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Insomnia: how to improve your sleep - McDowell's Herbal Treatments

Insomnia means having trouble with the quality or quantity of sleep. It can be caused by difficulties in either falling asleep or staying asleep. The concept of 'a good sleep' differs widely from person to person...

Depressed woman awake in the night, she is exhausted and suffering from insomnia

While the average night's sleep for an adult is around seven or eight hours, some people only need four, while others like up to ten hours or more. What seems like insomnia to one person might be considered a good sleep by another!

When suffering from anxiety, depression, over-reactive or feeling tight and stressed one needs to consciously focus more on 'Blissors not stressors', and address each one of the following areas to achieve a more balanced and happy life.

  • Stress Management- yoga , breathing, meditation,
  • Exercise- Gentle daily stretches and regular movement.
  • Nutrition - Eat whole, unprocessed foods with low GI
  • Social/Spiritual - friends, family, beliefs and philosophies.
  • Education - follow up with new and ongoing interests and become motivated in learning

If the conditions you suffer from are more serious or not alleviated by your individual efforts then maybe some of our support mixes can assist.

People who suffer from insomnia are normally frustrated or annoyed by it. Paradoxically, this emotional state contributes to keeping them awake. It helps to stop demanding a set amount of sleep every night. Having less sleep than you'd like doesn't cause any harm. Allow yourself to fall short of the ideal without getting anxious about it.

Home remedies for transient insomnia reducing anxiety and sticking to a day-night routine can improve sleep quality.

Suggestions to assist sleep:

  • Don't nap during the day
  • Cut down on alcohol
  • Avoid tea, coffee and other caffeinated drinks before bed
  • Don't exercise strenuously before bed-time.
  • Do something to relax, such as meditate or have a warm bath.
  • Only go to bed if you feel sleepy
  • Drink calming and nourishing herbal teas like chamomile
  • Remove electronic devices like televisions and digital clocks from the bedroom
  • Ensure the room is not too hot
  • Use McDowells herbs during day and before bed
  • Rub on, or diffuse, an essential oil like lavendar
  • Make the room dark
  • Stop reading, worrying or watching television in bed
  • Limit your activities in the bedroom to sleeping and intimacy

If you can't sleep:

  • Get up, go to another room and do something else until you feel sleepy again
  • Get up at the same time every morning, regardless of how much sleep you have had.
  • Avoid 'judging' your sleep on a day-to-day basis.

Causes can include:-

  • Anxiety
  • Pain
  • Caffeine
  • Alcohol depression
  • Hypoglycaemia

McDowells Products

Insomnia Mix
A mix to aid in sleeping by supporting circulation and de-stressing. It uses homeopathic remedies to try to allow the attention to relax and let them sleep. This mix contains Passionflower, Valerian, Liquorice, Hops, Zizyphus, Withania. Bach's:- White Chestnut, Honeysuckle

Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is a popular herbal remedy for sleep. It has a calming effect on the body and can help to reduce anxiety and stress, making it easier to fall asleep.

Herbanica Snoozeze
Contains herbs traditionally used to promote sleep, to ease sleeplessness and to ease restlessness. It is proudly made in Australia with Australian Grown Herbs

Have a question? Contact McDowell's Herbal Treatments

McDowell's staff Herbalists can not diagnose your disease or illness. What they can do is offer a herbal program to assist with healing, after you have had advice from your doctor or specialist. If you have unexplained pain or symptoms, seek medical advice.

EMAIL info@mcdowellsherbal.com  |  PHONE 02 6331 3937  |  INTERNATIONAL +61 2 6331 3937