Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Reasons for optimal sleep patterns:

· Prevent obesity. The average person increases approximately 271 extra calories a day if tired.

· Prevent heart disease and diabetes due to obesity.

· Deep sleep by midnight helps your body to make its own hormones

o You can take cortisol to combat stress and a growth hormone for your body to repair its own tissues and keep you young.

There are many sleep aides available with a prescription, as well as over the counter remedies like:

· Tylenol PM or Motrin PM for painful sleep

· Diphenhydramine caps, tabs or liquid

· Unisom

· Herbal or homeopathic remedies including magnolia extracts for brain chatter, passion flower, valerian root, etc.

· Some amino acids are helpful, including hydroxytrytophan or theanine

· Other natural alternatives: Melatonin is available in tablets, sublingual drops, or liquid

Preventing sleep disturbances with lifestyle modification and diet changes include

· No caffeine in the evening, chocolate may be included for some

· No excessive exercise in the evening.Try to listen to calming music or do relaxing activities: taking a bubble bath, reading a nice book, etc.

· A protein snack prior to sleep can sometimes help the one having a hard time falling asleep.