What exactly is Insomnia?
Of all the ailments that are part of the modern era, those to do with sleep are particularly traumatizing. Sleep is not just a physical need of the human body. It is also the ‘down-time’ that the brain needs in order to function at optimal capacity. The technical term for chronic sleeplessness is called insomnia.
Insomnia is a sleep disorder. The name has its roots in Latin, from somnus, meaning ‘sleep’. Insomniacs are people who have trouble falling or staying asleep. It gets worrying when the body needs the relaxation that sleep brings, but the mind continues to stay awake. Those who manage to get a few hours of sleep often awake feeling fatigued. This kind of exhaustion makes it difficult for you to perform well. In the worst cases, chronic insomnia can cause numbness and headaches. It can also lead to hallucinations and stress.
One in every seven Canadians has trouble with sleep. A worrisome number in the population does not receive an adequate amount of sleep at night. Not all of these people are insomniacs. However, the frequency at which the sleeplessness occurs defines whether it is actually a disorder. Insomnia can occur indiscriminately of age, but it often mostly occurs in those aged fifteen or older.
What causes Insomnia?
Insomnia can be caused due to a variety of reasons. Some of these are short-term, which cause short bouts of insomnia. Some are deeply rooted in the mind and can cause large spells of sleeplessness and fatigue. Some of the common reasons insomnia is attributed to are:
- An irregular sleep schedule: Not having a proper sleep schedule actually messes with your body’s circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm is the body’s built-in clock. The body requires the discipline of a proper time to sleep every day. A minimum of six hours of sleep is necessary for being rested.
- Lack of exercise: Intense body fatigue can lead to pain and physical stress. This can cause sleepless nights and restlessness. If the body is not receiving its share of exertion, it may be more prone to exhaustion. Studies have shown that exercising releases endorphins in the brain that make you happier and feel fresher.
- An imbalanced diet: Your diet has a large effect on your body’s performance. A healthy diet is necessary for proper functioning. Obesity is also a large factor for insomnia as shown by surveys.
- Frequent air travel: Jet lag, while seemingly a symptom of insomnia, is a large cause for insomnia. Traveling between different time zones also messes up your body clock. This affects your natural sleep cycle.
- Stress and anxiety: Studies have shown that worrying about not falling asleep can cause sleeplessness. Anxiety makes the brain hyper-aware. While the brain is so awake, sleep becomes hard to attain. Mental stress is a huge factor for insomnia.
The effects of Insomnia and its treatment
One of the insomnia cases we came across was of twenty-eight-year-old Gemma. Gemma is a creative advisor for a marketing company. That means that she often has to spend nights working at her office. Mostly she manages to make time for herself and get proper naps. However, Gemma came into the clinic with a very bad case of insomnia. She admitted to having sleep problems, but none of them had been this worrisome.
Gemma had been a victim of restless sleep for more than seventy-two hours. This was taking a huge toll on her daily activities. She found it impossible to concentrate and constantly lost her train of thought. She started seeing black spots in her vision and developed dark circles under her eyes. Oftentimes, a person suffering from insomnia has trouble keeping track of their actions. This is because the brain goes into hyper-drive, but the body is too fatigued and lacks the energy to put the idea into practice. This causes a lot of emotional and physical stress.
When Gemma came into Pillars of Wellness, she was put under the care of a Naturopathic Doctor. Like many people, she was unaware of the benefits of naturopathy as a treatment for insomnia. Naturopathy is becoming popular as a new therapy. In reality, it is a healthcare treatment that has been around for centuries.
Naturopathy and its benefits
Naturopathy, or naturopathic medicine, works on the basis that the body has a natural ability to heal itself. You do not need to be suffering from a particular disease in order to try naturopathy. Naturopathy is a branch of alternative therapy in healthcare. It works for those with insomnia because it offers a healthier alternative to medication. Naturopathic medicine is a more nature-friendly treatment. It works on the simple knowledge of what the body needs and should get.
Insomnia is caused by an imbalance in the body and the mind. Naturopathic treatment helps ease that imbalance by providing you with a healthier course of action. Any imbalance is the result of the body not getting its due nutrition or sleep. A naturopath aids you in the understanding of your body’s needs. One of the best things about this treatment is its holistic approach to rejuvenation.
Naturopathy is a certified branch of medicinal therapy. It is only carried out by specialists. A naturopathic doctor must be aware of the inner workings of the body. On the other hand, they should understand the social habits of their patients. A naturopathic doctor will examine you completely, noting your lifestyle choices and habits. They would then advise you on the best course of action for the particular ailment you are suffering from.
At Pillars of Wellness in Burlington, Gemma was provided with a full course healthcare plan by the end of her treatment. The treatment was a way to keep her body healthy even under the extreme stress of her job. With a proper schedule, all the social, emotional and fiscal requirements of her life could be made easier. Naturopathy is a way for your body to understand itself. Be kind to your body and your mind. Visit a naturopath today and see what you can do to live the best version of your life.
