PSYCHOLOGICAL CAUSES OF INSOMNIA

By far the most frequent source of insomnia is some form of mental or emotional disquiet. Since one primary biological reason for sleep is to provide the brain with a chance to rest, it is perhaps not surprising that one consequence of a troubled mind should be troubled sleep.

I must hasten to point out that in using such terms as "mental disquiet" or "psychological disturbance" I am not suggesting, by any stretch of the imagination, that people with insomnia are thereby crazy, or that their sleep troubles are "all in their minds." Quite the contrary. Insomnia is a very real, and very widely experienced, phenomenon. Insomniacs really do sleep less than other people, as measured not just by their own perceptions but clinically and scientifically in sleep laboratories. Nor do victims of insomnia have unrealistic expectations or beliefs about what constitutes a good night's sleep; studies have shown that insomniacs desire only the same amount of sleep as other people.

While it is true that insomnia is a feature of a number of severe mental disorders, including clinical depression, it may also appear when a psychologically healthy person's life is unusually stressful or tension-filled. Often people with sleep disorders have endured troubling situations over which they had no control—an unhappy home life during childhood, for example/ And the increasing pressure and pace of today's society adds to everyone's mental load. The primary purpose of labeling insomnia as largely psychiatric in origin is not to suggest that the disorder is illusory or that its victims are mentally disturbed but to call attention to the types of therapy that have the greatest chance of succeeding.

With that in mind, then, let me proceed to describe some of the behavioral patterns and mental attitudes that are frequently associated with insomnia. Perhaps you will recognize one or more of these traits in yourself or in a loved one who suffers from sleepless nights. If so, you will be better able to focus on the cause of the problem—the first step toward resolving it.

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NATURAL HIGHS OF CHILL: MAGNESIUM - THE MIND AND MUSCLE RELAXANT

Every morning, millions of us reach for that star of the supplement world, vitamin C. But Ñ has a lesser-known cousin that deserves a share of die limelight: magnesium. This wonderful mineral modulates mood and works from deep within to keep us composed, serene and less vulnerable to daily disruptions and turmoil.

Because it is key in aiding muscle relaxation, magnesium is a past master when it comes to ensuring our bodies can actually reach a state of deep repose. II you think you could do with some extra armour to safeguard you against day-to-day upheavals, upping your intake of magnesium is one of the easiest ways going.

Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in your body, a necessary co-factor for hundreds of enzymes, and the most critical mineral of all for coping with stress. Today's common stress-related diseases, such as heart attacks and high blood pressure, are often accompanied by magnesium deficiency. Unfortunately, despite its importance, many people fail to meet the recommended daily allowance for magnesium, and are more stressed and anxious as a result.

How to tell if you’re Deficient

Muscle cramps, tension, spasms and (witching are the most characteristic symptoms of magnesium depletion, followed by anxiety, irritability, fatigue, trouble falling or slaying asleep, nervousness, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, constipation, fits or convulsions, hyperactivity, depression, confusion, lack of appetite and calcium deposits such as kidney stones. If you suffer from any of these symptoms, you may need to take a magnesium supplement.

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