Sleep/Lotus Hypnotherapy

sleep disorders

Why is sleep so Important

Our parents, teachers, and scientists tell us that sleep is important from an early age. That we should all be getting an 8hour window of sleep a night.  In today’s busy technology-saturated world, however, it can seem near impossible to fit those 8 hours into our working day.   And experiencing a deep and restful sleep for 7-8 hours is a distant memory.  Throughout the developed world 2/3 of adults are not getting enough sleep

If you think about it on an evolutionary scale, pretty much all animal species sleep. Even though sleeping makes us vulnerable to predators and takes time away from feeding ourselves and our family.  This point alone gives an indication of how important and essential sleep is to health and well-being.

“If sleep does not serve an absolutely vital function, then it is the biggest mistake the evolutionary process has ever made”  Dr. Allan Rechtschaffen.

Sleep is the time when the body is able to cleanse the mind. This enables it to stay in prime condition, allowing us to recuperate and consolidate our memory and learning.

Lack of sleep can lead to a whole host of negative health issues. Too little sleep significantly impairs the immune system, leading to a higher risk of cancer.  Short sleep habits can lead to cardiovascular disease and strokes. Sleeping helps regulate hormones that control whether we feel hungry or sufficiently full.  Stoping the snack cravings that lead to an increase in weight.  Which in turn can lead to obesity and diabetes.

Too little sleep has also been linked to and is a key factor in whether you will develop Alzheimer’s disease later in life.  Lack of sleep also contributes to conditions such as anxiety and depression.

What can we do?

So what can we do to help combat the epidemic of sleep deprivation?  We can all improve our sleep by having a good bedtime routine. Switch off your electronics and don’t have them in your bedroom for a couple of hours before slumber.  Don’t eat and drink, especially products containing caffeine and alcohol near to your bedtime.  Find a restful and calming activity before your head hits the pillow, such as reading, listening to music. You could take up journal writing or meditation.

For some, sleep can still feel distant and unobtainable.  In these circumstances, you could be suffering from a form of anxiety or a build-up of stress leading to insomnia.  Sometimes we need to address the anxiety to help improve our sleep.  Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is a mixture of psychotherapy and relaxation techniques. Proven to help decrease the anxiety and stress that we are feeling leading to a better night’s sleep. Helping to reduce the stress in our lives further and improve health and wellbeing.