Midnight woes

MANILA, Philippines - Not everyone gets to enjoy a long and relaxing sleep. In fact, a lot of Filipinos have trouble sleeping. Some get less than six hours of slumber, while some don’t get to sleep at all.

One common sleep dilemma is having to suddenly wake up in the middle of the night and being unable to go back to sleep. Usually, work-related problems or personal woes contribute to this. Some try to lull themselves back to slumber by reading, watching late-night television shows or surfing the Net.

In reality, these habits will only contribute to you being up since these stimulate the mind. Moreover, the lights from the television and the computer screen hinder the production of hormones that help you fall asleep.

If you wake up in the middle of the night and you find it hard to go back to bed, it’s best to avoid these habits. Instead, stay in bed, close your eyes, and practice relaxation exercises. For instance, you can imagine yourself in a peaceful, relaxing environment like a Zen garden.

It’s best to relax during the day, too, and veer away from things that give you stress. That way, you have less things to keep you up at night. Moreover, make your bedroom sleep-conducive. Keep the lights as minimal as possible.

For people suffering from extreme cases of sleep deprivation, sleeping pills are prescribed. However, most of these sleep-inducing soporific drugs can lead to drug dependence and other adverse effects after long-term use. Thus, it’s best to opt for sleeping supplements.

Most of these natural sleep-enhancers work by regulating the body’s melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that is naturally produced in the pineal gland — an endocrine gland located at the base of the brain. This hormone is produced, mainly at night, to regulate the body’s sleep-wake cycle.

Studies suggest that melatonin helps hasten sleep and ease jet lag without the hazards or side effects of prescription pills. Other studies suggest that melatonin may have immune or antioxidant functions.

One of the most recommended natural sleep-enhancers is Sleepwell Melatonin 3mg. Sleepwell, a non-drug and all-natural food supplement, mimics the natural hormone that is produced by the body, thus regulating the natural body clock and enhancing the quality of sleep.

Doctors recommend one to two capsules an hour before bedtime. Locally available in all Mercury drugstores, CQ WOW, and other leading drugstores, Sleepwell has been known to effectively promote good quality sleep, relieve insomnia and other sleep problems, combat jet lag, and work as a powerful antioxidant.