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Mental Health News Articles
Page: 1
| Posted: 7th August 2004 |
| Sleep disorders |
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Sound, restorative sleep is the foundation of a healthy life. A good night's sleep is undoubtedly one of the healthiest and most rejuvenating pastimesSo why do so many of us complain about our sleep? Some sleep too little, some restlessly and some too much. Although one-third of our lives are spent asleep, most of us don't know much about sleep. We don't even know exactly why we sleep. Sleep problems profoundly disturb both sleeping and waking life, brought on my physical and mental problems, upheaval or interferences.
Rest is the basis of activity. If you sleep well at night, you function well in the daytime. If you don't sleep well, you don't function, reactions are slower, the mind feels heavy and dull, you tend to get upset more easily, you don't work as efficiently, and, in general, it's a lot harder to get through the day. Sleep is vital for healthy brain activity during the day, ensuring your moods, emotions, reflexes, and cognitive ability are at their best when you are awake.
How much sleep you need depends on the individual. Many people can get by on five or six hours a night. Others need nine or ten hoursSleep needs generally decrease with age. A one-year-old baby requires about fourteen hours of sleep a day. By age five, children need about twelve hours. Adults, on average, need about seven to eight hours. Women tend to require more sleep than men. Many elderly people sleep less than their younger counterparts. They tend to sleep less at night but doze more during the day than younger adults.
The most common form of sleep disorder is insomnia-the inability to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night. Other common sleep complaints are: Snoring, Sleep Apnoea, Narcolepsy, Restless leg syndrome, Sleepwalking, Night Terrors, Nightmares, Bedwetting, etc.
Insomnia can be naturally relieved with herbal teas, infusions and bathsExamples of herbs that have proved useful in relaxing the nervous system include Hops, Valerian, Chamomile, Passionflower, Skullcap, Balm, Oats, St Johns Wort and Wild Lettuce. |
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