Insomnia - Perchance to Dream

Insomnia – Perchance to Dream

Comment by Nicky Webber of Healthscripts on a recent British Sleep Study

Over 5,300 people took part in one of the largest sleep studies ever undertaken. The Great British Sleep Study showed that only 39% of adults enjoy a good nights sleep. The rest of us struggle to get that refreshing deep sleep for a number of frustrating reasons.

About 37 per cent of us suffer with an inability to get to sleep, or we wake up after a few hours and can’t get back to sleep again. We spend the small hours tossing and turning, finally getting up to drag ourselves through another exhausting day.

Another 24 per cent suffer with other problems including teeth-grinding, sleeping too much and sleep apnea, where the airway is temporarily obstructed and people struggle for breath.

The survey was carried out for the UK Mental Health Foundation, and was designed by Professor Colin Espie of the University of Glasgow Sleep Centre. The study confirms that lack of sleep is a growing problem effecting our moods, energy levels, motivation and cognitive functioning.

The research showed that “insomniacs are four times more likely to have relationship problems than those who get enough rest (55 per cent compared to 13 per cent), and three times more likely to have depressed moods (83 per cent compared to 27 per cent). They are three times more likely to lack concentration during the day (78 to 26 per cent), and more than twice as likely to suffer from low energy (94 to 42 per cent).” (http://umeshdamania.wordpress.com/2011/02/05/two-thirds-of-britons-have-sleep-problems)

Looking at these statistics it’s easy to conclude that insomnia is a major public concern. Dr Andrew McCulloch, chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation says, “Whilst great emphasis is rightly placed on the importance of diet and exercise, sleep has for too long been neglected as a major influence on physical and mental health.”

In the current economic climate stress is an increasing issue and contributing to insomnia effecting peoples overall health. Prof Colin Espie says the Sleep Survey data shows the impact insomnia has on our health – sustained periods of low mood, relationship difficulties and lack of exercise due to low energy levels, for example, are all notable causes of mental health problems such as depression, he explained. Not enough sleep over the long term has also been linked to health problems such as heart disease, obesity and diabetes.

Many people in New Zealand try to avoid drugs as a sleep treatment and ask their pharmacist or naturopath for health supplements to support a natural sleep. Health Script’s AM PM Dual Pack helps restore a healthy nutrient balance and specifically the PM Relax & Sleep has been a real hit with insomniacs with its combination of 11 sleeping herbs and minerals. The key ingredients are 5HTP a naturally occurring amino acid which raises your serotonin levels acting like a mild anti-depressant. This allows you to relax and unwind and is also combined with Valerian, a herb, which gets you sleeping and B6 which keeps you asleep. See direct customer feedback
http://www.healthscript.co.nz/feedback.aspx

 

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