Healthy Sleeping
Worries about the financial crisis are keeping people awake across the country and here’s the downer: the meltdown in the economy is sparking a surge in prescriptions for sleeping pills and antidepressants.
This inverse relation to the market is despite a decrease in marketing.
According to figures released from Pharmac, the pharmaceutical management agency in New Zealand, prescriptions for sleeping pills jumped by more than 10% in November, just as the recession started to bite.
But before shouting, “recession be damned, we need our drugs”, there are many alternatives to prescription medicines which may be of benefit, without side-effects and, often, found around the home and garden.
Lemon balm is a member of the mint family. By looks, it can easily be confused with its close relative, but its crushed leaves produce a fragrant, fresh, lemony scent.
A sporadic, self-seeding herb, lemon balm can threaten to become a nuisance in the garden if left unattended so frequently harvesting it will help keep it at bay.
The plant’s volatile oil has a sedating effect on the nervous system which can help with insomnia, anxiety and depression. Fresh or dried leaves make a pleasant-tasting tea.
Valerian is another herb found in pharmacies and health food shops and tends to be the herb most people self-medicate with when it comes to insomnia. Usually taken in tablet form (the extremely bitter liquid herb requires an enormous amount of willpower), valerian has been shown to decrease the REM phase of sleep and therefore increase sleep quality.
Don’t discount your food pantry either when searching for sleep. Eating well is paramount to a balanced and healthy nervous system and, although oats are sometimes associated more with a regular trip to the toilet each day, they can be instrumental in overall well-being.
Oats have a particular affinity with the nervous system, helping to sooth and aid in general debility and depression. When taken as part of a daily diet, oats act as a mild sedative and are therefore safe for children who suffer from restless sleep.
Be proactive in your quest for sleep. There are many ways you can find your way back to a good night’s sleep, whether it is herbal medicine, nutrition, relaxation techniques or simply a long, leisurely stroll along your favourite beach.
The Body Detective 