the worlds problems on your mind everyday, because that’s the kind of stress that’ll definitely keep you from dreamland.
As we look for a way out of this sleepless lifestyle, prescription and over the counter drugs are leading the way towards the promise land, I mean, dream land. The allure of sleep has tens of millions of people emptying their pockets for pills that will have them addicted in no time! Well, it ’s time to put the Three Amigos down and look for 3 new buddies.
Contrary to popular belief, there actually are some natural supplements that can help you get a good nights sleep without pumping yourself up with harsh, addictive chemicals. Let’s take a look at my 3 favorite natural sleep aides.
1. Your first new buddy is the supplement ZMA. It’s a combination of the minerals zinc and magnesium which are minerals that are frequently depleted due to our stressful lifestyles. The first time I took this supplement I think I only counted like 7 or 8 sheep…I felt great the next morning! Nothing beats going to bed and waking up refreshed, feeling like you actually slept. And not only is this supplement effective, it’s also pretty cheap.
2. Your other new friend is Valerian Root. This non-addictive herb has sedative properties and has been used to treat sleep disorders for centuries. It’s been known to decrease anxiety and nighttime awakenings, improve the quality of your sleep, all without the common side effects of common sleeping aides.
This supplement actually has several ways that you can apply it. You can take Valerian Root either in a capsule, as a tea, or by soaking in a tub with essential oil extract. If you have the time, the tub is the way to go since you also get the relaxing benefits of the warm water. Just be careful not to fall asleep in the tub!
3. The last of your new friends has actually been a friend of yours (probably) for years, you just usually forget about him. When was the last time you two hung out? Probably on Thanksgiving. Remember now? Thats right, tryptophan! You’re ol’ buddy misses you. Did you forget about all those great times you had together? Turkey filled bellies and unbuckled belts. What memories. Well, it’s time to get reacquainted!
This naturally occurring amino acid will undergo some chemical alterations and end up as Melatonin, another common sleep aide with a long history of treating sleeping problems itself. As well, one of the most common side effects of tryptophan is also one of it’s most beneficial for those of you having a hard time to sleep – drowsiness. Go figure, you’re actually taking something for it’s side-effects.
I know, it’s hard to make new friends. But you don’t want to hang out with friends that aren’t good for you and don’t play fair. And that’s just what prescription and over the counter sleep aides are – addictive and unhealthy. While these supplements will take several weeks to reach their full strength, they’re definitely worth the wait.
Mandatory disclaimer here –> As with all medications and supplements, check with your doctor before you take them and always follow the recommended doses. Take care, and good night…
DR Fitness – “Get Your Fitness On!”
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