In a previous post, I mentioned the diseases that result from or are exacerbated by prolonged periods of sleep loss.  Namely, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and even death.  Short term affects include moodiness, anxiety, increased chances of having an accident and lack of focus.

So if counting sheep isn't working for you, you may want to try one of these natural remedies.  It's best to try one at a time.  That way you'll know which one is working.

• Chelated Magnesium - acts as a natural muscle relaxer, 500 mgs/day
• Wild lettuce (supplement) - calms restlessness, reduces anxiety, 30-120 mgs before bed
• Hops (supplement) - the same hops found in beer, this supplement helps with anxiety and insomnia, 30-120 mgs
• Aromatherapy - pure lavender spritzed on your pillow case before bed induces relaxation
• Hot water bottle - placed at your feet draws the energy down out of your head to your feet
• Melatonin - a natural hormone that controls sleep, low doses recommended to supplement at 0.3 - 0.5 mgs
• Yoga-Meditation/Prayer - gentle stretches followed by meditation or prayer with deep, abdominal breathing
• Suntheanine (supplement or food) - L-theanine is an amino acid found in green tea that increases energy during the day and a sense of calm at night, 50-200 mgs
• Valerian - improves deep sleep and helps induce sleep, 200-800 mgs before bed.  Valerian can have an energizing effect.  If that happens, take in the morning rather than at night.

Questions? Leave a comment, email us at kat@YourInfiniteWellness.com or visit Health.com for more information.  Sweet dreams!
  

Due to an oil spill in our house last year, my husband and I were evacuated to a hotel for 35 days. With our dog.  It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.  One thing I'll never forget is having such a limited wardrobe to pick from.  All of our clothes were sent to the cleaners to remove the odor of oil.

I had 3 pairs of pants, 6 tops, a pair of sneakers, one pair of black shoes and one pair of brown. I'm a bit of a pack rat when it comes to clothes, so I thought it was going to be a nightmare having so little to choose from. It turned out to be quite liberating. It saved a lot of time too. I didn't have to stand in front of the closet wasting precious minutes wondering what to wear. 

When we moved back into the house and the cleaner returned our clothes, the first thing I did was determine whether or not I really needed each item.  I say "needed" and not wanted because the two are very different things.  

Cleaning up your surroundings, whether it's your cache of clothes or your kitchen table (hope my husband isn't reading this because that's his pet peeve), is a huge stress buster.  Whenever we see clutter, it causes us to feel anxious and stressed out.  Our natural instincts want us to live in a harmonious, healthy environment.  Spring cleaning clears out not only your physical environment, but your emotional one as well.  So the next time your stuff starts piling up, call your local charitable pick up service and donate the things you don't need to someone who does.

Menopause happens naturally at the end of a woman’s reproductive life.  So why wouldn’t we treat the symptoms naturally?  Modern day science is always looking for ways to do things faster and easier, and I applaud this effort.  However, the problem with this system is the so called “cure” is often more hazardous than the original health issue.  

Most women now know that hormone replace therapy (HRT) carries far more risks than benefits.  And now they’re opting for natural alternatives to help treat the symptoms they experience during menopause like hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings.  Here’s a few options to try if you’re looking for relief:

Diet:  Your diet is one of the most important tools you have in your toolbox.  Avoid caffeine (coffee, chocolate, tea, soda, energy drinks). Carbonated beverages contain phosphorous which also increases the risk of bone loss. Limit the amount of meat (beef, pork and chicken) because the saturated fat decreases your body’s ability to metabolize estrogen.  Avoid sugar: Sugar in its raw state as well as food that converts to sugar quickly (alcohol, overcooked pasta, processed foods) lowers your immune system.  

Foods to add in to your diet include: whole grains, oats, wheat, brown rice, almonds, cashews, whole fruits and vegetables.  Soy in moderation is also a good option if you don’t have a history of thyroid problems.

Our bodies are equipped with an internal intelligence that allows it to repair and heal itself if given the proper conditions and natural tools.  Cortisone shots do not fit into this equation.  These injections are given frequently without concern for the long term side effects and its impact on the human body.

Somehow we’ve lost sight of the fact that inflammation is an essential function that aids in healing the body.  Unfortunately, our medical system is set up to suppress this vital component for healing. We’ve been brainwashed into thinking inflammation is bad for us.

The primary job of inflammation is to detoxify and repair the affected area.  When our bodies are operating efficiently, we’re not even aware that it’s happening. In cases of chronic inflammation (also known as secondary inflammation), the purpose is not to detoxify and repair, but to protect the cells from
destruction.  The cells are then able to adapt and compensate for the ongoing problem. 
 
Cortisone suppresses inflammation by stopping our natural immune response.  The perceived benefit is pain relief because in cases of chronic inflammation there usually is pain.  The problem with this is that cortisone interferes with the natural immune response to inflammation, namely to detoxify, repair and protect.  Over time, the shots become ineffective and leave the body exposed to other problems that can and most likely will occur.  It’s like disabling your smoke detectors when you live in an area prone to
wildfires.

The other thing to think about is our bodies have the amazing ability to compensate.  It’s why most of us
can go for long periods of time experiencing pain and not do anything about it until it becomes unmanageable.  Anytime we circumvent the natural process of healing, our system looks for a way to work around it.  Which means it’s now working twice as hard to resolve the problem putting the entire system under strain.  
 
And then there’s the side effects associated with any prescription medication.  Cortisone damages connective tissue by breaking down the fibrous connective tissue which support our joints, ligaments
and tendons (in effect weakening the surrounding area). Then theres water retention, elevated blood sugar levels (which may result in a pre-diabetic state or exacerbate an existing condition), suppresses the immune system, loss of bone calcium and decreases our ability to fight off viral, bacterial and
fungal infections.

So what’s a guy or girl to do?  Try complementary and alternative therapies first.  Acupuncture, chiropractic, naturopathy, herbology, homeopathy and supplementation are just a few alternatives to
research and experiment with.  Most of these therapies pre-date prescription drugs and have hundreds,  and for some, thousands of years of compelling evidence that they’re effective and viable
options for healing.  The other thing to keep in mind is when it comes to nature, it takes what it takes. There’s no quick fix if you want to do it right.  The upside is you’ll most likely be able to regain your health without added complications or side effects.  Be an educated consumer and weigh all your options before making a quick decision that will have long term affects.

On the January 4 edition of the Dr. Oz Show, Dr. Oz stated there's new research
that shows anti-depressants are not as effective in treating depression as
originally thought.  He says, "talk therapy is as good as taking a
pill."  Exercising, having a competent psychotherapist, light exposure
if it's due to Seasonal Affective Disorder and keeping away from sugar are also
viable alternatives.  Treating the underlying cause is key to resolving the
problem.  Personally, I have seen many people recover taking a well
prescribed homeopathic remedy.  If you or someone you know wants to change
to a more natural, holistic option, make sure to find a well respected
practitioner and to transition off medication.  Stopping meds before
getting the support your system needs is never advised.

Do you have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?  In the Northeast, people who have symptoms of this disorder start to experience it at this time of year.  As the days grow shorter and access to natural light becomes limited, a mild to severe depression can set in.  The worst part about it is, you may not know what’s happening to you.  Everything else in your life may be right on track, but for some
inexplicable reason, you feel blue.

It’s estimated that a half million Americans suffer from some form of winter-onset depression during the cold, dark season, with symptoms such as lethargy and fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, sleeping and/or eating too much, increased carbohydrate cravings which leads to weight gain, and a reduced interest in previously enjoyed activities, such as social interactions and intimacy. 
 
SAD is thought to be caused by a disturbance in the sleep-wake cycle. Less sunlight leads to higher levels of the hormone melatonin, which can affect mood.  Typical treatments for SAD include
  anti-depressant medicines which aren’t always effective and are known to have side effects.  Light or
phototherapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are also useful. Light therapy (exposure to special bright lights) can be effective in as many as 70 percent of those affected.

For unknown reasons, three-quarters of those affected by SAD are women.  And you know the saying, “if momma ain’t happy, nobody’s happy.”  So what's the best way to get back in balance?
 
From a holistic perspective, there are things you can do to combat the winter blues:

Increase Vitamin D3 in your diet or through supplementation or diet. Taking an additional 1,000 – 2,000 IU is now widely recognized by most physicians.  You can also add Vitamin D through food sources like milk, salmon, tuna, sardines or eggs (found in the yolk).  One of my favorite supplements is a liquid Vitamin D distributed by Carlson. One drop contains 1,000 IU!  Take advantage of 10% off at http://www.yourinfinitewellness.com/products.html.

Take a solar break.  Try to go outside during your coffee or lunch breaks to get exposure to natural light.  Take a walk or sit in a sunny spot for as long as you can spare.  If you have the means to get away for a few days, head south to someplace warm and sunny and take advantage of much
needed dose of sunlight.

Homeopathy can help. A homeopathic practitioner carefully matches remedies and dosages with an
individual’s symptom patterns and even individual personalities, in order to best stimulate the body's own natural healing response.  According to naturopathic doctor, Dr. Mark Stengler, remedies useful for
treating SAD are:

Aurum Metallicum.
Also known as metallic gold, this is a classic remedy for many of the symptoms associated with seasonal affective disorder, and is often prescribed for bouts of depression associated with a lack of sunlight. It may be specifically helpful for stress, tension and sadness. People in authority and those with a strong
sense of duty are good candidates for Aurum Metallicum. 

Ignatia.
Homeopathic physicians frequently prescribe Ignatia for symptoms of SAD and other types of depression, emotional distress, anxiety, moodiness and grief.  Perfectionists in particular, are likely to benefit from Ignatia. 
 
Natrum Sulphuricum.
This remedy especially useful for people with depression that grows worse with dampness. Natrum Sulphuricum is particularly well-suited to those who are sensitive to changes from dry to wet weather. 
 
Pulsatilla.
This homeopathic preparation from the windflower is most beneficial for individuals with gentle, sensitive personalities -- patients whose feelings are easily hurt and who tend to extend themselves in order to avoid hurting the feelings of others. In addition to using Pulsatilla for SAD, it’s often prescribes for anxiety, arthritis, headache and hormonal imbalances. 
 
Sepia.
Made from cuttlefish ink, Sepia may be helpful in treating the symptoms of SAD and other forms of depression and may be especially effective for those who are irritable, overwhelmed, exhausted and who have a tendency to isolate themselves from others.  It’s also useful for women with hormonal imbalances who may experience symptoms from PMS, menopause and peri-menopause.

If you’d like to learn more about homeopathy to see if it’s right for you, contact me for a complimentary
consultation.