Insomnia Treatment

There are numerous natural insomnia treatments that are both safe and effective.

Insomnia -- the inability to fall asleep, or stay asleep -- is one of the most common symptoms of anxiety, stress, and tension. Insomnia can also be one of the symptoms of depression, particularly when anxiety, or excessive worry and rumination is occurring. (For others with depression, there may be fatigue and excessive sleep).

Chronic insomnia lowers the quality of life, decreases concentration and energy level during the day, causes driving accidents and other errors in judgment, and can cause agitation and contribute to depression. It also lowers the immune system and can leave you vulnerable to all sorts of physical problems.

Insomnia is popular with the drug industry. The increase in T.V. commercials enticing us to take a pill to help us get a perfect night's sleep has made good paying customers out of millions of insomnia sufferers. The slick advertising of the pharmaceutical machine has convinced many people that something as basic to human life as simply sleeping, should require medication.

In fact, there are many natural, safe, non-habit forming insomnia treatments that really work.

First, let's identify some of the most common causes of insomnia:

• Anxiety
• Unresolved traumas or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Habitual Worry
• Stress and Tension
• Lack of exercise
• Working long or late work hours
• Inconsistent work schedule, swing shifts/night shifts
• Over-stimulation in the evening (TV, computer, too much news)
• Depression
• Unresolved guilt or fear
• Too much caffeine during the day, or drinking caffeinated drinks or eating chocolate in the evening
• Fear of nightmares

 If insomnia is chronic - that is, most nights, for weeks at a time, it is wise to get a good medical evaluation by a doctor to rule out any serious medical causes (such as thyroid conditions). 

My Top Recommended Insomnia Treatments:

• EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques)
  
• Eliminate caffeine - especially in the afternoon or evening.
• Eliminate alcohol use as a way of getting to sleep (this sets up a dangerous pattern of dependence, and usually results in waking up again in the middle of the night, still unable to sleep).
  
• Turn off bright lights, TV, and computer after sundown.
• Meditation, Progressive Relaxation and Yoga.
• Psychotherapy/Talk Therapy to resolve stressful life issues.
• Exercise (but not late in the evening)
  
• Herbal teas and herbal tinctures - chamomile, passion flower, hops, valerian root, skullcap and kava kava. L-Theanine (an amino acid that counteracts anxiety and induces a calm state). Contained naturally in green tea, and counteracts some of the energizing effects of caffeine.

If you have any health or physical issues or concerns, including insomnia, please see your doctor to rule out any serious health concerns before trying alternative approaches.

Santa Rosa Insomnia Treatment

Many of my clients have had success treating insomnia combining Energy Psychology with other approaches - specifically, a combination of EFT, Relaxation Training, and Meditation.Resolving emotional issues (which are sometimes unconscious and not obvious), is often an important aspect of resolving sleep issues.

Free Meditation CD provided to clients to use at home to induce a state of deep relaxation and to eliminate tension, worry and chronic stress.

Call for a free phone consultation to discuss your situation, and make an appointment at my Santa Rosa Psychotherapy office to get the sleep you deserve.

Ben Schwarcz, MFT

(707)326-5566
509 7th Street
Santa Rosa, CA 95401