If you suffer from insomnia of any kind, the chances are you don't need to be told that there's a significant connection between sleep problems like insomnia and stress. In fact, as cases of insomnia and related sleep problems increase, more and more people find themselves caught between the pressures and responsibilities of daily life and their desire for a good night's sleep.
The good news is that insomnia and stress don't have to go hand in hand. There are a variety of productive ways that you can reduce stress and increase your chances of getting a good night's sleep at the same time.
If you have already taken the basic steps necessary for a good night's sleep (the 5 steps to better sleep outlined in my previous article and published here), the chances are you're suffering from stress-induced insomnia, and it's time for you to take action. That's because anxiety of any kind has quantifiable physiological effects such as increasing your blood pressure, your heart rate and your body temperature ? which in turn disrupt your body's natural propensity for sleep and disturb your body's nightly sleep functions. In other words, anxiety doesn't just reduce the amount of sleep you are able to get - it damages the quality of the sleep that you do enjoy.
Fortunately, you can reduce stress and improve your sleep fairly simply by undertaking some form of regular relaxation exercise. Depending upon your preference and your degree of stress, there are several different ways to improve your sleep quality through relaxation.
For some people all it takes to reduce stress is a warm bath and some sleep-promoting aromatherapy. Using calming aromatherapy candles or adding soothing essential oils to your bath are the perfect way to diffuse anxiety and induce the sleep you need after a long day.
If you find yourself suffering from more severe stress and insomnia, you may also want to try a guided relaxation or meditation exercise to promote a good night's sleep. This can be as simple as spending fifteen to thirty minutes sitting comfortably in silence, or as involved as using a specially prepared CD or DVD for a more structured meditation that guides you gently towards sleep. Taking an afternoon yoga class or learning some deep breathing exercises are also excellent natural sleep remedies.
The best approach to including any sleep enhancing relaxation exercise (from sleep-inducing aromatherapy to guided meditation) is to try one approach for at least two weeks and see how you get on. Because your body responds best to routine ? especially when it comes to sleep ? this will give your sleep cycle a chance to properly adjust. If, after a couple of weeks you find that your chosen approach is having little effect, don't despair. Simply try another approach until you find a method that works best for you.
It won't take long for you to discover a relaxation exercise that suits your needs and the chances are you'll both reduce stress and be enjoying a long, restful night's sleep sooner, rather than later.
Copyright ? 2005 Donald Saunders
Attention Ezine Editors / Website Owners
Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or on your website so long as you leave all links intact, do not modify the content and include the resource box shown below. You may of course use your own affiliate link in the resource box.
For details of our affiliate program, please visit our website.
Donald Saunders is the author of a number of health related publications including: "Help Me To Sleep - A Guide To Natural Sleep Remedies", "Jet Lag - An Alternative Approach", "Shift Work Insomnia" and "The Art of Meditation - A Guide To Meditation, Breathing and Relaxation Techniques"
For further details please visit http://help-me-to-sleep.com
Work stress has become a major problem today. The nature... Read More
But how can this happen to someone?Let's concentrate on how... Read More
One of the best ways to combat stress and depression... Read More
Aromatherapy is very therapeutic when it comes to healing emotional... Read More
Everyone worries. As bothersome as it is, worry isn't all... Read More
So, you've recognised that you are suffering from stress and... Read More
My son was watching a Richard Scarry video this morning... Read More
Life would be so wonderful if it weren't for other... Read More
We function at our best when we are free from... Read More
ExcusesWe all have them. It amazes me how creative I... Read More
Stress is the nastiest 4 letter word you ever met.... Read More
Q: "My career, though very very stressful, is one that... Read More
Adversity is an unavoidable part of life. Death of a... Read More
Get at least 15 minutes of sunshine daily.Daily Exercise -... Read More
?And holding it way down inside you like an old... Read More
The World Health Organization calls stress "the health epidemic of... Read More
If there was a way of relaxing quickly and easily... Read More
Stress ReliefStress is a big business in Western society. We... Read More
Question 1"How do I get more time to play?"Answer: Schedule... Read More
Everyone needs successful stress management techniques. Easy to learn and... Read More
Shit happens. I know this to be a fact, because... Read More
Case #1- Elizabeth, a 40 year old homemaker was always... Read More
If you're like most people, you have your bouts of... Read More
Q. So many times in my life, I seem to... Read More
With almost 50% of workers complaining that their jobs are... Read More
whole house cleaning Park Ridge ..Worry, big or small blocks positive vibrations from entering your... Read More
How much attention is paid to one of the biggest... Read More
Comedian George Carlin once remarked, "Have your ever noticed? Anyone... Read More
After a stressful day as a computer programmer, Jim pulled... Read More
Defending your point of view can use up a lot... Read More
Q. I have just recently come to recognize that I... Read More
I have yet to see a scientist talk about the... Read More
"When you breathe, you inspire. When you do not breathe,... Read More
"One day I'm a mother, One day I'm a lover,... Read More
I recently received this e-mail message about stress management (author... Read More
Lake Hopatcong, NJ (PRWEB) November 30, 2004 -- Here are... Read More
Have you ever noticed what occurs when you are suddenly... Read More
Voice: Bill!Bill: I thought I heard a voice.Voice: Bill! This... Read More
As small business owners, we often take on more than... Read More
Stress, America's #1 health problem, is a leading cause of... Read More
There are two types of anxiety:*Situational *Existential.Most of us experience... Read More
Let's face it! The majority of our time is either... Read More
Feeling stressed? Who isn't!! In today's society, feeling "stressed out,"... Read More
We so often take the feelings of happiness and saddness... Read More
In these times when companies are constantly down-sizing and right-sizing... Read More
First, let's make a distinction between pressure and stress. We... Read More
1. Acknowledge that requesting support, guidance and partnership is not... Read More
This is the time for daydreaming about your annual vacation.... Read More
One of the hardest forms of stress to avoid is... Read More
I love a good story and I know I'm not... Read More
Stress Management |