Comments on: Sleep the Miracle Drug http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/sleep-the-miracle-drug/ Naturopathic physician, Dr. Nicole Sundene, answers your alternative medicine health questions at the kitchen table! Wed, 08 Oct 2008 08:11:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Dr. Nicole http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/sleep-the-miracle-drug/#comment-323 Dr. Nicole Tue, 01 Apr 2008 17:00:54 +0000 http://kitchentablemedicine.com/sleep-the-miracle-drug/#comment-323 Jodi- one more thing...that was supposed to say "two cups" of epsom salts and check out the blog titled "What is your One thing" for my lavender foot massage spiel. Jodi- one more thing…that was supposed to say “two cups” of epsom salts and check out the blog titled “What is your One thing” for my lavender foot massage spiel.

]]> By: Dr. Nicole http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/sleep-the-miracle-drug/#comment-322 Dr. Nicole Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:59:31 +0000 http://kitchentablemedicine.com/sleep-the-miracle-drug/#comment-322 Jodi- Thanks so much for the compliment and leaving a comment! That is very encouraging for me. Wow you are doing a lot of really great things already and should be proud of yourself...sometimes these things take a little bit of time to get worked out so be patient while your body establishes a new "circadian rhythm". Now I treat "not being able to fall asleep" and "not being able to stay asleep" as two separate entities. I am currently working on an article titled "The best bedtime snacks for insomniacs" which helps people to stay asleep. One of my favorites is three tablespoons of freshly ground flaxseeds mixed with applesauce. Falling asleep can be as simple as doing a "Neutral Salt Bath" right before bed. Add cups of epsom salts to a body temperature bath and soak for 15 minutes. Keep the bathroom dimly lit and don't listen to music or read (a hot bath is stimulating as is a cold bath, but neutral is very calming). Rinse off and head straight to bed. Ultimately the body and mind both need to be worn out for a good nights sleep, be sure to exercise them both during the day and not engage in heavy exercise after dinner time as that can keep you up! Let me know if you have any other questions... :D Jodi- Thanks so much for the compliment and leaving a comment! That is very encouraging for me. Wow you are doing a lot of really great things already and should be proud of yourself…sometimes these things take a little bit of time to get worked out so be patient while your body establishes a new “circadian rhythm”.

Now I treat “not being able to fall asleep” and “not being able to stay asleep” as two separate entities. I am currently working on an article titled “The best bedtime snacks for insomniacs” which helps people to stay asleep. One of my favorites is three tablespoons of freshly ground flaxseeds mixed with applesauce.

Falling asleep can be as simple as doing a “Neutral Salt Bath” right before bed. Add cups of epsom salts to a body temperature bath and soak for 15 minutes. Keep the bathroom dimly lit and don’t listen to music or read (a hot bath is stimulating as is a cold bath, but neutral is very calming). Rinse off and head straight to bed.

Ultimately the body and mind both need to be worn out for a good nights sleep, be sure to exercise them both during the day and not engage in heavy exercise after dinner time as that can keep you up!

Let me know if you have any other questions… :D

]]> By: Jodi http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/sleep-the-miracle-drug/#comment-318 Jodi Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:28:17 +0000 http://kitchentablemedicine.com/sleep-the-miracle-drug/#comment-318 I am really enjoying your website. The more I dive into my issues the more I think sleep has a lot to do with it. What are your recommendations for someone not getting a good restful night sleep? I drink cafein in the am only, I have completely cut out my alcohol, I do not smoke, I bought a new bed and I am trying to use my light box in the am but things aren't any better.Do you have any suggestions? I am really enjoying your website. The more I dive into my issues the more I think sleep has a lot to do with it. What are your recommendations for someone not getting a good restful night sleep? I drink cafein in the am only, I have completely cut out my alcohol, I do not smoke, I bought a new bed and I am trying to use my light box in the am but things aren’t any better.Do you have any suggestions?

]]> By: Dr. Nicole http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/sleep-the-miracle-drug/#comment-310 Dr. Nicole Mon, 31 Mar 2008 21:12:32 +0000 http://kitchentablemedicine.com/sleep-the-miracle-drug/#comment-310 Erin I think good health is all about figuring out your personal recipe for success. There is a big difference between missing sleep and knowing that it is affecting you and sleeping five or six hours a night solid and feeling great. Eight hours of sleep is simply an average and scientific studies have shown that not everyone needs eight hours of sleep. I think the most important thing is that people have a consistent schedule to establish a healthy "circadian rhythm" Wow I think you are lucky that you don't need that much sleep! *jealous* Erin I think good health is all about figuring out your personal recipe for success. There is a big difference between missing sleep and knowing that it is affecting you and sleeping five or six hours a night solid and feeling great. Eight hours of sleep is simply an average and scientific studies have shown that not everyone needs eight hours of sleep. I think the most important thing is that people have a consistent schedule to establish a healthy “circadian rhythm”

Wow I think you are lucky that you don’t need that much sleep!

*jealous*

]]> By: Erin Happycamper http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/sleep-the-miracle-drug/#comment-306 Erin Happycamper Mon, 31 Mar 2008 11:06:54 +0000 http://kitchentablemedicine.com/sleep-the-miracle-drug/#comment-306 Awesome write as usual, but I have a question for you Doc.... Does EVERYBODY need at least 8-10 hours of sleep that has been pushed in most of us since we were kids? I actually feel more awake, alert, and perky on 5 hours of sleep a night. My Grandpa is the same way. Could this be hereditary? I've noticed if I get a "full" 8 hours I just want to crawl back under the covers and sleep the rest of my day away. Everybody's a little different, right? Awesome write as usual, but I have a question for you Doc….

Does EVERYBODY need at least 8-10 hours of sleep that has been pushed in most of us since we were kids? I actually feel more awake, alert, and perky on 5 hours of sleep a night. My Grandpa is the same way. Could this be hereditary? I’ve noticed if I get a “full” 8 hours I just want to crawl back under the covers and sleep the rest of my day away. Everybody’s a little different, right?

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