Stress, economic woes, and personal issues can disrupt sleep patterns. But, you might ask, who needs good sleep and why is it so darned important?
Did you know sleep disorders affect millions of people? According to a national survey, 54% of adults said they have experienced at least one symptom of insomnia. Good sleep is as important to good health as diet and exercise. Poor sleep can lead to depression, health problems — even accidents.
Getting less than six and a half hours of sleep at night decreases our ability to fight stress says Dr. Daniel G. Amen M.D. in his book Making a Good Brain Great. He goes on to say, “Lowered sleep has been associated with diabetes and obesity. In our fast-paced society, we are often sleep deprived. In 1910 adults got and average of nine hours of sleep each night; in 1975 it had decreased to seven and a half; and in 2000 it has decreased further, to seven hours.”
Dr. Neil B. Kavey, director of the Sleep Disorders Center at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City has this to say about quality sleep “…sleep is an anabolic, or building, process. And we think it restores the body’s energy supplies that have been depleted through the day’s activities. Sleep is also the time when the body does most of its repair work; muscle tissue is rebuilt and restored.”
One of the ways we have of understanding why we need to sleep so much is to look at what happens if we don’t get enough sleep. It affects our personalities and our sense of humor, try telling a good joke to someone that hasn’t slept in a couple of days. We may become irritable and less tolerant and more likely to make errors. What parent hasn’t noticed their little one crankier without that afternoon nap?
Sleep disruption is technically called insomnia — a term used broadly to define “difficulty with sleeping” — and can take many forms.
There are three basic types of insomnia:
- Transient insomnia lasts only a few nights. It is often caused by jet lag, temporary stress, excitement, illness, or a change in sleep schedule.
- Short-term insomnia lasts up to three weeks. It often results from more prolonged stress or worries, such as financial troubles, death of a loved one, job change, or divorce. If not addressed, short-term insomnia may escalate into a chronic problem.
- Chronic insomnia, also known as long-term insomnia, lasts more than a month. It can occur every night, most nights, or several nights each month. Chronic insomnia is often caused by a medical problem; treating the underlying problem may alleviate the insomnia. Chronic sleeplessness may also be caused by bad sleep habits.
One of the most effective ways to treat sleep disorders is through the use of Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy. The American Medical Association in 1958 recognized hypnosis and hypnotherapy as a viable scientific modality, and a useful and powerful complimentary therapy. And in 1962 the American Psychiatric Association recognized that hypnosis was a viable modality for effective change.
The basic technique used in hypnotherapy for sleep disorders is to teach and reprogram the unconscious mind (the body’s control center) about having a really relaxing night’s sleep and suggestions (the primary tool of hypnosis and hypnotherapy) are given to your body to wind down as you prepare for sleep.
Most people who undergo hypnotherapy for sleep disorders will experience improved sleeping patterns. The changes in mood, personality and energy you feel as you wake up will be highly improved and chances are you’ll enjoy that joke just a bit more.
Would you like to learn how to help people with insomnia and other health issues? Become a certified hypnotist. Visit www.oregonhypnosisschool.com and register today!