High on the list of symptoms that new clients frequently discuss with me is insomnia (the inability to sleep) or restlessness (the inability to sleep through the night). Typically, they all have several lifestyle issues in common: emotional overload or high levels of stress; consuming too much caffeine, and eating processed foods high in cane sugar, high fructose corn syrup, white flour, and white rice.

Many of them have also used doctor-prescribed sleeping pills, causing a drowsy effect, which then leads them to consume even more caffeine in order to feel awake during the day. It usually becomes a painful and vicious cycle whose root, we have discovered through sessions with The LifeLine Techniqueâ„¢, has many subconscious emotional components.

Sleep deprivation affects the body’s immune system and can speed up the aging process and the onset of metabolic or hormonal imbalances. In addition, the effects of lack of sleep include irritability, blurred vision, slurring of speech, short-term memory lapses, anxiety, panic attacks, an inability to concentrate, and hallucinations.

What’s most clear is that there is a direct correlation between the quality of your health and the quality of your sleep. To rest is to re-store your body, mind, and spirit. The act of sleeping not only allows your body to heal, it also enables your mind to process and integrate your life experiences. How well you rest also is impacted by whether you drink enough water, eat healthy foods, exercise daily, and own your power.
Steps for getting a good nights rest

• Establish a set time in which would like to be in bed and asleep;
• Turning off the TV at least 30 minutes before your planned bed time;
• Spending 15 to 30 minutes winding down by making the time to be quiet, meditate, read, journal, or listen to soft music;
• Performing deep-breathing exercises to facilitate relaxation; (You can find several in The Power of Infinite Love & Gratitude, pp. 190-193)
• Taking a hot bath or shower, or sit in a sauna before bed;
• Reserving your bed for sleeping, rather than using it as an alternative site for working, watching T.V., or studying; and
• Use a sleep system with magnetic and far-infrared technology to enhance deeper states of REM sleep and balancing the body’s thermostat.

Sleep is a wonderful tool to increase the potential of the body’s natural healing capacity. Making sure you receive quality rest and relaxation is one of the most significant steps you can take to reduce the stress of modern living. When you rest is when you restore!

Copyright 2009 Dr. Darren R. Weissman for www.InfiniteLoveandGratitude.com