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Winter Naps Elude Millions Of Americans

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While the possibility of a long winter’s nap sounds very soothing during the fast-paced, stressful holiday season, the reality is that millions of people struggle through the holidays deprived of restful, restorative sleep. The 80 million Americans who suffer from sleep disorders find that their insomnia worsens during this hectic time of the year. Jam-packed schedules, increased sugar intake, economic stress and the desire to make “everything perfect” for your family can negatively affect your ability to get the amount of sleep you need.

The inability to get a good night’s sleep is not something to be taken lightly during the holidays or any other time. Insomnia has been linked to major disasters like plane crashes, traffic fatalities and serious work related injuries. According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 100,000 serious automobile accidents a year are caused by driver fatigue.

Lack of sleep can also lead to health problems, including obesity. A study conducted at Columbia University found that people who sleep five hours per night are 75% more likely to become obese than those getting seven to nine nightly hours of sleep. People getting six hours of sleep are 27% more likely to gain weight than people who get the recommended amounts.

Because insomnia is so prevalent, prescription sleeping pills are prescribed by the millions and most of them have negative side effects such as sleepwalking and next-day drowsiness. They can also be habit forming. That being the case, millions of Americans have chosen to treat their insomnia with natural remedies.

One of the most popular natural supplements used by people with sleep problems is melatonin. In fact, more than 20 million Americans use melatonin supplements to help them sleep. Sometimes referred to as an “all natural nightcap” melatonin is a natural body hormone produced by the pineal gland (a pea-sized structure at the center of the brain). Melatonin is believed to regulate the “circadian rhythms” in the body. Many studies have supported the use of melatonin supplements in shortening the time it takes to fall asleep and reducing the number of times a person wakes up during the night.

Talk to your holistic practitioner about other natural ways to improve the quality and quantity of your sleep. There are numerous natural remedies that can help you get the rest your body needs to function at peak performance so you can enjoy every single minute of the holiday season. So fluff up your pillow, snuggle down under the blanket and settle down for a much-deserved long winter’s nap. Sweet dreams.