Health & Life Magazine March 2017

HEALTH IN QATAR
THE NATURAL WAY TO BEAT INSOMNIA:
MEDITATION
You glance at the clock beside your bed. 2am.
You’ve been tossing and turning for three
hours, unable to relax and sleep. Does this
sound familiar? Perhaps you’ve tried all the
recommended insomnia-busing tips, like having
a hot bath, drinking a calming cup of chamomile
tea and putting lavender on your pillow, in vain.
But what about meditation? It turns out this ageold
practice can encourage your mind and body
to relax into a deep sleep.
SLEEPING:
VITAL FOR YOUR HEALTH
Sleep isn’t just about relaxing, it is a vital
part of your wellbeing. According to a study
funded by the National Institute of Health,
the brain detoxifies from the byproducts
of its daily mental processes during Rapid
Eye Movement (REM) sleep. This is also the
time when you’re most likely to experience
lucid dreams. Memories and knowledge are
consolidated during deep sleep. Not getting
enough sleep results in a toxic build up
within the brain that can lead to brain fog.
What’s more, your body uses sleep to repair
and rejuvenate – your immune system can be
significantly weakened if you’re not getting
at least 7 or 8 hours of sleep a night. And
we have all experienced the irritation and
fatigue that comes from lack of sleep. That’s
why it is important to tackle insomnia head
on, and this is where meditation is helpful.
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HEALTH AND LIFE