Do you find yourself trying to “burn the candle at both ends”? I keep adding to my to do list, going to bed later, and getting up earlier, trying to complete it. That works for about two days, then it catches up with me. Lack of sleep doesn’t just make your tired or unable to function, it affects your health.
Sleep deprivation can :
Affect metabolism and hormone production (weight gain)
Accelerate aging (who want’s that?)
Increase the severity of chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and memory loss.
AND, if that’s not enough to get your attention, it leaves you haggard looking with bags under your eyes and in a brain fog.
So what choices do we have? Over the counter or prescription medications that can have serious side affects, and really only treat the problems and not the cause?
Or, we can try a few simple solutions that change our sleeping habits, and head to our gardens for a more natural solution.
Sleep in complete darkness.
Go to bed at around the same time each night
Unplug from your television, computers, and cell phones.
Keep your bedroom for sleeping. Make it comfortable and inviting. Clean up the clutter.
Try some of these natural solutions to help you catch some ZZZ’s.
Herbal Teas such as Chamomile, skullcap, passionflower, hops, and lemon balm are known to quiet the mind, and prepare you for a good nights sleep. You can use a commercial blend, or create your own. You can purchase your own empty teabags at most green grocery stores, or place the herbs in a tea ball. Steep in hot water about five minutes and drink about 30 minutes before bedtime.
Herbal baths using bath salts or Epsom salts can soothe tired muscles and create a fragrant and relaxing bedtime ritual.
Create your own with this recipe:
1 cup Rosemary
1 cup Lavender
1 cup Chamomile
1/2 cup Thyme
1/2 Rose Geranium
Mix all ingredients and store in an airtight container. Mix in bath salts, Epsom salts, Kaolin Clay (skin softening ), baking soda, and lavender essential oil. (all or any combination). Place in a muslin bag and drop in the running water. You can also buy the large tea bags which you fill and press closed with an iron.
Linen Spray:
Spritz your sheets before going to bed with linen water made from bottled water and lavender essential oil. Mix 1/4 teaspoon with 8 ounces of water. If you want, you can add a little vodka as a preservative.
Sweet dreams.
Karen
cvantassel says
Yes! I have a lavender essential oil linen spray and I also diffuse it at night sometimes- perfect for sleep deprivation.
It is amazing how much lack of sleep really will catch up to you!