Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Tips for Enhancing that Wonderful Thing Called Sleep

 
A warm glass of milk before bed is always a calming means to close the end of a busy day. The soothing, warm beverage helps to ease the mind and body for rest. Even if not a milk fan, the notion of something warm before bedtime is certainly worth the effort in order to promote optimal rest. According to the national Sleep Foundation, as much as 64 percent of American adults experience sleep difficulties. That warm glass is sounding more and more appealing.
 
Judith Fertig, contributing author for Natural Awakenings Magazine mentions a concept called “sleep hygiene” in her article, Sleep Aides versus Sleep Sappers. The room temperature, amount of light in the bedroom, fluffiness of the mattress or bed pillow to what dinner consisted of all factor into the quality or lack of quality rest we will receive that night. 
 
Neuropathic physician with Seattle’s Bastyr University, Jamie Corroon suggests staying away from spicy foods, nightcaps (alcoholic beverages) and caffeine. 
 
“Caffeine’s stimulant effect peaks in about one hour and then declines as the liver breaks it down. So, if you go to bed by 11 p.m., you’ll have to stop your caffeine intake by 2 or 3 p.m. to avoid insomnia,” advises registered dietician, Joy Bauer.
 
What are recommended by physicians and neuropaths are nuts and juices, an assemblance of herbs, in tea form or supplement form, a complex carbohydrate of 200 calories or less as a bedtime snack  and of course a warm glass of milk. 
 
Janet Stone, a Registered Nurse working with patients receiving colonoscopy/endoscopy care agrees that a warm, milky beverage is certainly a great sleep aide for the patients she cares for. “We always ensure our patients are calm and relaxed prior to any scheduled procedure. The warm liquid resonates with sleep as most patients drank milk as infants before bed, so that fond memory is reintroduced.”

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