Part IIB: The Chemistry of Stress
Adapotagenic herbs are helpful in reducing the effects of stress, but these herbs are no substitute for sleep! In Part IIA: The Chemistry of Stress we discovered the proper adaptagenic herbs for you, based on the unique make-up of your nervous system. This is one key to aid in stress management. Another key is sleep in proper quantity and quality.
Just as the sun, moon and seasons rotate in cycles, our bodies were created to keep a natural rhythm. By some, this is referred to as the Circadian Rhythm, and the principle behind it is that our bodies operate within a 24-hour cycle. According to Dr. Carey A. Reams, our bodies require an ideal of 8 hours of sleep per night. I know, I know…. Some people require more and others less, but in general, this is true. People who claim that they only need 3 hours of sleep per night are probably running on nervous energy, and they are just used to it. But the truth is that they are accelerating the aging process by not allowing their bodies to repair through adequate sleep.
Dr. Reams firmly believed that we should be to bed by 11PM at the latest, and that we should never rise before 6 or 7AM. Once, again, I know, I know… how do we do this when we have to get up with sick children or nursing infants? How do we do this when we have to get the kids off to school by 7AM and to work by 8AM? Remember, these are ideals, and there are seasons of life for more or less sleep; however, as much as we can, we would benefit from sleeping from 11PM to 7AM, or 10PM to 6AM. And if you can’t do this, at least sleep in when you can; if you wake up early, stay in bed and rest! Tell yourself that you are slowing down the aging process, so it is worth it! The reason that sleep during this time frame is so important is that from 12-4AM, cellular exchange is taking place; old cells are being discarded and new cells are being created. From 4-6AM, our endocrine system is preparing the body for the “trauma”, or “fight of flight” of the day. Most of us already suffer from adrenal exhaustion, and not giving our bodies the proper amount of sleep simply adds insult to injury!
So what about improving your QUALITY of sleep? There are many people who would love to sleep longer or more soundly, but they either have trouble falling to sleep, staying asleep, or going back to sleep if they wake up in the middle of the night. Truth be told, we should be able to fall asleep easily, stay asleep, and wake up feeling refreshed everyday! Yes, you heard me, it is possible! You should even be able to go through the night without having to use the restroom! G-d designed our bladders to carry us through the night!
If you experience any of the sleep issues covered above, then I can help you get to the root of the matter.
Click Here to dowload a FREE Sleep Quiz that will help you determine the core issue and which herbs may be right for you to maximize your sleep!
Want to find out even more about how to optimize your sleep? Download the eBook called Enter My Rest from my Back to Biblical Health for Women teaching series.
L'chaim-- To Life!