Self Help for Insomnia by Adam Sargant, Dip.H.Ed (Nursing Studies), Dip.Hyp.,NLP(prac)

The benefits of a good nights sleep cannot be underestimated. It is believed that sleep gives our bodies the chance to maintain and repair our bodies and minds. Cell growth and cell repair takes place to combat the affects of stress. Sleep also helps our bodies fight infection. This is because our immune system releases a sleep-inducing chemical while fighting a cold or an infection. Sleep helps the body conserve energy and other resources that the immune system needs to mount an effective attack. While the mental processes that take place in sleep are not well understood, it is probable that sleeping and dreaming allow the mind to re-organise experience in constructive ways. The areas of the brain responsible for dreaming are also those areas associated with inspiration and aspiration.

Sleep deprivation has long been understood to give rise to some very unpleasant consequences. In early stages (which can arise from persistent poor quality sleep), we can see

·Tiredness

·irritability, edginess

·inability to tolerate stress

·problems with concentration and memory

·behavioural, learning or social problems

·frequent infections

·blurred vision

·vague physical discomfort

·alterations in appetite.

Insomnia is a condition that causes distress to many people. Insomnia is probably responsible for more days off work and more mental strain than any other condition in the western world, with the usual response from a frustrated medical profession being the prescription of powerful sedatives that have strong adverse side effects. Nobody knows just how many sleeping tablets are consumed every year, but in the US alone the government permits the manufacturer of pentobarbital (Nembutal) to make over 15 tons yearly!

There are many things we can do to improve the quality of our sleep. What constitutes quality sleep will vary from person to person, but on average, an adult requires 7 or 8 hours sleep a night. During sleep, we cycle through three stages of sleep ranging from light sleep to deep sleep, and finally, to rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. A complete sleep cycle takes 90 to 110 minutes on average.

Basic Sleep Hygiene

Basic sleep hygiene rules are really common sense when you think about them. They could include

·Become aware of your mind and body’s natural cycle. Some people function better going to bed early and rising early, other people function better when going to bed late and rising late. Listen to your body, and notice at what times of day you function best and are most productive.

·Sleep only when you feel sleepy. This reduces the time you are awake in bed.

·If you can't fall asleep within 20 minutes, get up and do something else until you feel sleepy, but make sure it is not too stimulating. Sit quietly in the dark listen to some nice soothing music.

·Try not to take naps. This will ensure you are tired at bedtime. If you just can't make it through the day without a nap, sleep less than one hour, before 3 pm.

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BIO:

Adam is an NLP practitioner, hypnotherapist, and mental health nurse with over a decades experience. He is passionate about the use of language to effect change.

This article is free to use but please link to http://www.hypnosisaudiocds.com/insomnia-hypnosis.php using the link text "insomnia hypnosis"

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