Conquer Your Sleep Disorder in 7 Steps

If you are one of the many who have trouble falling asleep during the night and then begin to feel sleepy in the day in the middle of a meeting, you may just have a sleep disorder that you are not aware of. Adequate sleep is extremely essential for the proper functioning of the body.

Sleep deprivation can cause various physical issues like chronic fatigue, lack of focus, wrinkled skin, reduced capability of making decisions and short attention span. Long term issues that can surface, if sleep disorders are not addressed, include weight gain, reduced metabolism and heart diseases. 

The Approach to take to Combat Sleep Disorders 

The first thing that you should do is to try and understand the real reason for the sleep disorder that you are facing. If you have an underlying medical condition like breathing issues, kidney failure, endocrine problems or heart diseases, treating the medical condition can help you get rid of the sleep disorders as well.

In case the sleep disorders are a result of to the arrival of a baby or a transatlantic trip that you've undertaken, don't worry as these are temporary phases that will soon pass. However, if the sleep disorders seem to exist for no particular reason and you feel that it is stress and

pressure that are not allowing you to sleep, here are some tips that you can follow.

The 7 Steps towards Freedom from Sleep Disorders 

1.    When you lie down in bed, make sure that you switch off your mind and stop thinking about what happened at work and the manner in which you will solve the problem the next day. Engage in some relaxing activity. You could consider reading a book (a non thriller novel like a classic may be a better option than a fast paced novel that will keep you from sleeping), listening to soft music or counting sheep.  

2.    Try the progressive relaxation technique. Lie on your back with both hands on your sides and concentrate on your toes. Relax them and feel the muscles that go from tense to the relaxed state. Move upwards to your calf muscles and your thighs, concentrating on each muscle at a time. Continue to relax each muscle. Make your way upwards to the stomach, abdomen, chest, arms and head. By the time you cover all parts of the body, your entire frame shall be relaxed and ready to sleep (if you have not already fallen asleep, halfway through). 

3.    Learn some breathing exercises that can help in curing sleep disorders. Deep breathing helps in relaxing the body and brings in a harmony in the muscles. These breathing techniques are an essential part of yoga, the ancient Indian spiritual exercise and medical routine.  

4.    Some say that closing your ears and listening to the jingling in your ears can help you relax and slip into slumber. 

5.    Acupressure, an ancient Chinese technique tells us that lying on the back and pushing toes in the direction of the face helps in relaxation of the entire body. This is some kind of a stretch exercise that helps in relaxing the body and before you know it, it can send you off to dreamland. 

6.    Visualizations are known to be extremely powerful and effective for various things. Relaxing yourself and then creating pleasurable images in your mind can help you drift off. Make sure that you do not start visualizing exciting things so that you become completely awake. 

7.    Meditation is one of the most effective ways in which you can call upon the sleep fairy to pay you a visit. Clear your mind and focus on your breathing. Once you control the racing thoughts and shut them off, sleep shall follow. 

Each one of these simple steps that have been provided is effective. However, you may want to check the one that is most effective for you in particular and adopt it as sleeping technique and weapon against sleep disorders.