Are you having trouble sleeping?
If so, then you aren’t the only one. Did you know that 35 % of adults don’t get the recommended seven hours of sleep per night? That is startling and unfortunately, many people live their lives in perpetual drowsiness without doing anything to improve their sleep habits.
“Everything you do, you do better with a good night’s sleep.” – Dr Michael Breus
Sleep is central to living a healthy life, both physically and mentally. But why can’t people get to sleep?
About 30 % of adults suffer from some form of insomnia, a disorder that prevents people from falling or staying asleep. There are several forms of insomnia and knowing which one is affecting you is the first step to recovery.
- Acute― Brief and isolated instances
- Chronic―Long-term difficulty falling asleep, usually 3 nights per week for 3 months
- Comorbid― Connected to a deeper mental or physical condition
- Onset― Inability to fall asleep at the beginning of the sleep cycle
- Maintenance― Inability to stay asleep, waking throughout the night
People who suffer from one of these forms of insomnia are usually dealing with the effects of some other unhealthy habits. Insomnia is generally linked to:
- Stress
- Poor sleep habits
- Depression and/or anxiety
- Dietary habits
Most people turn to the use of sleep medications when they are trying to solve their sleep issues.
Studies have shown, however, that sleep medications can be more harmful than helpful due to their long list of side effects. There are safer and healthier options out there that sufferers of insomnia can use.
Hypnotherapy- a useful non-medication option to help with insomnia
Hypnotherapy is the combination of hypnosis and therapy. A Hypnotherapist will spend part of the session talking to the client while they are fully awake and for the remainder of the session, the client will be guided into a trance state for the hypnosis component.
The hypnosis will be aimed towards precise, outcome-oriented suggestions achieved through direct communication with the subconscious mind.
Hypnotherapy produces rapid results for changing beliefs, habits, choices or behaviours.
Early research indicates that Hypnotherapy is considered a cost-effective and safe intervention with limited side effects and may help people with insomnia and other sleeping problems.
Sleep hypnosis involves therapeutic suggestions targeted to sleep. For example, hypnotherapy may encourage a person to feel less anxious about falling asleep or to follow a more consistent sleep schedule.
Small studies have identified modest sleep benefits from hypnotherapy. In one study, the suggestion to “sleep deeper” during hypnosis prompted increased slow-wave sleep which is important for physical and mental recovery.
Hypnotherapy may reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, both of which are strongly correlated with sleeping problems. It has been employed to treat pain as well, which can also cause an interrupted night’s sleep.
The studies on the effects of hypnosis on sleep have been primarily positive, with 58.3% of studies showing it to be a viable remedy. Subjects have been shown to get 81% more deep sleep and 67% less time being awake.
What else can I do to improve my sleep?
Insomnia is a complex issue and mostly a symptom of something else rather than a primary problem. Environment, diet, exercise, medical health, routines are all contributing factors.
You may have fixed one part, but sometimes work needs to be done on other areas too.
Hypnosis for sleep may be combined with other types of treatment. For example, it can be used alongside Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), a form of counselling that reframes negative thinking about sleep. Sleep hypnosis may also promote sleep hygiene improvements to develop healthier sleep-related routines such as:
- Stopping caffeine within 4 hours of bedtime
- Stopping alcohol within 3 hours of bedtime
- Ditching Digital Devices within 1 hour of bedtime
- Kissing the sun for 15 minutes every morning
- Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fibre, protein, healthy fats and non-starchy carbohydrates
Conclusion:
While Hypnotherapy is a promising treatment, more clinical studies are needed to establish its sleep benefits.
An analysis of the existing research found that the majority of studies reported improved sleep in people receiving hypnotherapy, but larger, more robust studies will be necessary before it can be considered a standard treatment for sleeping problems.
To sleep peacefully at night and to create a happy and calm future, through the use of Hypnotherapy, contact Marcelle, at Enlighten My Health, by clicking on this link: http://bit.ly/callwithMarcelle
Resources:
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-hypnosis
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. For medical advice always consult your physician. The information provided in this blog is based on the best knowledge of the author at the time of writing and we do not assume liability for the information within this blog, be it direct or indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages.