Everyone experiences the odd night when you just can’t fall asleep.  But, about 68% of us have regular bouts of insomnia.  That’s a very serious health issue when you understand how a healthy brain is supposed to function 

When you fall asleep your brain cycles through 3 different brain wave levels over the course of about 90 minutes.  During normal sleep, you do this at least 3-4 times a night: Alpha-->Theta-->Delta-->Alpha-->Theta-->Delta.  As you switch from Delta back up to Alpha cycle, your brain becomes more alert and you may then wake up or need to go to the bathroom  

When you are awake and alert, conscious thought produces Beta brain waves oscillating at 12-14 cycles per second.  But, as you fall asleep, brain waves decrease

At 7.8-11 hertz (Alpha State), you begin to dream.  Then brain waves drop to Theta (5-7.8 hertz), and then Delta brain waves, oscillating at 3.5-5 cycles per second  

 

Alpha brain waves occur during dream state and when you are doing something involving your senses, emotions or creativity.  Alpha brain waves are in absolute harmony with the earth's own wave length.  It is rather like hacking into the universe's software!  It opens you to wisdom and inspiration far beyond analytical modes 

 

This open creative state helps you resolve the day’s issues and solve problems.  So, this sleep phase is critical for your emotional balance and mental wellbeing.  Actually oscillating through four short stages, alpha brain waves de-code the Delta state

 

Delta occurs in deepest sleep or when in a trance.  During this time your body repairs and regenerates itself both physically and psychologically.  Delta sleep is so deep that you do not hear noises and will not wake up if, for example, there was a fire.  

  

 

During Delta sleep, most cellular regeneration takes place, so this phase is also critical to your health.   But, when you take sleeping pills, your brain falls into a deep sleep and you do not experience all brain wave cycles, especially the dream phase.  That is why you wake up groggy and don’t feel truly well-rested

 

There are at least 10 reasons why people have trouble falling asleep, or staying in a restful sleep:  

 

#1 STRESS  When under stress, your body releases adrenaline, so your brain cannot shut down.  It rehashes the events of the day, what you have to do tomorrow, dynamics of your relationships, etc.  We have lots of wonderful essence remedies designed especially for stress and anxiety relief!

 

RESTFUL essence remedy is our specially formulated sleep aid remedy.  It isn't a drug, and while it does help you relax and fall asleep, RESTFUL's main purpose is to train your brain to shut down its hyper-activity when you go to bed, so that you can fall asleep naturally  

 

We tested Restful in a sleep apnea clinic, using electrodes to monitor brain function.   RESTFUL started working the very first night, with 96% quality of sleep achieved by the third night.  For the most challenging insomniacs it can take up to 6 nights to retrain your brain to fall asleep and cycle properly.  RESTFUL allows for a much better quality sleep, and you wake up refreshed and alert after 8 hours.  If you awaken during the night, you can fall back to sleep very readily

 

 

 

 

Image 1 shows sleep while under the influence of a sleeping pill.  There is only 1 dream period and mostly deep sleep.  The individual needed almost 9.5 hours of sleep to feel rested.  Sleep quality was assessed at 88%  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image 2 reveals the sleep pattern of a person who has trouble sleeping.  Almost 9 hours of sleep was needed, with only 1 dream period, and mostly deep sleep.  Sleep quality is assessed at 86%.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image 3, recorded on the 3rd night of using RESTFUL, shows completely normal sleep.  There are 3 dream states and 3 periods of deep sleep, with a 90% quality of sleep over only 8 hours.  The person awoke at 7AM feeling refreshed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#2 MINERAL DEFICIENCY  Stress depletes minerals in your body, causing it to become acidic.  An acidic body feels stress more readily.  It’s a vicious circle!    

Increase B-complex vitamins to counter stress, and magnesium to relax muscles  

 

Our living essence remedy STRESS BUSTER is helpful at bedtime to reduce adrenal stress.  Spray a little on your shoulders to relax tense muscles and dissolve built-up adrenaline.  Add 3 spritzes in the mouth.  You’ll feel relaxation begin after about 10 minutes.  STRESS BUSTER promotes relaxation and holds you in the present moment, so you are less likely to maintain an over-active brain.  If you also use STRESS BUSTER during the day to counter-act stress, you will be less likely to have an overactive brain at bedtime

 

#3 FIBRE   Studies have shown that when you increase fibre in your diet by as little as 25%, sleep quality greatly improves.  We’ve tried it and it really works!  We think it is because of the correlation between mental and physical digestion.  If you are having a problem processing or ‘digesting’ your feelings and experiences, you will have a problem digesting or processing your food.  Try eating a bran muffin or two every day!  

Stress-relief essences such as FLOW, SUPPORT, CONTROL RELEASE, I AM FLEXIBLE, RESCUE & REVIVE, and CHILL OUT can help calm digestive/mental processes

 

#4  LIGHT  Your body needs the rhythms of daylight and night to function properly.  Light fools your brain into thinking it is daytime and you need to be awake.  Light stimulates the pituitary and thyroid glands, affecting circadian rhythms, which then disrupts production of seratonin and hormones.  Seratonin is linked to mood, emotions, sleep and appetite.  Light so easily affects you at night that horse breeders routinely leave on lights in the stable in order to stimulate hormone production and quickly bring mares into estrus.  So, remove night lights and use black-out curtains in your bedroom!  

 

#5  BAD SLEEP HABITS  Bad sleep habits are equally disruptive to your body’s circadian rhythms.  Your body naturally wants to go to sleep about 2 hours after sundown, and wake up at first light.  If you go to bed late and get up late, you force your body off these natural rhythms.  This is why jet lag and shift work as so disruptive to proper sleep

 

#6  LACK OF EXERCISE AND FRESH AIR  If you are not active, your body does not feel the need to rest.  In addition, you need sunlight in order for your thyroid gland to function properly.  Ever notice how you sleep better when out in fresh air for a few hours?  When you can’t get outside, supplement with Vitamins C & D and kelp

 

#7  WATCHING TV & MOVIES  When you watch disturbing or exciting visual media such as crime dramas and reality TV, world news, video games, or thriller movies, your body releases adrenaline in response to the stimulus.  That's because your brain can't tell the difference between real and imagined threat.  Adrenaline keeps your body in a state of hyper-alertness, so you can’t fall asleep.  Reading suspense novels at bedtime has the same effect.    

STRESS BUSTER can help!  But, better to give yourself a ‘negativity diet’ and stop watching negative TV shows!

 

#8  HEAT  Since night temperatures typically drop, this naturally signals your body that it is time to go to sleep.  Lower the temperature by at least 3 degrees in your bedroom at night and in the evening turn down the thermostat in your home at least 1.5 hours before bedtime  

 

#9  SUGAR  Refined sugar has the same effect on the brain as cocaine.  Even when eaten early in the day, sugar can still create an adrenal response that will affect your ability to sleep  

 

#10  FENG SHUI  The science and art of Feng Shui studies the nuances of nature and our environment and how this affects our wellbeing.  A combination of science, design and psychology, Feng Shui seeks balance and serenity in our environment to produce peace of mind and body  

 

Feng Shui principles recognize that the bedroom should send a message of relaxation and regeneration.  After all, you spend literally 1/3 of your life in the bedroom seeking relaxation, sleep and physical/psychological restoration.  So, it needs to be the most comfortable, inviting, supportive, comforting, and self-nurturing room in your home.  

 

Your bed should be optimally comfortable, with a solid headboard to convey support and safety.  Make certain your bed and pillow support your posture and style of sleep. Colours should be relaxing and comforting, fabrics luxurious and inviting.  Linens and bedding should be of soft natural materials.  Avoid synthetic materials, as they do not allow your skin to ‘breathe’, and that can stress your whole body

 

 

There are certain items that do not belong in a bedroom if you want a restful sleep.  You should never have a TV, a library of books, a computer, desk, or phone/cell phone in your bedroom.  These things signal your brain to become active.  As well, TV’s, cell phones and computers emit frequencies that are very harmful to your cells.  If you are exposed at bedtime when most cellular regeneration takes place, you create unnecessary health risks 

 

Cell phones are also harmful to relationships.  Their presence in the bedroom infers that your attention is not fully on your partner

 

In Feng Shui, the direction your bed faces and its positioning in the room can very much affect your subconscious, and therefore your quality of sleep.  Everyone has a ‘good’ compass direction—a direction you face that makes you feel more alert, in balance, and in command.  You feel best when you face this direction to eat meals, play competitive board games, study or work, and sleep.  To find your best direction, consult a feng shui book, or simply sit quietly for a few minutes in different chairs placed around your dining room table, so that you face each of the 8 different compass points, one at a time.  There will be 3-4 directions that feel better or more comfortable to you

 

Your headboard should ideally be in your best direction, in a commanding position so that you can see the door from bed, but don’t feel like your feet are going to be pulled out the door.  This gives you a feeling of safety when in bed.  You should not be able to see into a mirror from your bed.  Also, there should not be a fan above the bed.  Spinning blades unsettle your body and don’t allow you to feel safe.  Keep your bedroom door closed at night, so that energy is not rushing in from hallways to unsettle you

     

CLUTTER  is another important principle of Feng Shui.  In feng shui, your home represents the different aspects of you, and your life.  A cluttered house = a cluttered, confused mind and body that isn’t letting go of the past, and places unnecessary obstacles to your future

 

Clutter or hoarding delivers a subliminal message of obstacles and overwhelm.  Clutter makes you feel tired, overwhelmed and unable to cope.  It is a major cause of stress and relationship discord.  Clutter causes brain fog, procrastination, underachieving, lethargy, wasted time, inefficiency and low self esteem.  More importantly, clutter prevents your brain from functioning in an organized manner, and that results in stress and constipation.  Take a look in your child’s bedroom and see if clutter might be a cause of poor grades at school   

 

When clearing clutter, start with your bedroom, or the entrance to your home.  When that is completed, tackle closets, drawers and under the stairs.  Don’t neglect the basement and attic.  These areas represent your subconscious mind.  Be prepared for corresponding mental shifts when you de-clutter, and choose appropriate flower essence remedies to assist with your transformation.  We recommend BREAKING BAD HABITS combined with STRENGTH & RESOLVE to help you tackle your clutter more easily.  SUPPORT essence can help with feelings of overwhelm