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| I just want to catch a few Zs |
Sleep disturbances in chronic illness often are related to the larger problem of the inflammation and cellular damage that results from exposure to chemicals in our food and environment. Too many people count calories and carbs without every considering how important it is to count chemicals. I didn't give a single thought to how many chemicals I was exposed to on a daily basis until I got sick. While searching for ways to feel better, I learned I needed to detoxify my body by limiting my exposure to harmful substances. I found safer alternatives to cleaning products, cosmetics, and personal care items. I stopped eating highly processed food full of toxic chemical ingredients. I started eating lots of real food with
antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients.
My severe pain and fatigue symptoms dramatically improved. But my sleep pattern had been disrupted by this horrible disease for such a long time that I still had a problem with insomnia. I had to do some things to reset my natural sleep cycle clock. Be sure to check with your doctor before trying any plan that involves medications or supplements. Here is what I did. And it worked.
antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients.
My severe pain and fatigue symptoms dramatically improved. But my sleep pattern had been disrupted by this horrible disease for such a long time that I still had a problem with insomnia. I had to do some things to reset my natural sleep cycle clock. Be sure to check with your doctor before trying any plan that involves medications or supplements. Here is what I did. And it worked.
I stopped taking prescription sleep medication which I had been using to try to get at least a few hours of sleep each night.This type of drug is intended for only short-term use. It is not designed to be used for longer than a few weeks. Sleep induced by medication does not follow a natural sleep cycle pattern.
I took the over-the-counter supplement Melatonin for eight weeks. Melatonin has been shown to be effective in restoring the natural sleep cycle. It should never be taken for more than six to eight weeks.That is sufficient for resetting your natural biorhythms. Taking it for longer than that compromises your body's ability to produce natural Melatonin. Talk to your physician before taking Melatonin or any other supplement.
During the eight weeks I was on Melatonin, I created a bedtime ritual I could follow every night. After supper, I did not do any work related activities. I watched television, checked my Facebook page, and did other just-for-fun things until 11:00 p.m. I took a hot bath or shower before getting into bed. This helped me relax. I grabbed a book and read until I started feeling a little sleepy and then turned off the lights.In the beginning, I often read until 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning. After a couple of weeks, I was turning out the lights by 12:00 and sleeping until 7:00 or 8:00 the next day.
After eight weeks, I stopped the Melatonin, and continued the bedtime ritual I had established. I was worried the first night about how I would react without taking the Melatonin. But, I started reading at 11:00, turned out the lights at 11:30 and slept all night.I have been sleeping soundly ever since.
Before you attempt to reset your sleep pattern, it is important to detoxify your body first by eliminating chemicals from your environment and diet.You need to build up your body’s immune system and ability to take care of itself by eating natural whole healthy foods. If you are just beginning this process, hold on to hope. You can recover from fibromyalgia and a multitude of other autoimmune diseases by making lifestyle changes to get rid of chemicals. You can even sleep and dream again.
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