Insomnia Help From Light Therapy

Sleep Therapy For Insomnia

We all have had times where we had trouble falling asleep and staying asleep.  Several nights of this affects our moods, with feelings of anger and irritability on the surface.  Our motor skills are slower and we often find ourselves making mistakes, which we would never do when rested.

Daytime fatigue is one of the most noticeable side effects of Insomnia.  We are dragging so low our lower chin often rests on our desk or floor.  The desire for the day to be over causes lack of concentration and wanting to lie down and get some sleep.  These powerful feelings and urgings are the body’s way of seeking the great balancer – sleep.

The definition of Insomnia isn’t being ‘unable to sleep’ contrary to what many people believe.  It is the ‘inability to fall asleep and to stay asleep, thus failing to awaken refreshed’.  Many of us wake up several times during the night worrying or just can’t seem to get back to the quiet mind and body state.  So we toss and turn, and turn and toss.  Awakening the next morning feeling more tired than when went to bed.  How frustrating is that?

The Rhythms of All Life – Circadian – The Wake/Sleep Cycle

The Circadian rhythm affects all people, animals, and plants.  This physiological process which takes place every 24 hours governs every living thing.  This process of wake/sleep cycle keeps us in top shape or we drag along.  Sleep disorders disrupt this natural order.

Some Causes of Insomnia Are:

• Situational such as work stress
• Loss of job or loved one
• Medical conditions
• Pain, either emotional or physical
• Sleep apnea

Insomnia can be temporary, lasting one night to a week, or short-term lasting several weeks.

Causes For Temporary or Short-Term Insomnia are:

• Shift work or excessive overtime
• Stress and worry about money, work, or children
• Jet lag
• Being in climates much hotter or colder than where you normally reside
• This applies to rooms that are too hot or too cold
• Recovering from illness or any surgeries and or a medical condition
• Withdrawal from nicotine, alcohol or drugs
• Excessive amounts of alcohol an hour or two before bed
• Some cold remedies
• Snoring partner
• Sleep apnea
• Medications sometimes interfere with sleep; always ask your doctor about any sleep side effects and specific instructions

Many forms of treatment for insomnia have been used over the years.  Machines for breathing problems and sleep apnea have been used along with medications.

Blue Light Therapy Helps Insomnia

In recent years Light Therapy has been used to help insomnia.   The newcomer on the block, Blue Light Therapy, has shown some astounding results.  Of course, it varies from individual to individual, as well as the severity of the insomnia.

The same natural NASA technology uses with the astronauts helps the everyday person with insomnia. In space there is no night.  So the brains at the space center had to find a way to help the astronauts get some shut-eye.  Performing those very detailed and exhausting jobs in space needs people to be well rested and alert, as they are 249,000 miles from the nearest help.

”Light Therapy” comes to the rescue.

The technology exists that naturally turns off a naturally occurring hormone.  As this happens the body begins relaxing and you drift into a restful state, awakening refreshed upon rising.

Benefits of Sleep:

• Awake refreshed and ready to begin your day
• Focus and concentration improve
• Improved memory
• Calmness and patience increase
• Carry through on tasks is easier

Life is so much better when we are rested.  Then we can truly enjoy our life, work, children, and friends.

This article came out of many years as a counselor, where I saw the effects of lack of sleep and the joy we are robbed of…there are untold thousands that suffer from this disorder at one time or another.  I hope this has given many of you a little insight into this ever-growing part of our life.  Slow down and take time to enjoy life and let your mind and body relax and reset.

Several clients have used “Blue Light Therapy” products with good success.  Now is your time to get some sleep and enjoy life.