Celebrating Men, Satisfying Women

More On Sleep

More on Sleep – a priceless commodity

Again I certainly recommend good sleep hygiene, (put link in to last weeks newsletter) yet if we have something going on biologically, then our time supine may not fill up our tanks.

Biological causes of sleep deprivation

In general, sex steroids play a role in the etiology of sleep disorders in women, either by having a direct effect on sleep processes or through their effect on mood and emotional state. Progesterone is a major player!

Progesterone actually impacts the brain (GABA) receptors and creates a natural hypnotic effect. Fluctuations of progesterone levels around ovulation and menstruation may cause either excessive daytime sleepiness or may create disturbed sleep / insomnia. Prescription drugs that are known to work on the same area of the brain are a class of drugs known as Benozodiazepenes. Drugs such as Xanax, Valium, Halcyon and Klonipin may work to get us to relax and even induce sleep, yet nothing is quite a good as what Mother Nature created.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/132984/sleeping_disorders_and_the_progesterone.html

Priceless commodity- depleted.

As we progress through the life span and our hormone levels shift we see an even greater decline in this priceless commodity called Sleep.

• Physical and hormonal changes take place that make sleep lighter and less sound. Women older than 40 years are 1.3 times more likely than age-matched men to report insomnia.

   

• In the years surrounding menopause, sleep disturbances occur with increased frequency. Women take longer to fall asleep, wake up more often at night, and are more tired during the day. Hot flashes and night sweats, associated with decreased levels of estrogen, may contribute to midsleep awakenings. For some who have progesterone deficiency the complaints are often waking between 2 am and 4 am or waking with incredible morning sluggishness.

   

• During postmenopausal years, sleep efficiency further decreases, and waking after sleep onset increases. Factors affecting sleep during this period include pain, certain medical and emotional conditions, and physical discomfort. http://www.emedicine.com/NEURO/topic656.htm

   

Additional solutions for sleep

There are plenty of Prescription /over the counter drugs that can “knock you out” & get you supine, yet may often result in even less quality sleep. Some natural solutions you can try while treating the underlying biological issues are:

• A warm bath or shower

   

• Chamomile or Sleepy Time tea

   

• Empty your brain- if you wake up in the middle of the night, get out of bed, do a “mindless” activity like folding laundry. In other words, reading a book may not help you get back to sleep. Thanks to Mission Control (http://www.productivity21.com/Mission_Control.htm) I use a little digital recorder to empty all the thoughts that pop into my head. Whether it’s a to do now or later it’s out of my head. During the day it allows me to be and at night it allows me to go back to sleep. I keep it right next to my bed. If you don’t have a recorder, a pen and paper may be worth a try.

   

• Calmplex is an incredible homeopathic that I have used and recommended for years. If the tips I’ve recommended just are not getting me to sleep, two little tablets work like magic! https://secure.unicity.net/unicityusa/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=187&pid=5672967889737304119

   

https://secure.unicity.net/unicityusa/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?OwnerID=16362301&Country=USA&LNG=eng&Theme=Default&Additem=18938 
 

The most important point I want to leave you with is that sleep is such a priceless commodity to fuel our natural feminine forms of power and help us be our best selves, that we must do whatever we can to do to gift ourselves a good night’s sleep!

To peaceful, restorative slumber and primed tanks to be your best self!!

Fondly,

Lori