| Having a sleep disorder can be very | | | | iron supplement may alleviate some of the |
| disruptive to everyday life. Sleep deprived | | | | symptoms of RLS. Many herbs are well known |
| people are usually excessively tired and | | | | for promoting a natural sleep. A clamming tea |
| sleepy. They tend to become irritable and | | | | of chamomile or lemon balm can be very |
| very emotional. At times they become a | | | | relaxing to many people that suffer from a |
| danger, not only to themselves, but also to | | | | sleep disorder. |
| those around them. | | | | |
| | | | Exercise and relaxation techniques, whether |
| Some people use alternative, natural ways to | | | | used alone or together, can reduce stress and |
| lessen the effects of their sleep disorder. | | | | muscle tension. Many people that use these |
| Many people focus on diet and nutrition, | | | | techniques to lessen the symptoms of a sleep |
| while others use herbs and supplements. Still | | | | disorder do these before going to bed. They |
| others believe in the positive effect of | | | | not only ease physical tension but they calm |
| exercise, relaxation and sensory techniques, | | | | the mind and prepare the body to sleep. These |
| meditation or behavioral and cognitive | | | | techniques include mindful exercise, |
| strategies. Often people use a combination of | | | | progressive muscle relaxation, breathing |
| these approaches to help alleviate the | | | | exercises and yoga. |
| symptoms of their sleep disorder. | | | | |
| | | | Meditation and visualization are also used by |
| A healthy diet is essential for optimal | | | | some sufferers of sleep disorders to calm the |
| energy and a restful sleep. Avoiding certain | | | | body before sleep. Two common forms of |
| foods is as important as including others in | | | | mediation are meditation on the breath and |
| your daily diet. Eating a wide variety of | | | | mantra meditation. Both of these types can |
| foods and drinking plenty of water will keep | | | | have a positive effect on relieving stress |
| your body well- balanced and provide a more | | | | and calming the body. Many people focus their |
| stable energy level. Avoiding food that is | | | | energy on a healing visualization as a method |
| grown, treated or processed with chemicals, | | | | of alternative therapy for their sleep |
| and limiting the amount of sugar and caffeine | | | | disorder. |
| will also help your overall physical | | | | |
| condition. Many foods promote a restful sleep | | | | Sensory techniques that people use to lessen |
| and are helpful in relieving some of the | | | | the symptoms of their sleep disorder are |
| symptoms of certain sleep disorders. Eating | | | | hydrotherapy, and aroma therapy. The two main |
| the proper snack before bedtime can increase | | | | techniques included in hydrotherapy, which |
| natural serotonin levels. Serotonin acts as a | | | | means water therapy, are relaxing in an Epsom |
| natural sedative and is made in the body from | | | | salt bath and a lymph stimulating footbath. |
| the amino acid tryptophan. Foods that a re | | | | Aroma therapy includes the use of therapeutic |
| rich in tryptophan include chicken, turkey, | | | | essential oils in baths, massage oils, room |
| cheese, cottage cheese, fish, milk, nuts, | | | | sprays, and simple inhalants. |
| avocados and bananas. | | | | |
| | | | Alternative behavioral and cognitive |
| Many people use herbs and natural supplements | | | | strategies used to combat the symptoms of a |
| as an alternative approach to treating their | | | | sleep disorder include improving a person's |
| sleep disorder. There are many nutritional | | | | sleep hygiene, stimulus control therapy and |
| supplements and herbal products on the | | | | journal writing. |
| market. It is important to know how a | | | | |
| specific product acts on the body as well as | | | | Alternative practices and techniques can help |
| on the specific sleep disorder.. For example | | | | many types of sleep disorders. Often they are |
| many people with restless leg syndrome have | | | | used in conjunction with traditional |
| an iron or folic acid deficiency. Taking an | | | | medication and practices. |