Showing posts with label alternatives. Show all posts
Showing posts with label alternatives. Show all posts

23 October 2015

THIS WEEK IN SLEEP NEWS, Oct 15-22


 SPECIAL  || Recalls, special announcements, breaking news, events

 October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Any sleep articles curated here with a specific purpose for raising awareness are marked by this pink ribbon. Remember, having cancer and undergoing cancer treatment can seriously wreak havoc on your sleep. If you are struggling with cancer, do not take your sleep problems for granted; treat them so you can heal more quickly and enjoy a better overall outcome. Learn more here
  • Residents near McMurray PA may be interested in seeing nutritionist Mike Gallagher speak on the topic of natural solutions for stress and sleep at the Anderson Clinic on Oct 29 at 6pm. More info
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 TOP TEN  || Sleep news picks this week -- newest to oldest
1.  OCT 21 || PR NEWSWIRE
Insomnia Ranks 2nd After Cold as Most Common Health Complaint Internationally
World

2. OCT 21 || WALLPAPER
Sheet wise: Loop.pH dream up a public sleep laboratory
Culture
3. OCT 21 || WND
10 Things You Need to Know About CPAP Machines
Curator's comments: I appreciate his realistic perspectives on the experience of learning how to live with CPAP.
Technology

 4.  OCT 20 || SUPERSITE FOR WINDOWS
How your Android phone can battle blue-light insomnia
Technology
5. OCT 19 || BANGOR DAILY NEWS
Sleep apnea at night nearly killed this man during the day
Curator's comments: For those who think they can live with sleep apnea and decide to skip treatment. No. No, you can't live with it.
Public Health & Safety
6. OCT 19 || BRANDCHANNEL
Sleep Matters: Aetna Issues Wake Up Call in Sleep-Deprivation Campaign
Curator's comments: When the insurance companies start to wage campaigns for sleep awareness, it means that these issues have become intolerably expensive. Sleep deprivation is ridiculously costly to pay for in terms of motor vehicle and workplace accidents (property damages, fatalities, injuries and lawsuits), reduced productivity at work and the price of chronic illness, which sleep deprivation exacerbates. This is why sleep deprivation has been called a "public health crisis" for years now. When will we learn?
Public Health & Safety

7. OCT 19 || VAN WINKLE'S
For Our Returning Troops, Post-Traumatic Sleep Disorders Are the New PTSD
Military

 8. OCT 19 || WALL STREET JOURNAL
Long Nights in a Sleep Lab: How two research subjects pass the time—and work to stay awake—during a Penn study on sleep deprivation
The Science of Sleep
9. OCT 18 || NEW YORK POST
‘I’m back!’: Tracy Morgan returns to ‘SNL’
Curator's comments: What did we learn from his experience as the victim of a drowsy driver? Chiefly that Walmart will buy its way out of responsibility for its sleep long-haul truckers. RIP Jimmy Mack, who will not return to ANY job. We're glad Morgan is back on his feet again, but we sure wish he hadn't settled with the retail giant. 
Celebrities

 10. OCT 16 || HUFFPOST HEALTHY LIVING
Lessons Learned From Trends in Insufficient Sleep Across the United States
Public Health & Safety

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 WORLD  || International sleep news
OCT 16 || NORTHERN STAR [AUSTRALIA]
Videos show sleep drivers dicing with death

OCT 16 || BUSINESS WIRE [CZECH REPUBLIC]
ICCS and ESPU announce the launch of World Bedwetting Day to raise awareness of the serious impact of this common medical condition on children and families


OCT 18 || NORTH DEVON JOURNAL [UK]
Hammock is simple solution for Barnstaple teen's sleeping woes || A hammock which emulates cuddles is helping a Barnstaple boy who suffers from autism, social anxiety and Tourette's sleep soundly at night

OCT 18 || EDMONTON JOURNAL [CANADA]
Judge rejects sleepwalking defence, sentences man to prison for killing Edmonton homeless man

OCT 21 || DAILY MAIL [AUSTRALIA]
Rock-a-bye baby, in the... kayak? Mothers share hilarious photos of their children falling asleep in the most unlikely places


OCT 21 || DAILY MAIL [UK]
The nightmare of a dirty mattress || London - It’s not the stuff sweet dreams are made of, but millions of people are sleeping on beds swarming with bacteria and mould

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 NATIONAL  || Sleep news across the U.S.

OCT 15 || KING 5 NEWS [WA]
Burglar steals auction items from SIDS nonprofit
Curator's note: If you live in Seattle, please review the security video footage to see if you recognize the suspect. Thanks. 
OCT 16 || BOSTON HERALD [MA]
Lowell officer caught apparently napping resigns
Curator's note: Maybe what the Boston PD really needs to do is check in on the sleep health of their workforce. Police officers, by the nature of their work, tend to suffer significantly from sleep disorders.
OCT 16 || LAS VEGAS NOW [NV]
Family of 7 chooses to sleep in one BIG bed!
Curator's note: Hmmm. What happens when the kids become teenagers?

OCT 16 || NEWSCHANNEL 5 NETWORK [TN]
Mattress Company Offers Naps Inside Napmobile


OCT 16 || TAMPA BAY TIMES [FL]
Pilot sues airline, saying it won't accommodate his snoring
Curator's note: A case to watch. Do we want sleep-disordered pilots flying our planes? What is the pilot's medical condition which leads to his snoring? Why does the pilot think he is safe to fly planes? Do passengers want to hear loud snoring coming from the cockpit? Does the pilot know that snoring is not harmless? Lots of unanswered questions. 

OCT 17 || DAILY NEWS MAMARONECK [NY]
Area Doctor Explains The Link Between Sleep Deprivation And Obesity

OCT 17 || THE MORNING CALL [PA]
Napping truckers lead to talk of parking ban in Lower Nazareth
Curator's note: If we, as a society, want safety as a priority for everyone, not only should truck drivers be required to have regular health checks and keep a sleep log that shows they are not deprived, but our towns across the nation need to provide space for them to sleep between shifts. 
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 PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY  || Community health: epidemiology, transportation, industry, education

 OCT 16 || COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL
FMCSA begins work on potential sleep apnea rule, studying need for screening/treatment requirements


OCT 18 || BOLD RIDE
How To Stay Awake While Driving
Curator's note: Despite the author's good intentions in trying to help out sleepy drivers, the solution is not technology. There is really only ONE answer to this question: don't drive while sleepy. Period. 

OCT 19 || THE GUARDIAN
Man with sleep disorder who killed cyclist 'shouldn't have been on road' -- Forklift truck driver Neil Urwin, who suffers from obstructive sleep apnoea, sought advice from GP in months before collision

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 BUSINESS & WORKPLACE  || Workplace safety, corporate news, the business of sleep

OCT 19 || ABOVE THE LAW
5 Ways For Lawyers To Beat Insomnia

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 THE SCIENCE OF SLEEP  || Scientific research and basic sleep health resources

OCT 16 || NEWBURYPORT NEWS
Health and Well-Being: Three drivers of insomnia
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 TECHNOLOGY  || Devices and tools for diagnosing and treating sleep health issues
 DRUGS & THERAPIES  || Pharmacology, therapeutics, alternative medicine

OCT 15 || CARE 2
What is light therapy, and how does it work?
Alternative Therapies

 OCT 16 || MEDWIRE NEWS
Lithium benefits found in Kleine–Levin syndrome
Drugs

 OCT 18 || CARE 2
Mindfulness Meditation Proven Effective for Insomnia and Sleep Disorders
Alternative Therapies

 OCT 19 || OUTPATIENT SURGERY
Tonsillectomy Patients With OSA Need Added Attention
Surgery

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 CULTURE  || Cultural and social expressions and discussions about sleep

 OCT 18 || WORLD TECH TODAY
The terrifying way astronauts sleep
Space Travel

OCT 20 || PITCHFORK
Songs in the Key of Zzz: The History of Sleep Music
Music

OCT 20 || RAW STORY
From Vincent Van Gogh to Marilyn Monroe — here are seven famous insomniacs
Celebrities
OCT 22 || CNN
Power napping? World leaders and VIPs doze off in public
Curator's note: Could explain a lot.
Politics

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 LIFESTYLE & HYGIENE  || Helps for patients and clues for sleep self-improvement

OCT 15 || KCCI 8 
Lose weight to gain a better night [sic] sleep

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 FAMILY  || Sleep health through the lifespan: pediatrics, womens health, family health, eldercare

OCT 17 || INQUISITR
Why schools should implement naptime in addition to rewards after learning
Kids
OCT 17 || POST-BULLETIN 
Ask Mayo Clinic: Proper sleep important for teens' health
Teens
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 MULTIMEDIA || Sleep health education and issues captured in graphics, photos, audio, film

OCT 20 || HEALTHiNATION
How are sleep and depression related?
Video

OCT 21 || MEDITATIONS WITH DEEPAK CHOPRA
A restful night's sleep
Video

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 FIRST PERSON  || Individual accounts of living with sleep disorders

OCT 19 || BUSINESS INSIDER
I usually struggle to fall asleep, so I tried a sleep training app and it worked wonders
Category
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 DREAM LIFE  || The art and science of dreaming

OCT 16 || MEDICAL DAILY
Why Do We Dream? Study Identifies Brain Structure Responsible For Activating REM Sleep And Dreaming

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Have a sleep-related news tip? Share it here!


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20 October 2015

THE WISDOM OF SLEEP: Dr. Andrew Weil


Curator's note: Alternative medicine guru Dr. Andrew Weil offers millions of Americans alternative options for achieving maximum health that are less invasive and do not rely on pharmaceuticals. One of the practices he often suggests for people struggling to fall asleep is a simple yogic breathing exercise known as the 4-7-8 breath.

I personally have used a variation of this technique as a "sleep aide" for over 30 years, especially on nights when anxiety runs high and the mind struggles to shut off. It absolutely works for me. 

 For those of you who have occasional trouble falling asleep, I cannot recommend this treatment enough. 

Please click here to find a video where Dr. Weil illustrates this simple breathing technique.

If you aren't clear on the value of using breathing exercises for relaxation and sleep, please consider that deep breathing is part of a variety of techniques practiced in cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). The latest research shows that CBTi (cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia) is generally more successful for treating insomnia than using pharmaceutical aids like Ambien (which are not meant for long-term use, anyway).
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07 October 2015

SLEEP APNEA AWARENESS WEEK || Other Apnea Therapies to Consider


In case you missed it || What SleepyHeadCENTRAL has already posted about Other Therapies To Consider: 
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20 September 2015

ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL: SleepyHeadCENTRAL's top 25 most popular posts


As determined by Google Analytics, including posts timestamped between September 19, 2014 and September 19, 2015
  1. APR 15. 2015 || JUST BREATHE: Upper airway resistance. It's a thing. And it matters.
  2. NOV 29, 2014 || SHED SOME LIGHT: Misconceptions about Circadian Rhythm Disorders
  3. NOV 21, 2014 || SHED SOME LIGHT: Terra Ziporyn Snider, PhD, on later school start times
  4. JUN 12, 2015 || GUEST POST: Insights into the recent ASV device recall
  5. FEB 13, 2015 || ALTERNATIVES: Therapies for Sleep Apnea that don't involve a mask
  6. APR 30, 2015 || JUST BREATHE: "Heard About Sleep?" APNEA... If not, listen in here.
  7. APR 30, 2015 || JUST BREATHE: What happens if I don't treat my sleep apnea?
  8. NOV 7, 2014 || SHED SOME LIGHT: ...on circadian disorders
  9. OCT 24, 2014 || MONSTERS OF SLEEP: Ken Scholes on sleeping and PTSD
  10. NOV 17, 2014 || SLEEP HYGIENE TIP OF THE WEEK: Melatonin is tricky
  11. NOV 11, 2014 || SHED SOME LIGHT: ...on non-24 disorder
  12. OCT 18, 2014 || CPAP CENTRAL: A Season for Masks: Smaller Might Be Better
  13. JAN 2, 2015 || DEFINITIONS: What is normal sleep?
  14. NOV 4, 2014 || SHED SOME LIGHT: Are insomnia and winter depression linked?
  15. MAR 24, 2015 || INSOMNIA: Why is it linked to depression?
  16. JUL 24, 2015 || SLEEP STUFF: Smartphone apps for sleep
  17. SEP 20, 2014 || GUEST POST:  Edward Grandi on Sleep Apnea: What is it and what can I do about it?
  18. JAN 17, 2015 || ALTERNATIVES: Sleep better when you have the flu with these tips
  19. DEC 18 , 2014 || VISIONS OF SUGARPLUMS: Alcohol is NOT the sweet dream fairy
  20. FEB 17, 2015 || ALTERNATIVES: Valerian, aka "Nature's Valium" -- safe to use, effective? You be the judge
  21. MAR 11, 2015 || INSOMNIA: On Sleep State Misperception, with Dr. Robert Rosenberg, DO
  22. DEC 17 , 2014 || VISIONS OF SUGARPLUMS: Sleep Disorders 101: NS-RED and NES, Sleep Eating Disorders
  23. FEB 17, 2015 || ALTERNATIVES: Aromatherapy
  24. MAR 17, 2015 || INSOMNIA: The problem with insomnia forums
  25. APR 23, 2015 || JUST BREATHE: Hope2Sleep's "Dangers of Untreated Sleep Apnoea" infographic 
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29 June 2015

JULY is Sleep Products Month at SleepyHeadCENTRAL--Introducing SLEEP STUFF

There's a burgeoning market for sleep products that can't be ignored, so SleepyHeadCENTRAL is spending July calling attention to some items that have recently captured attention. SHC will discuss seven categories of products this month, including the following:

  • Anti-snoring devices
  • Smartphone apps
  • CPAP maintenance products
  • Nightstand items
  • Light therapy
  • Wearable technology
  • Books on sleep

READERS
Please note that SHC does not have the capacity or ability to "road test" many consumer products. Product highlights, examinations or reviews posted at SHC are for consumer education only; when products have not been tested, they are primarily mentioned as possible options for some readers.

You, as the consumer, are ultimately responsible for your own buying decisions, and SHC encourages consumers to research sleep health products thoroughly and independently. Because the market for these kinds of products is so spectacularly wide, SHC's aim is to show readers that there are many options out there. Your best move as a consumer is to make the most informed choice for your particular situation.

If readers want to learn more about a specific sleep health product, and SHC has not yet examined that product, they are invited to leave SHC a message at sleepyheadcentral@gmail.com and SHC will add these requests to its growing list of consumer options to review in a future post at SHC. Thanks!

Including product highlights, examinations and reviews on the SHC site prompts some important legal language to be shared here to protect SHC and its readers. Please note the following disclosures and disclaimers below. They are applicable not only to SHC and its agents, but to all others participating independently in discussions about these products on the SHC site, which may include patients and healthcare professionals.
  • SHC does not, as of the date and time of this post, have any longstanding or preexisting relationships with any product manufacturers.
  • The process of selecting products for highlighting, examination or review in posts at SHC is random and driven by SHC's own curiosity and exposure to new items as seen on the Internet, at trade shows, at conferences and at other incidental events.
  • SHC will always report how or whether they received any product, if it is highlighted, examined or reviewed at the site.
  • A future highlight, examination or review of any product on SHC constitutes no special relationship between SHC and any product manufacturer. SHC simply decided to write about it.
  • SHC reserves the right to post both positive and negative reviews of any given product, but only if these products have actually been tested by SHC.
  • If SHC receives free products or free meals or gifts from product manufacturer representatives, that does not mean SHC will write and post highlights, examinations or reviews about these products, nor does it imply any endorsement of these products from SHC either in the digital world or the real world.
  • If SHC receives material compensation (products, cash, gifts, meals) after highlighting, examining or reviewing a product independently, SHC will report this new affiliation to readers.
  • Sometimes SHC receives free items in the mail; sometimes SHC asks for samples. SHC will let readers know in either case.
PRODUCT MANUFACTURERS
If you have a product you would like SHC to learn more about, you may send your product with all manufacturing and usage information to SHC at the address below. This does not guarantee SHC will use, examine, review or highlight your product in the future. But if you really think it's something that SHC readers could benefit from, feel free to send it along, and SHC will take a look. Products given freely to SHC will never be resold, but they may be given away freely to third parties, including readers, sleep health professionals or family members of friends for the purposes of testing or examining. This form of sharing does not imply endorsement of these products by SHC. 

SleepyHeadCENTRAL
321 High School Road NE
PMB 204, Ste. D-3
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110



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SleepyHeadCENTRAL strongly encourages people with ongoing sleep health problems to approach a medical professional to determine appropriate differential diagnoses and treatment. This post, like all other posts on SHC, is not intended to substitute for medical advice.  
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22 June 2015

GUEST POST: Thoughts on over-the-counter sleep aids, by Amy Korn-Reavis RRT, RST

Is there an Easy Answer to Insomnia?
by Amy Korn-Reavis RRT, RST

We are all looking for that easy solution to staring at the ceiling at night. A pill that will allow you to fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow. 

We have also heard about the issues with the prescription medications that are prescribed. Some physicians are refusing to prescribe sleep aids and some insurance companies are unwilling to pay for them. 

We then turn to over-the-counter medications to help us get to sleep.

The most common ones are ones that contain antihistamines. You know the ones that have 'sleep' or 'zzzz' or 'som' in their names. They use two very common antihistamines mixed with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen to help reduce pain. They are used because drowsiness is a common side effect. 

The issues with these are multiple. You can build up a tolerance to the medication, and an increased dose will cause other health issues such as liver damage, increased sinus swelling, and sensitivity to the medications. 

Another issue is known as rebound. You take yourself off the medication and the insomnia you were worried about increases as soon as you stop taking the medication. 

If you are going to use any of these medications, please follow the directions. Be aware: you should never use these medications for more than 3 days consecutively; you most likely will experience rebound after you take it, then stop using it.

Melatonin is another popular over-the-counter sleep aid. It is a natural hormone that our brain makes when we are exposed to darkness. As we get older we produce less of this hormone. Does it work? That depends. It might help you, unless you are on a medication that blocks melatonin production, or if you do not turn out the lights before bedtime. If you are going to take it, you need to take it and then turn off the lights and go to sleep. It works best when you take it sublingually (under your tongue). You should also start with a low dose such as 1 mg; you should not go higher than 3 mg unless your physician prescribes it for you. There is not enough research on melatonin to show it is safe to use at higher doses.

Teas that help you sleep, such as chamomile tea, are thought to help you relax. The heat of the tea alone can be relaxing for some people. The chamomile herb itself is also believed to help; however, there is little research to support his.   

Supplements that help with sleep--such as L-theanine, CoQ10 or manganese--are thought to help people to relax and fall asleep. While this may be true for some people, it is not true for everyone. Usually it works if you happen to have a low level of the supplement in your system. If you are an average healthy person, then these supplements will not change your sleep onset.  

There is no such thing as an easy answer when it comes to sleep problems. The newest research has found that changes in behavior, with the help of a good counselor who specializes in sleep disorders, appears to be the best help for insomnia. 

We need to remember that achieving quality sleep depends upon relaxing, getting that exposure to quiet and darknes, and getting a little exercise in the morning, all things that will help you best achieve a good night sleep every night.  

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Amy Korn-Reavis is a registered repiratory therapist (RRT) and registered registered sleep technologist (RST) who has worked in the health field since 1986. She is also the coordinator of the Polysomnography program at Valencia College, where she helps to instruct the next generation of sleep technicians. She is also the founding president of the Florida Association of Sleep Technologists. She currently manages the sleep lab at Emery Medical Solutions in Orlando, Florida.
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28 February 2015

Alternatives || Guest Post: Using yoga to achieve relaxation, sleep and stress management [David Schaar]

Sleep technologist and respiratory
therapist David Schaar in a headstand

SleepyHeadCENTRAL.com recently chatted with sleep technologist and yoga studio owner David Schaar (RPSGT, RST) about the value of practicing yoga to improve both breathing and relaxation for better sleep.

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SHC: There are so many types of yoga to practice as well as a wide range of sleep disorders. Which styles of yoga are generally better suited for helping people with sleep disorders, and why?

DS: I think of them as "systems" of yoga. There is yoga for athletes, geriatrics, kids, autism, dancers, runners, etc etc etc. To me personally, yoga is yoga. Of course, a good yoga instructor will modify the practice based on a particular group of participants.

The word yoga means to "yoke." Yoking the breath, body and mind is yoga. Yoga without the breath is simply calisthenics.

The breath is three parts: nose breathing only (if available); complete inhale, filling the lungs to maximum; and complete exhale to the bottom of the lungs, then smoothing it out.

In yoga, you use the Ujjayi breath, sometimes called the ocean breath. You simply press the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth behind your teeth and drag the breath through the nose, and then drag it back out (as if you were to fog a mirror only through your nostrils). This is a longer breath than normal, deeper than normal, and takes focus and concentration, which is abnormal. If you are focused on just the breath you cannot think of anything else. In yoga, we call that "meditation in motion."

I think a yoga class that challenges you physically (body) while focusing on the breath (mind) is the best yoga. You choose your level within any class. In other words, as you move through the flows and poses, you skip, take breaks, pace yourself and BREATHE. Think of it like a buffet, only a yoga buffet. If you go to your local buffet style restaurant, eat everything on the line twice and later get sick, you can't blame the chef. The same is true with beginning yoga or any yoga.

SHC: Do you think the positions (asanas) in yoga are at the core of its effectiveness as a therapeutic practice for sleep health, or is it the breathing (pranayama) in yoga that is more beneficial? Or is there something else at work besides these which makes the practice itself beneficial?

DS: For me it is all about the breath. The physical movements can be considered a byproduct of the yoga.

Of course, we want to be fit and strong. Yoga offers us strength, balance, flexibility, stamina and, most importantly, equanimity. What makes yoga the most beneficial is learning to relieve stress. Or, better yet, not producing stress.

The number one killer of women is heart disease. Most studies on heart disease conclude that stress is a factor; some studies conclude stress is the number one factor in heart disease as well as other diseases. Where is stress stored? In the mind.

In yoga, you practice calming the mind (breath) while in a stressful and/or difficult situation (yoga poses/yoga flows). As you progress in your practice and begin to be comfortable with the new breath (Ujjayi), you will learn to calm yourself as you hold any given pose that might, at first, challenge you.

Eventually the point is to take that practice off the mat and into your world for increased calmness and happiness and stronger health.

I'll give you a personal example. In my town, we have new roundabout traffic circles. When you are in the circle, you have the right of way and everyone else has to yield. When I slowly move into the circle and then the person in front of me stops suddenly and motions to the car yielding to "go ahead," my blood pressure goes up. I can choose to yell at the person--"Keep going, you're not supposed to stop!"--or I can choose to take a breath, be patient and move along calmly.

Which way is better for my stress level, for my health, for my happiness?

Another example of how yoga can help you in your everyday life: When your boss comes down the hallway with smoke coming out of his/her ears, red faced and pissed off at something, instead of getting hyped up/stressed, you can learn to breathe and calm yourself. When the boss approaches, your cool head will think more clearly and be better able to work through any stressful situation he brings with him.

SHC: Describe a yoga practice that might be most beneficial for people with sleep disorders.

DS: I believe a well-rounded, solid yoga practice 4-6 times a week is most beneficial.

If someone with a sleep disorder doesn't have a yoga practice or doesn't want a yoga practice, a good yoga discipline would be meditation.

This is simply sitting either in a chair or on the floor, cross legged, hands on your thighs, palms up or down, crown of the head reaching for the ceiling as you sit up straight, with eyes closed while using the Ujjayi breath (ocean breath). Deep, slow breathing. Focus just on the breath, follow it from your nares (nostrils) deep into your lungs and back out again.

Try this: Take 10 of the deepest breaths you have ever taken; during the last five breaths, list five things you are grateful for today. A daily meditation of gratitude can change a life. Each day, add five breaths and attempt for 10-30 minutes of quiet time, just you and the breath.

Did you know 90 percent of the people you encounter every day use 10 percent of their lung capacity 90 percent of the day? Including you. We need to change that.

SHC: Are there any links to clinical evidence or recent studies on the efficacy of yoga as a sleep health aid that you'd like to share?

DS: I don't like the hundreds of articles on "the top 10 poses for insomnia" because who knows which poses are best for whom, and at what level?

A new study indicates that yoga can help improve sleep among people suffering from chronic insomnia. Researchers at Harvard Medical School investigated how a daily yoga practice might affect sleep for people with insomnia and found broad improvements to measurements of sleep quality and quantity. In my opinion it is all about that breath linked to the movement.

SHC: How frequently must a person practice yoga to see its benefits?

DS: Practice once a week to feel good, three times a week for improved fitness, four or more times a week and change your life.

SHC: What advice would you give to someone who is looking into yoga as a practice for the first time? Should they use DVDs, are there good books, or are classes the best option? Tips for finding the class/instructor that best represents how yoga can help with sleep health?

DS: My belief is a yoga studio is best. Being in a room of like-minded people with energy helps keep the practice fun, different and active. But that can be tricky in today's yoga world.

If you live in an area with multiple yoga studios, I would look for the introductory offer and take advantage of that in different studios until you find the one that resonates with you. In my opinion, a studio that offers vinyasa flow, power yoga and/or hot yoga (yes, hot) is where to begin.

If you don't have yoga in your area, there are many people online that offer classes on a monthly subscription. Most of these are around $15 a month and a great bargain if you use them. These are live recorded classes, so it is as if you are in the class, sort of.  If you don't like it after a month you can stop. I like PowerYoga.com with Bryan Kest.

If you aren't challenged on the mat, you won't be able to practice equanimity, which is calming the mind while in a difficult position or circumstance. Learning to be calm, patient and less reactive will increase your health and happiness as well as make you fit along the way. Many diseases begin in the mind. By relieving stress and tension, we become healthier people. With yoga, becoming stronger, more balanced, flexible and having more stamina are the byproducts.

SHC: What else would you like to share about practicing yoga as a therapy for treating sleep health disorders?

DS: Learning to live in the present, in the moment, instead of reliving yesterday or living in the future, worrying about tomorrow, will benefit everyone. There is so much to learn in a mindful, consistent yoga practice, it is hard to touch on all of it.

Let's talk about the number one sleep disorder affecting 40 million people in the U.S. alone--insomnia. Physical exercise of any kind will help release endorphins and help to reduce stress. Yoga is one of these physical exercises with the added benefit of learning to slow the mind and release the mind chatter. Practicing this daily can help many people get a handle on insomnia. I'm one of them.

See you on the mat. I'll end with this famous quote: "The job of a yoga instructor is to bring people to a deep point of relaxation. This is what people want and this is what people need." ~ Linda Schaar, RRT, RPsGT, RST and my yogi

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 David Schaar, RPSGT, RST, practices yoga and leads classes with his wife at their studio, Vibrant Life Yoga. His sleep website is SleepRiteOnline.













A friendly reminder that links to websites offering products does not imply endorsement by SleepyHeadCENTRAL.com.

SleepyHeadCENTRAL strongly encourages people with ongoing sleep health problems to approach a medical professional to determine appropriate differential diagnoses and treatment. This post, like all other posts on SHC, is not intended to substitute for medical advice.  





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