Eye-Opening Facts About Stress
 (NewsUSA)
- You look at the clock. It's 1 a.m. You've been trying to
sleep since 11, and you're still awake. Your mind races. Your
muscles are tense. You think you'll never get any rest. Sound
familiar? If so, you are one of 60 million people in the U.S.
who suffer from some form of insomnia.
A recent survey by the National Sleep Foundation indicates
that 58 percent of adults in America experience insomnia at
least a few nights a week. Insomnia increases with age, afflicting
approximately 30 percent of men and 40 percent of women.
While insomnia has many causes, many of us can't sleep because
we are simply too stressed out. Stress, a major contributor
to all sorts of health issues - from weight gain to heart
problems - seems unavoidable in today's fast-paced world.
We may not be able to eliminate all stress from our lives,
but we can minimize it. Here are some strategies:
* Make a list. Organize your next day's activities into
three categories: "To Call," "To Buy, "To Do." Attach a specific
time to each activity, and rest assured that you won't wake
up to chaos.
* Unwind. Before you go to bed, take a timeout. Read or
listen to music as you drink a cup of herbal tea or warm milk.
Create a barrier of calm between your jam-packed day and your
bedtime.
* Relax your body. We carry stress in our muscles, especially
those of the neck and lower back. Stretching exercises can
ease the tension. When you get into bed, lie flat your back
for a few minutes. Tense and relax each muscle group as you
work your way up from your toes to your temples.
* Try a sleep aid. Non-habit-forming aids are easy to find.
The spray Insomnia, for example, is a natural alternative
to prescriptions. Part of the Spray line of sublingual sprays,
Insomnia helps you relax to ease you into a deep sleep. Made
with natural ingredients, the spray acts gently and causes
no side effects, according to its manufacturer. For more information,
visit www.thespray.com
* Create a ritual. Do something every night to signal that
it's bedtime. This can be anything from a light snack to a
hot, candlelit bath.
Stress and insomnia are inextricably linked. By reducing
stress, it's possible to have a full night of peaceful, refreshing
sleep.
Article Source: http://www.newsusa.com
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