Sleep Aids:

Insomnia ranks high with other human frailties and conditions. It occurs at all ages but mostly in older people. It affects a higher percentage of women than men.  But there are ways to combat insomnia.  For those who want to avoid taking sleeping pills and other drugs, there are non-drug-related sleep aids like weighted blankets, sleep masks, sound machines, etc. Finally, there are many options out there to help you get a good night’s sleep. Most cases of insomnia can be cured with changes you can make on your own—without relying on sleep specialists or turning to prescription or over-the-counter sleeping pills and sleep supplements.   Focus on what you can control and there are lots that you have direct control over. (Refer to the Sleep Solutions Chapter). Sleep issues range from physiological to psychological causes. Major causes of insomnia include: o poor sleep hygiene; poor sleeping habits o mental health disorders like stress, anxiety, depression o physical illnesses, medical conditions, pain o certain medications o neurological problems Keep in mind, that insomnia is not your fault.  If sleep alludes while you practice good sleep hygiene, then seek medical help. 

SLEEP FACTS:

RANDOM SLEEP THOUGHTS   o Poor sleep habits can in fact shorten one’s life expectancy.   o Sleep is key to the brain's ability to reorganize itself.   o We as a species are poor sleepers.   o Sleep appears to be largely a brain-focused phenomenon.   o It's rare to meet someone who doesn't have trouble sleeping.   o A healthy sleeper takes about 15 minutes to fall asleep.   o The human brain begins to fail after 16 hours of awake   o Lack of sleep can harm your overall health   o Sleep is a biological necessity - there is no getting around it.   o Most Americans suffer from chronic sleep deprivation   o Insomnia Cookies are just cookies - nothing to do with getting to sleep   o If you lived to 75, then you would have spent 25 years in bed sleeping.