Sleep Problems

Insomnia

The inability to sleep is another stress related condition which most people have suffered from at some point in their lives. It is when insomnia continues for a long period of time that secondary problems can occur such as chronic fatigue, depression, reduced concentration, irritability etc.

Simple Aromatherapeutic Treatments

Add 8 to 10 drops in total of Lavender, Chamomile or Marjoram to a warm bath before going to bed

Use any of the above oils in a burner in the bedroom to help you sleep

Massage a few drops of Lavender or Chamomile into the soles of the feet at night.
This is one of the quickest ways in which essential oils are absorbed into the bloodstream!

Put a few drops of Lavender on a tissue and place next to your pillow or in the top pocket of your pyjamas so you inhale the scent as you drift off to sleep

*NB It is worth pointing out that even though Lavender is an excellent oil for insomnia, if you use too much of it the effect is the opposite – it will act as a stimulant and actually keep you awake!

Another key oil for insomnia and restlessness is Valerian. However, there are two factors to take into consideration when using this: firstly, the smell!! It is not the most pleasant smelling oil but if you blend it with Lavender and only use a small amount it is not too bad, secondly and more importantly, if you use it in large amounts and regularly it can cause headaches, mental agitation and delusions!! I would suggest only using this oil under the guidance of a qualified aroma therapist.

Oil Safety

Chamomile – can cause dermatitis in some people (use fewer drops if you have sensitive skin)

Bruxism involves a reflex chewing action,  but exactly why it occurs is not widely known. Adults who grind their teeth are assumed to be stressed out anxious people, but such is not always the case. Bruxism can result in abnormal wear patterns of the teeth surfaces, and may result in fractures in the teeth.

Children Who Grind Their Teeth Are More Likely To Have Problems In School, Be Withdrawn

ScienceDaily (June 10, 2008) — Tooth grinding has an association with pre-school performance when withdrawn behavior is present, according to a research abstract that will be presented on June 10 at SLEEP 2008, the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS).

The study focused on 1,956 pre-schoolers, whose low-income parents completed a questionnaire that included frequency of tooth grinding during sleep.

According to the results, 36.8 percent of pre-schoolers were reported to grind their teeth one or more times per week, and 6.7 percent reported this behavior four or more times per week. Further, as the frequency of children’s tooth grinding during sleep increased, parents were more likely to endorse that their child is withdrawn, doesn’t get involved with others, and that pre-school adjustment was worse.

“Although we can not assume that tooth grinding causes withdrawn behaviors or problems in school, the dynamic relation between tooth grinding and pre-school adjustment indicate that there may be clinical relevance to tooth grinding beyond being a symptom of bruxism,” said Salvatore P. Insana, of West Virginia University, first author of the study. “Furthermore, parental report of tooth grinding may be a sensitive indicator of the presence of bruxism among young children.”

Sleep-related bruxism involves the grinding or clenching of teeth during sleep. It is common for the jaw to contract while you sleep. When these contractions are too strong, they produce the sound of tooth grinding. This can cause dental damage by wearing the teeth down. In most severe cases, hundreds of events can occur during the night. In milder cases, the grinding may vary from night to night.

The rate of bruxism seems to be highest in children. About 14 to 17 percent of children have it. It can begin as soon as a child’s upper and lower teeth have come through the gums. Around one third of children with bruxism will still have it when they are adults.

It can also be caused by stress and anxiety. This may be due to a life event or pressure at school or work.

It is recommended that children in pre-school get between 11-13 hours of nightly sleep.

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