It is estimated that up to 25% of Americans suffer from some type of sleep disorder. Hormones, shift work, anxiety and stress are some of the contributing factors to the ever-growing problem of sleep loss. Sleeping poorly not only leaves you irritable and fatigued, it can increase your risk of heart disease, diabetes and weight gain by decreasing body levels of the hormone leptin responsible for controlling appetite.
Muscle tension and distracting thoughts can also interfere with sleep. Progressive muscle relaxation techniques and self-hypnosis techniques that teach you to quiet the mind have proven to be effective tools for achieving (with regularity) a deep, peaceful, refreshing night's rest. |