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