Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Avoid sleeping with stress


Finding yourself wide awake after a few hours of sleep or waking often at night is call parasomnia. It's much more common than people think according to a 2005 National Sleep Foundation poll, which found that 75% of adults frequently have symptoms of a sleep problem.

The root of most sleep problems is STRESS. If you go to bed worried you're probably going to wake up in the middle of the night, only to go through the next day feeling like hell. We're overwhelming our body's ability to relax. Our nervous system is built for a sprint, but we're living in a stress marathon every day.

After an action packed day our brains need some time to wind down. Take 15 minutes to sit quietly, meditate, pray, or just listen to yourself breathing and allow your mind to slow down. Establish a routine before bed and you'll notice the repetition will condition your brain and body for sleep.

Nap time

Napping works wonders for a stressed brain. Napping 20 to 30 minutes gives you enough restorative power to perform better and does not interfere with falling asleep at night. The key is to nap early and keep it short.

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