OK, we discussed avoiding sleep deprivation last time. Often our hectic schedules make it hard to get enough sleep.
But maybe the schedule is not the issue. Maybe you just have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. You allow enough time for sleeping, but you just don’t sleep all that well. I hear you. And you’ll be surprised at what I just learned about having trouble sleeping!
Another time I may share some basic tips about insomnia. Then again, you might have heard them all already so why bore you?
But today I just have a quick report of something that was new to me something I would never have guessed had anything to do with sleeping better. I’m pretty sure you haven’t heard this one, either.
Tuesday night I attended a small, informal health lecture on the topic Immune Boosting Basics for the Whole Family! It was given by Janeen Carter in the health foods section of my local Sprouts Farmers Market. (I’m so glad that store is only a ten-minute walk away, because I love that store.) There were only about eight of us, so we pulled our chairs in a semi-circle around Janeen.
The timing of this lecture couldn’t have been better, because ironically my own immune system was dealing with an attack. I learned some really useful tips to help myself right away, on top of stuff I’ve known to do for years. I discovered things that I can share with you later, plus I got a few sample packets and handouts.
But that’s not what this post is about.
I learned something interesting about sleep. Two things, actually. First, Janeen recommends that we separate our vitamin and mineral supplements. Take the vitamins in the morning, and the minerals at night because the minerals will help you sleep better when you take them at night, she said.
That part wasn’t totally new to me, but it was a good reminder. Plus, I actually do that somewhat, because I take a fizzing drink powder at bedtime that is my magnesium supplement (plus some calcium).
What really surprised me, though, is when Janeen talked about how important digestive enzyme supplements are. Now, that’s something I totally agree with and have been doing for years.
But the surprise came when a lady in our little audience shared that she had recently started taking enzyme supplements… and she sleeps better. Huh??? Yes, she now sleeps 8 hours, when for years she could only sleep 5 to 6 hours each night.
But I wondered what enzymes had to do with sleeping!
I know enzymes help the food to break down (digest) better, so that nutrients can be absorbed by the body… so I suppose more nutrients getting into the blood stream could be helping a whole lot of body functions.
But as soon as my mind went Huh???, Janeen was already giving the answer. She explained that the enzymes are helping the ladies liver and pancreas to function better, because the pancreas and liver will keep you awake at night if they’re not functioning well.
Interesting! So I share this with you, and maybe it will be a useful piece of knowledge. Digestive enzymes are a good idea anyway. And who knows? If you’ve been having trouble sleeping, enzymes just might make a difference.
