Sleep Well Tonight

Sleep coaching has been part of my practice for quite some time as more and more of my clients have sleep challenges. I find sleep challenges are frequently caused from a combination of things. For some who wrestle with sleeplessness, the cause may be electronics and not being able to disconnect and gear down, for some it’s stress, menopause or hormone imbalances, and for others adrenal fatigue or a myriad of other root causes that could be to blame.

While determining the root causes and how to address them may take some time, there are few things that prove helpful for almost everyone, and can be done for little if any investment.

One of the simplest things you can do is to power off your electronics or at the very least distance them from where you sleep. Switching to Airplane Mode is another option for cell phones, if for instance, you like to have your phone powered on, for emergencies. You may even want to consider turning off WiFi during the night. A Himalayan Salt Lamp can be helpful to cancel out some of the electromagnetic (EM) radiation which flows from our electronics. As they emit negative ions into the air, Himalayan Salt Lamps help to neutralize electromagnetic radiation.

Have you ever read the cell phone radiation warnings posted on the wall at your local Verizon store? Probably not. They aren’t easy to find and if you do actually find them, reading the small print isn’t easy either. Until more evidence based research is conclusive, err on the cautious side and sleep with your cell phone across the room.

Diffusing essential oils at bedtime can prove extremely helpful to most people. Vetiver, Bergamot, Lavender, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Frankincense, and many others are scientifically proven to support and encourage restful sleep. There are even essential oils that have a positive effect on snoring. These include Lavender, Cedarwood, Vanilla, Thyme, Marjoram, Lime, and several others. As many can attest to, sleeping with a snoring bed partner, or being the snoring one, can be very disruptive to sleep.

One supplement that has been very helpful for many of my sleep challenged clients is Schiff’s Melatonin Ultra that includes a synergistic blend of Melatonin along with GABA, Theanine, Chamomile, Valerian, and B-6. It’s available online or at Costco and is very reasonably priced.

Another excellent sleep enhancing supplement is Young Living’s SleepEssence which contains four powerful Young Living Therapeutic Grade™ essential oils that have unique sleep-supporting properties. Lavender, Vetiver, Valerian, and Ruta Graveolens essential oils coupled with the hormone Melatonin make SleepEssence a natural way to encourage a good night’s rest.

We’ve known for quite some time that caffeine, late night work outs, alcohol, and evening screen time can all contribute to insomnia. However, taking a few easy steps to eliminate or reduce bedtime electronics exposure, and adding some natural sleep support is doable and can pay great dividends to anyone seeking a better night’s sleep.