HEALTH REPORT
Sleep Better Tonight
Insomnia can be a real nightmare. So, what can you do? Homeopath Susan Gianevsky has easy and effective advice.
Sleep problems can take three forms: (1) you toss and turn instead of falling asleep; (2) you fall asleep but wake repeatedly during the night; or (3) you wake up far too early and can’t get back to sleep again. Whatever your form of sleep deprivation is, you will feel groggy and irritable the next day. It can also become a habit, which is even harder to overcome, and can have more detrimental ramifications on your health, because it means your mind and body are not being given downtime to rejuvenate. What’s wrong? The most common triggers for insomnia are emotional stress and depression. Other reasons for poor sleep include pain or illness, some medications (notably decongestants, diuretics, steroids and beta-blockers), eating a heavy meal late at night, drinking too much coffee or alcohol close to bedtime, over- exposure to screens, a too-hot or too-cold room temperature, or simply trying to sleep in an unfamiliar bed. I always recommend to my clients that they first address their emotional state when searching for remedies that may provide a healthful sleep and support the body’s natural circadian rhythm. Herbal remedies and nutritional supplements can calm
that help to reduce feelings of stress, mild anxiety and worry, and they can also relieve sleeplessness. When choosing Bach Flowers, I recommend you ensure that they have the original Dr Bach potency certification, to ensure high quality products. Bach Flower remedies help to improve sleep by relieving feelings of overwhelm, fear, agitation and unwanted negative thoughts, all of which prevent you from winding down and stilling your mind, so you can get a good night’s rest. Susan Gianevsky holds qualifications in education and natural medicine, specialising in homeopathy.
Tried and True Sleep Tips
• Turn off all devices at least 30 minutes prior to bed. Technology can suppress the release of melatonin, the sleep hormone which interferes with rest. • Exercise regularly, and in daylight where possible. Exercise and exposure to fresh air and sunshine both decrease feelings of stress and mild anxiety and help contribute to a restful night’s sleep. • Limit caffeinated drinks after 4 pm and avoid spicy food, alcohol, cigarettes and sugar at least three
hours before bedtime. • Write in your journal
every evening to get all the problems that are upsetting you out of your head and down onto paper.
• Embrace gentle Bach Flower remedies to support your emotional health and relieve the worrying thoughts that are keeping you awake at night. • Create a regular sleep and calming ‘wind down’ routine to train your body to relax before bed every night.
the body, while gentle Bach Flower remedies will soothe mental agitation and emotional stress, encourage deep and restful sleep and allow you to wake up feeling restored and capable of focus and function. Pick a flower Bach Flower remedies have been used since the 1930s to support emotional wellbeing. They are natural remedies
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ISSUE 68 • 2023
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