We humans spend one-third of our lives sleeping, and the other percentage for activities during the wake hours. It is vital for us to have enough rest to ensure good health and good performance in all the activities we need to do every day.
Sadly, many people have suffered from loss of sleep or sleep deprivation despite of being aware that they need enough sleep.
There are a lot of factors to this circumstance. One of them is work load. Most people nowadays stay awake even in the wee hours just to get their work and jobs done. They even probably would say that 24 hours in a day is not enough.
What are the possible bad effects of Sleep Deprivation?
Sleep deprivation can also occur when a person is taking medications. Certain drugs and medicines have effects that prevent you from sleeping. Aside from the different sleep-depriving agents, stomach pain can be one of the side effects of these medications.
Being deprived of sleep takes a great toll in your life. It has a great effect in your holistic health.
Your brain may not function well when you do not get enough sleep. You may suffer from memory problems and other cognitive dysfunctions. It affects the cognitive ability and emotional state that may result to stress, anxiety and depression.
It can also interfere with your balance. Your daily activity may be greatly affected because you feel restless, moody and irritable. Cognitive and emotional activities like decision-making can be greatly affected. Usually we land on bad decisions.
There is even a tendency that you sleep during the day. Your brain and body will force you to sleep even if you fight it.
There is even more danger in sleep deprivation. According to Harvard Medical School, sleeping less than five hours a night increases the risk of death by 15%. It can damage your immune system. You may develop other serious health conditions from this bad habit of staying too late and just sleeping and resting for a few hours. Some of these health conditions are diabetes, chronic heart disease, and even the dreaded cancer.
What simple remedy can be done for this condition?
A more natural way of allowing yourself to get some good sleep in by drinking banana tea.
The recipe is simple and does not take a lot of time to prepare.
The ingredients are 1 piece of banana (preferably organic), 1 pot of water, and a pinch of cinnamon (in case you want an extra flavor and aroma to your tea).
Follow these simple steps:
Cut the ends of the banana. Do not peel it.
Boil about 2-3 cup of water, then put in the banana. Let it boil for about 10 minutes.
Strain the brew in a colander and pour into a mug.
For extra flavor, add a dash or pinch of cinnamon.
What are the sleep benefits of this banana tea?
Banana is rich in magnesium and potassium, two elements know to help relieve muscles strains and help in relaxing the muscles. According to ancient-minerals.com, Magnesium helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system, and keeps bones strong.
On the other hand, the health benefits of potassium include relief anxiety and stress, as well as enhanced muscle strength, metabolism, water balance, electrolytic functions, and nervous system, according to organicfacts.net. With these two elements combined, the body will be urged to rest and be relaxed.
Why choose this recipe over prescribed sleeping pills?
Choosing a health remedy that’s more natural is, most of the time, better than what you find in pharmacies. People who suffer from sleeping disorders like insomnia and are desperate to get some good sleep tend to turn to sleeping pills. Sadly, these sleeping pills only give a short-term solution to this problem. Since the ingredients in these pills are synthetic, they can have a lot of side effects.
Some side effects include:
Burning or tingling in the hands, arms, feet, or legs; Uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
Changes in appetite
Constipation; Diarrhea; Stomach pain or tenderness; Gas
Dizziness; Headache, Daytime drowsiness
Dry mouth or throat
Heartburn
Difficulty keeping balance, Weakness, Impairment the next day, mental slowing or problems with attention or memory
Unusual dreams
With proper time management and strong will, you can achieve and bring back the sleep you have always wanted.
