The Lesser-Known Impact of Sleep Disorders
In my last post, I talked about the four main categories of sleep disorders. Let’s talk about how they affect your life. Adequate rest and sleep are critical for mental and physical health, and are required to function effectively in your daily life. A well-rested brain is necessary for optimal performance in processing, retaining, and […]
The Four Types of Sleep Disorders That Make Life Challenging
“Sufficient sleep is not a luxury – it is a necessity – and should be thought of as a vital sign of good health.” ~ Wayne H. Giles, MD, MS, Director, Division of Population Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. ———- It’s not uncommon for my clients to have trouble sleeping […]
Instead of Asking “Why,” Ask this Question to Improve Your Health
Every week I tell many patients that “why” questions are not important. Instead, we are going to be working on the “hows” of eliminating, or significantly reducing your insomnia, anxiety, nightmares, depression, or the symptoms associated with your pain challenges. CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is a powerful group of tools to help you get control […]
How to Have a Great Day When You’ve Slept Like Crap
If you’ve had a poor night’s sleep the last thing you should say to yourself is “I’ll have a perfect or incredible day!” This unrealistic self-talk will negatively affect your mental acuity, energy, and mood. Also, it’s just not being realistic, and you’ll know it. A better choice is to use a sleep mantra. Sleep […]
Common Treatments for Sleep Disorders
Sleep disorder treatments fall into a variety of categories, including sleep hygiene, psychotherapy, medications ranging from mild over-the-counter sleep aids to powerful sleep sedatives and hypnotics, and holistic approaches. It is not uncommon for two or more treatment approaches to be used concurrently. Sleep Hygiene Sleep hygiene is defined as the various practices put into […]
The Basics of Sleep
“Sufficient sleep is not a luxury – it is a necessity – and should be thought of as a vital sign of good health.” ~ Wayne H. Giles, MD, MS, Director, Division of Population Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. It’s not uncommon for clients we work with to experience difficulty […]
Sleep Promoting Nutrition
Three of the major foundations for mental and emotional well-being are nutrition, exercise and sleep. At the core, eating healthier, sleeping well, and staying active helps you cope with and rejuvenate from daily stressful situations. In addressing sleep issues specifically, some foods interfere with good sleep hygiene and other foods can better regulate neurotransmitters which […]
Don’t Let Sleep Deprivation Bring You Down
Many people catastrophize the issue of not sleeping well. Most patients suffering from sleep disorders actually sleep more than they believe they did, but since they remember waking many times throughout the night, the hours just don’t add up. In actuality, if you were monitored in a sleep lab, tracking every precious restorative minute and […]
Understanding Benzodiazepines: Risks, Effects, and Alternatives by Dr. Charles R. Freeman Ph.D
Millions of Americans are prescribed benzodiazepines each year to manage sleep disorders and anxiety. However, emerging research indicates that the use of these medications, especially in the long term, is not without risks (Baldwin et al 2013). This post aims to provide you with updated information on benzodiazepines and equip you with the knowledge to make informed decisions about your mental health and well-being.
Dangers of Prescription Drugs by Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D
A decade ago, in 2010, the Drug Enforcement Agency spearheaded a nationwide initiative to take back unused prescription medications. This move aimed to heighten public awareness about the potentially lethal implications of prescription drug misuse. Despite these efforts, the prevalence of misuse and its consequences remain concerning.