On March 25, 2012 there was a very good article Don’t wake up, Australia – our $ 5b sleep disorder by Jim O’Rourke published in the Sun-Herald in Sydney Australia, containing some well researched information about the cost of sleep, the adverse effects of sleeping pills, and tips for a good night’s sleep.

Hoorah for some quality research on sleep disorders being published in the general media!

Here is some of the published data:

Sleeping Pills

• “US research reported in the British Medical Journal has shown that people who take sleeping pills as little as twice a month are three to four times more likely to die in the next 2 1/2 years.  People taking more than 132 pills a year have a 35 per cent increase in cancer.”
• “The study’s authors say the drugs could increase problems related to sleep apnoea – including high blood pressure, heart failure and cardiovascular disease – and cause night-eating disorders that lead to poor diet and obesity.”
• It is probably not new news for our readers to see that “‘hangover sedation’ could impair motor skills, resulting in more car crashes and falls”.

Sleep Solutions

Here are some of the Disturbing Statistics around Sleep Disorders:

Source:  The Sun-Herald March 25, 2012

The Lancet Study:  Chronic Insomnia, The Lancet, 2012

Deloitte study:  Re-awakening Australia:  The Economic Cost of Sleep Disorders in Australia

Given the huge impact on people’s health and the associated health and psychological costs of lack of sleep (and other sleep disorders) it is very disappointing that we have so little of our medical and health budget spent on sleep education and preventative initiatives.

And there is a lack of interest in helping people decipher exactly what their underlying issues are with their sleep disorders.

Apart from exercise and psychological issues they include bad diet, dehydration, food intolerances (and our poor food labeling laws), the side effects of drugs (both prescription and otherwise), withdrawal from medications, the misuse of alcohol, being overweight, age-related issues, stress in its many forms (relationship, mortgage, work, etc), other health issues, etc.

For many people the underlying causes can be quite complex to work out, and sometimes the underlying issues are a combination of factors.

The fact that insomnia is a symptom of something else (or more than one ‘something else’) still hasn’t registered with many people, who are looking for a quick fix to cover up the symptom of insomnia – without addressing the underlying issue(s).

That is certainly not a permanent sleep solution.

Sleeping Pills are commonly prescribed for sleep disorders and insomnia.

However, as an insomnia sufferer you need to know about sleeping pills before you start taking them.

I’ve spoken to many pharmacists and doctors who express their concerns that individuals actually come to them looking for the ‘quick fix’ to their sleeping problems, and actually ask for sleeping pills to be prescribed.

It is not always the health professionals that are doing the wrong thing.  And in many cases, in a short consultation, it is very difficult to cover the many questions that are relevant to be asked to establish the underlying reasons behind each case of  ’insomnia’.

In fact, there are many questions that need to be asked to ascertain the underlying reasons for insomnia and sleep disorders, some of which include – but are not limited to:

• Do you have food intolerances?
• Do you exercise daily?
• What sort of stresses are you under at the moment?
• Do you suffer from any psychological problems, such as anxiety, panic attacks, depression, etc?
• What medications are you taking at the moment?
• What are the side effects of the medications you are taking?
• What are the side effects of the combinations of medications you are taking?
• What supplements are you taking?
• Are you withdrawing from any drugs or substances at the moment, including sleeping pills?
• Do you have other health issues?  Thyroid problems?  Hormonal imbalances? Are you in pain?
• How old are you?  Adolescent, teenager, mid-life, mature age?
• Are you overheating in bed?
• What methods have you tried in the past to resolve your issues?  Did they work?
• Do you have relaxation time each day?  Nap?  Meditate? etc
• How is your hydration?
• How long have you had the sleep disorder?
• Was your sleep disorder triggered by an incident?
• Have you any allergies?
• Are you intolerant to salicylates and amines?
• Are you intolerant to airborne perfumes and/or VOCs (Volatile Organic Chemicals)?
• Is your insomnia seasonal?
• What time do you find it difficult to sleep?  Difficulty falling asleep?  Waking up in the night?  Waking too early in the morning?
• How happy are you?  Do you have a rewarding job?  A great primary relationship?  Good friends who have quality, in-depth, and real conversations?
• Do you have breathing difficulties at night?  Do you suspect you have sleep apnea?
• Do you snore?
• Are you a shift worker?  Change your sleep time often?  Suffering from jet lag?
• Are you overweight?
• Do you have a balanced, healthy and good diet?
• etc etc – the list is substantial!!

This is just a sample of the sorts of questions that you need to ask yourself to establish your underlying problem.

And the responsibility for your health ultimately lies with you, of course.

Yes, it is challenging investigating the research, finding out quality information, ascertaining what IS that quality information.  Even the experts disagree on many issues related to sleep, stress, psychological conditions, and the diagnosis and treatment of different issues.

And it is absolutely possible that if you suffer from sleep disorders there might be a number of problems underlying your situation, not just one.

And yes, it takes effort and dedication to get through some issues.  And we need to recognize that as a reality.

“Simple” solutions aren’t always that….  simple solutions!

Here’s a video extract, taken from the Sleep With The Experts training program that will help you understand some of the concerns that surround taking sleeping pills:

More detailed information can be found in the Sleep Mojo ebook.

Here is an excerpt from the Sleep With The Experts training program with Sue Dengate explaining how to know if you have a food intolerance.

The video lists the symptoms that might indicate that you have a food intolerance.

And then, if you suspect you do, then is that food intolerance effecting your sleep?

In order to establish exact details about the foods, chemicals, colourings, additives etc that are effecting you it is best to get expert help.

An elimination diet is the generally preferred method, where all potentially nasty substances are eliminated from your diet, and then reintroduced back one by one, under careful supervision – so that the exact substances can be isolated as the offending substances.

Food additives etc are addictive, and do have withdrawal symptoms – so that it why it is generally recommended that you seek out professional help to do this process.

For more information about the Sleep With The Experts training program, go to http://www.SleepWithTheExperts.com

A new report released yesterday by the Sleep Health Foundation counted the cost of sleep disorder related issues to Australia.

Some of the statistics revealed:

The fact that sleep disorders contribute to other diseases and injuries is not new news, but the figures are.

The proportion of each condition attributable to a sleep disorder is as follows:

• 10.1% of depression
• 5.3% of stroke
• 4.5% of workplace injuries
• 4.3% of motor accidents

The report found that sleep disorders cost the Australian economy $ 5.1 billion/year in health care and indirect costs.

And a whopping $ 31.4 billion per year if you count in the loss of “life quality” associated with sleep disorders.

The ‘Re-awakening Australia’ report was commissioned by the Sleep Health Foundation, conducted by Deloitte Access Economnics and funded by untied grants from Philips Home Healthcare Solutions, Resmed Asia Pacific Ltd and Fisher and Paykel Healthcare.

Timely news for people coming to the Sleep Mojo Live Seminar in Sydney tomorrow.

There are still spaces available (at the time of writing), click Sleep Mojo Live to attend.

Its the day after Christmas 2011 and I’m relaxing with friends, but thought I’d let you listen to an interview I did very recently with psychologist Victoria Kasunic.

Victoria will be a special guest at the Sleep Mojo Live Seminar in February in Sydney – and many of you have expressed an interest in hearing what she has to say.

She’s an experienced Sydney psychologist with her own private practice, but has also worked behind the scenes on the recent TV programs “Go Back To Where You Came From” and “Making Australia Happy”.

In this interview I’ve asked Victoria a range of questions that I’m sure you’d like to ask too. What do psychologists do? When is it appropriate to visit a psychologist? How do they work? How do you find a good one?

Putting the psychologist on the couch, so to speak! Ha ha.
Oh, I really did want to know if you lie down on a couch by the way, and yes, I did ask.

Click here to find the interview with Victoria Kasunic

Victoria has some very helpful information, I recommend you listen to the interview.

I’m hoping to see you in Sydney in early February for Sleep Mojo Live. Have you booked?

I’ve just put a new page up about the emotions that can effect sleep.

You know that there are a lot of factors underlying (‘scuse the pun) sleep disorders, and emotions are a significant reason for sleep disorders.

If you go to Getting Emotional About Sleep Disorders you’ll find the following:

• A list of reasons why people can’t sleep
• A list of emotions that get in the way of a great night’s sleep
• Examples of emotions that we deal with at work, at home and in the family situation that might keep us from sleeping well
• Some questions that might lead you to look at what you do, and how you react when presented with some emotionally troubling situations
• Solutions directed towards different emotions that are associated with your sleep disorders.

It is important to recognize and do something about your emotional problems.  It is also important to put your emotions into perspective.  e.g. everyone has some rough times in their life, there are good and bad things that happen in everyone’s lives.

Deciding what level of importance you place on the problems and emotions is vital – so that balanced solutions can be found.

Remember, there is always help if you ask for it.

And keep in mind that if you are depressed and don’t know where to turn, please contact one of the professional depression lines that is available in your country, Lifeline, Beyond Blue, Kids HelpLine etc.

If we didn’t feel, we wouldn’t be human.

In the comments below tell us if you found a great solution to an emotional problem you had or have – it would be great for everyone to be helped by your experience.

Warmly

Elizabeth

Media Release

The current publication from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) features a study into loss of work performance from insomnia that estimates that the human capital value was $2,280 per person per year.  If Australian workforce figures for sleep deprivation reflected these it would equate to about $ 19.5 billion annually.

Other studies highlight the connection between fatigue and road and industrial accidents (with the related insurance costs).  Other sleep deprivation costs would need to include the costs of behavioral problems and intellectual debt associated with childhood disordered breathing during sleep, and the effect sleep deprivation has on anxiety and depression.  Then there are studies linking it to coronary conditions, weight increase, elevated blood pressure, memory retention, even our sex lives.  The cost is very significant.

Insomnia is always a symptom of something else.

Elizabeth Shannon in her book Sleep Mojo says that identifying the underlying problem behind insomnia is the most important step towards finding your tailored solution.

“Many people don’t realize it is quite complicated”, Shannon says, “they think that the problem is insomnia itself, and the solution is a pill of some kind – either prescribed or otherwise.”  The truth is very different.

By identifying individual sleep patterns and habits often lead to an accurate assessment of what might be their best sleep strategies, instead of trial-and-error experiments.  And predictably there are general health strategies that suit all insomniacs.

“I understand the frustrations of lack of sleep, and the poor information that is available, and I’ve put together a weekend workshop Sleep Mojo Live educating insomniacs, not just to help them identify their underlying problem, but matching all-natural solutions to those problems”.

Distilling down 12 years of research, she’s isolated 10 different insomnia types, based on her 80/20 rule, and will suggest methods to help each type sleep better naturally.  The sleep solutions range from diet and exercise, proven psychological techniques, to neurologically based information and research.

“I’m confident that this seminar will be ground-breaking, with some of the latest information disagreeing with conventional wisdom in the sleep industry” Shannon concludes.

The Sleep Mojo Live Seminar will be held at North Sydney Leagues Club on February 4 and 5, 2012.  The cost is a $ 30 USD donation to the Youth Off The Streets charity.  To book go to http://www.SleeplessNoMore.com/sleep-mojo-live.  Limited seating available.

Media Release

As if staying awake half the night wasn’t enough!  Now they’re telling us all the adverse side effects of lack of sleep – everything from coronary disease, reduced immune systems, higher blood pressure, greater chance of diabetes, increased risk of anxiety and depression, greater risk of putting on weight and even a greater chance of cancer (with long term shift work).  And finally there’s your decreasing libido.

Well, of course it’s hard to go to sleep, and even harder to get turned on, when you think you’re about to die!

The good news is there is finally a book that outlines, in basic terms, the factors behind sleep disorders, the reasons underneath them, and natural strategies that can be used to overcome sleeping problems.

Sleep Mojo, the book recently released by Elizabeth Shannon summarizes sleep disorders into 10 insomnia types, and presents possible natural solutions matched to each insomnia type. While giving a general overview of the industry and some of its misconceptions, Sleep Mojo provides some common sense solutions, help with psychological difficulties, and includes a variety of solutions including neurological information.  Some natural solutions might surprise you, including latest research findings that seem to conflict with generally held sleep principles.

Shannon believes that “identifying the underlying problem behind insomnia is the most important step towards finding your tailored solution”.

And refreshingly taking a pill or a potion might not be your answer!  “We have an oral fixation with sleep”, she jokes. “What happened to exercise, proper eating and work/life balance”?

But sleep isn’t a joke, it is vitally important, and costing our families, relationships, work and economies a fortune – apart from the havoc it causes to our health.

“The book talks about things that the industry is avoiding, but after 12 years of sleep research and a 30 year interest in personal development and alternative health, it’s time the story was told” Shannon says.  “I’m not happy with the conversations about sleep, and the days where natural meant ‘hippy’ are over”.  “By the way, I’m not pushing herbal remedies as the ultimate solution either.”

It is a very readable but well researched book.  You’ve lost it, now get it back, your sleep mojo!

Sleep Mojo, which contains about 150 live links to access further research, is available as a downloadable ebook here: http://SleepMojo.com

Do you find it difficult to sleep when you travel?

I’ve put some quick videos together that might help you sleep better when you travel, especially when staying in hotels.

Sleep Better in Hotels gives you some ideas on how to sleep cool when the bed-coverings that are provided by the hotels are thick, too hot and often synthetic (and don’t breathe).

It’s a simple thing to do, but it works. You might feel it is a bit of effort for one night (if you don’t mind not sleeping well for just a night), but if you are staying for any length of time in a place it is absolutely worth making your bed as comfortable as possible.

And it is better to do it straight away, just when you arrive – so you’re not waking up at 2 am in the morning wishing you had done something about it earlier!

Have you got any good traveling tips?

It would be great to share them with everyone in the comments box below:

OK Everyone

I’m collecting your most important, burning questions about sleep – so that

• We can improve the information on the website
• I can prioritize the information I send out to you in the emails
• the interviews we give are directed to the appropriate experts
• the questions that we ask the experts can be tailored to what you actually want to hear about
• the next edition of Sleep Mojo will have even better information in it
• our seminar can feature the correct experts and information directed to YOUR interests.

Here are the two ways you can send me your questions:

1. Email elizabeth@sleeplessnomore.com putting the word QUESTION in the subject line of the email – and asking your question there.
2. Put your question in the comments below.  Some questions I might answer right away, and others I might have to track down the right person or research the solutions – so be patient if it is not answered immediately.

So go ahead…  what have you been looking for on this website that you haven’t found?

Oh, one last thing – please go to the homepage of the site http://www.SleeplessNoMore.com and put the keywords into the search bar at the top of the site to see what, if any, information is already available on the site before sending the question.

Has this site answered your question?

What are you still looking for?

You can even suggest experts for us to interview if you like – and the question you would like to ask of them!

Enter your question below in the comments.

Thank you in advance.

Elizabeth