BalanceOctober2016 - 33


the

guide

FLOATATION
TANKS

Research indicates that
floating helps people
reach a meditative state,
calming the body and
preparing it for sleep.

HERBS &
SUPPLEMENTS

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES, SHUTTERSTOCK, STOCKSY

Some plants have
natural sedative
qualities and have
historically been used
as sleep aids.  

The high magnesium
sulphate (Epsom salts)
content in the water is
beneficial as magnesium
is known to regulate the
levels of calcium,
potassium and sodium
in the body, as well
as improve heart
health and keep
migraines at bay.  
'Floating reduces the
activity in the amygdala,
the fight or flight
response area of the
brain. This in turn
reduces the level of
stress hormone cortisol
in the blood, so it's easier
to sleep afterwards,'
says Edward Hawley,
co-founder of
The Floatworks
(floatworks.com).

Up to 70% of women
and 40% of men have
too little magnesium,
a deficiency which
leads to insomnia
and fatigue. 'This is
because modern food
preparation strips
it out,' says Holland
& Barrett head
nutritionist Alex
Thompson.
BetterYou
Magnesium Oil
Goodnight Spray
provides 150mg in
each dose. Spray
directly onto the skin
every evening and
massage in for best
absorption (£12.69,
hollandandbarrett.
com). Pukka's
Night-Time tea
(£2.49) and
supplements (7.45
for 30, pukkaherbs.
com) contains herbs
renowned for their
calming effects.
'Valerian and
ashwagandha are
traditionally used to
encourage good sleep
and reduce stress,'
says Pukka's Tom de
Pass. Nytol's Herbal
Elixir (£6.29, boots.
com) is a liquid sleep
aid, which promotes
calm and decreases
feelings of anxiety.

SH
BANI IVE
T
A
G
NE
GHT
THOU

NEUROFEEDBACK

This specific training helps
to stabilise the brain during
rapid shifts in sleep and can get
to the root of insomnia.
The process of monitoring
brain activity is known as
Neurofeedback. 'Good sleep
involves a lot of brain activity,'
explains Stuart Black, MD of
BrainTrain UK (braintrainuk.
com). 'The ability of the brain
to shift states is known as brain
regulation and is key to good
mental health and good sleep.
'During a session, the client
sits in a comfortable chair
with sensors attached to
their scalp. Brainwaves are
monitored and feedback is
provided through a video or
game. It helps problems such as
sleepwalking and night terrors.'

HYPNOTHERAPY

Once any physical causes of sleep
disturbance have been ruled out by a doctor,
it may be worth exploring whether stress or
negative thoughts are affecting your sleep.
Hypnotherapy can break patterns, including
broken sleep and dependency on sleeping
pills. Hypnotherapist Rosalyn Palmer
(rosalynpalmerhypno.com) says: 'Hypnotic
suggestions can reactivate the perfect
sleep habits you were born with, so sleep
"comes to you". It is recommended you
listen to a hypnotic tape for at least 21
days throughout the night.'

CREATE A PERFECT SLEEP ENVIRONMENT
Easy ways
to turn your
bedroom into
a zen den, by
sleep expert
Dave Gibson
(thesleepsite.
co.uk)

1.

2.

3.

should be 60-68°F. If your partner
prefers it warmer, buy a cooling pad
for your side. A warm bath two
hours before bed will raise your
temperature enabling a steeper
drop and a deeper sleep.

Using candles for the last hour
before bed is calming. Sleep in total
darkness and turn your alarm clock
away from you so its light doesn't
disturb you. If you get up in the
night, keep the lights off.

the best bed and mattress - and
bedding (preferably cotton) - you
can, as they are key components
of a good night's sleep. Also,
declutter your bedroom. It will
help to reduce night-time anxiety.

TEMPERATURE Your bedroom

LIGHTS AND ALARM CLOCKS

October 2016 BALAN CE

BEDS AND BEDDING Always buy

33
http://www.oatworks.com http://www.rosalynpalmerhypno.com http://www.co.uk
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of BalanceOctober2016
