There are some people who feel that the main cause of depression is a disruption of the body's circadian rhythms. Some believe that our body clocks no longer run our bodies. We wake because our clock radios or cell phone alarms tell us to, not because the sun has come up. We sleep because we have accomplished what we want for the day, not because the sun has set. We work indoors instead of spending our time outside where we, as humans, began. Due to this arrhythmia, our bodies are not aligned right-- this unbalances the levels of hormones, neurotransmitters and other chemicals that form our moods. When these hormones are out of balance a person will suffer from Circadian Rhythm Disorder (CRD).
Researchers have studied CRD for a while. They generally agree that those who suffer from some types of depression can be made to feel better by making some lifestyle changes that will enhance their mood and lift their spirits. A well-balanced lifestyle that includes sunlight, sufficient sleep and good food will give a person a lot of energy and put them in a good mood. The ability to correct this disorder gives the sufferer the potential outlook of a healthy, happy person.
Circadian rhythms are what the body uses to manage appetite, vigor, rest, sexual arousal, and mood. So, when the body's rhythm is out of kilter, a person suffers mood disorders and depression. The good thing is that this is a known issue: continued research has shown how to put the body back in balance. Studies have proven that realigning the circadian rhythms of the body can reduce away depression.
The study of the body's circadian rhythms has been around since the nineteenth century. As more evidence of the importance of the body's natural clock became apparent in the 1960's, study intensified. The science that studies circadian rhythms this is called chronobiology.
Studies show that when the body is out of balance it can cause depression, and disorders of mood, sleep, and eating. By the 1980's, continuing research demonstrated that without a balance of light and dark, the hormones and natural body chemicals were not released properly and so were confusing the body's signals.
The outcome of this research is light therapy, which has proven to have good results. People need more exposure to natural sunlight. We had this exposure in the past, before we built houses that blocked out natural light. Humans require more than can be given in the minutes between leaving the house and getting into the car.
Some people use alternative, natural ways to lessen the effects of their sleep disorder. Many people focus on diet and nutrition, while others use herbs and supplements. Still others believe in the positive effect of exercise, relaxation and sensory techniques, meditation or behavioral and cognitive strategies. Often people use a combination of these approaches to help alleviate the symptoms of their sleep disorder.
A healthy diet is essential for optimal energy and a restful sleep. Avoiding certain foods is as important as including others in your daily diet. Eating a wide variety of foods and drinking plenty of water will keep your body well- balanced and provide a more stable energy level. Avoiding food that is grown, treated or processed with chemicals, and limiting the amount of sugar and caffeine will also help your overall physical condition. Many foods promote a restful sleep and are helpful in relieving some of the symptoms of certain sleep disorders. Eating the proper snack before bedtime can increase natural serotonin levels. Serotonin acts as a natural sedative and is made in the body from the amino acid tryptophan. Foods that a re rich in tryptophan include chicken, turkey, cheese, cottage cheese, fish, milk, nuts, avocados and bananas.
Many people use herbs and natural supplements as an alternative approach to treating their sleep disorder. There are many nutritional supplements and herbal products on the market. It is important to know how a specific product acts on the body as well as on the specific sleep disorder.. For example many people with restless leg syndrome have an iron or folic acid deficiency. Taking an iron supplement may alleviate some of the symptoms of RLS. Many herbs are well known for promoting a natural sleep. A clamming tea of chamomile or lemon balm can be very relaxing to many people that suffer from a sleep disorder.
Exercise and relaxation techniques, whether used alone or together, can reduce stress and muscle tension. Many people that use these techniques to lessen the symptoms of a sleep disorder do these before going to bed. They not only ease physical tension but they calm the mind and prepare the body to sleep. These techniques include mindful exercise, progressive muscle relaxation, breathing exercises and yoga.
Meditation and visualization are also used by some sufferers of sleep disorders to calm the body before sleep. Two common forms of mediation are meditation on the breath and mantra meditation. Both of these types can have a positive effect on relieving stress and calming the body. Many people focus their energy on a healing visualization as a method of alternative therapy for their sleep disorder.
Sensory techniques that people use to lessen the symptoms of their sleep disorder are hydrotherapy, and aroma therapy. The two main techniques included in hydrotherapy, which means water therapy, are relaxing in an Epsom salt bath and a lymph stimulating footbath. Aroma therapy includes the use of therapeutic essential oils in baths, massage oils, room sprays, and simple inhalants.
Alternative behavioral and cognitive strategies used to combat the symptoms of a sleep disorder include improving a person's sleep hygiene, stimulus control therapy and journal writing.
Alternative practices and techniques can help many types of sleep disorders. Often they are used in conjunction with traditional medication and practices.
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