At Stanly Wellness Center I often consult with patients who have difficulty with sleep. Everything from a weak bladder, mineral deficiencies, hormone imbalances to sleep apnea and depression all contribute to poor quality sleep. Complaints of lack of sleep or poor quality sleep seems to be more common nowadays than it was even 10 -15 years ago.

Symptoms of poor sleep not only affect the elderly, but young adults as well. This study on more than 16,000 people aged between 20 and 100 years of age concludes that Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS) has associated links to poor night time sleep. In addition, EDS can be predictive of depression, high body mass index and sleep apnea and appears to be more prevalent in younger adults compared to older adults.

Pharmaceuticals like antidepressants, Lunesta, Sonata, Ambien and antihistamines have been used by patients to try and fall asleep or stay asleep. While these medications may be helpful they all come with side effects and sometimes serious side effects like suicide and death.

This article will highlight some natural sleep aids that could help you to fall asleep and/or stay asleep without the harmful side effects of pharmaceutical drugs.

1. MELATONIN – this hormone is naturally produced by the body both, in small quantities from the pineal gland to larger quantities by the digestive system. Melatonin is released in response to day and night time cycles with increased production of this sleepy hormone during the night. Unfortunately, due to our lifestyle habits of working indoors under fluorescent lights and using bright screens from cell phones and computer or tablet screens to television screens, our sleep cycles are disturbed and our production of melatonin is altered.

Using anywhere between 3-10mg of a melatonin supplement can help you to get a better night’s sleep.

2. MAGNESIUM – This mineral, which many people are actually deficient in, is responsible for 100’s of processes in the human body. Insufficient levels of magnesium have been associated with poor sleep and insomnia.

In addition to regulating the production of melatonin, magnesium increases brain levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) which is a brain messenger with calming effects. Taking upwards of 500mg of magnesium prior to bed has been shown to improve sleep quality.

3. LAVENDER – Many people are aware of the health benefits of Essential Oils like Frankincense, Myrrh, Orange, etc. however may not consider using them as a first line defense for better health. Lavender essential oil has been shown in studies to improve symptoms of insomnia and other sleep disorders.

As little as a few drops of lavender oil under the nose applied 30 minutes prior to bed has been shown to improve sleep quality.

4. FOODS – Many foods naturally contain melatonin with some of the highest being pistachios, red and black rice, orange bell peppers, walnuts, cherries, lentils and even coffee (although you will want to avoid this prior to bedtime).

If you suffer from poor sleep, you may consider trying one of the above remedies to see if they help, or if you have tried some of the above remedies and you would like to share your experiences you may comment on this article below to share your results.

At Stanly Wellness Center, we are eager and ready to help you and your families achieve your best health possible. If you are looking for help with your health or you know of someone who is suffering with poor health, call the office of Stanly Wellness Center at 980-355-7600 and schedule a FREE 15-minute consultation with Dr. Patrick Ess to see how he can help. Dr. Ess will not waste your time or money. He will let you know if he can help you, and if he can’t, who in the community can.

Our office specializes in nutrition, detoxification and neurological correction. You can also refer to our website at www.AskDrPatrick.com for more information. We accept most major health insurances including BCBS, Aetna, Humana, UHC, Medicaid and Medicare.