sleep disturbances

New: sleep drink SAMINA Night® – Sleeping well made easy

14. August 2019 von Sylke Andermann Leave a Comment

Nature – steadfast anchor of SAMINA’s corporate philosophy and great inspiration for company founder and sleep-healthy pioneer Prof. Dr. med. h.c. Günther W. Amann-Jennson; first but firm steps in a whole new segment. SAMINA Night – a vegetable-mineral sleep drink, created to optimize the sleep from “inside”.

The existing product range – orthopaedic and organic-sustainable bedding systems, duvets and pillows, is now complemented by a neuro-sleep drink. Naturally effective and delicious: a sour cherry and aronia berry juice, enriched with valuable vitamins and minerals, which has a distinctive differentiation. Without artificial melatonin, but promoting the body’s own production of sleep hormones.

Goodbye to oxidative stress

Poison, pollutants, alcohol, nicotine. The human race is almost permanently exposed to oxidative stress. Tensions in the body are intensified, relaxation inhibited. Current studies in the field of sleep medicine show that especially the toxins from nutrition put an oxidative strain on the body and disturb the organism. Research in this area is indeed in the starting blocks, but the findings are so valuable that an own nutrition composition in this regard was indispensable for sleep psychologist Prof. Dr. med. h.c. Günther W. Amann-Jennson. The recipe is therefore a special composition of antioxidants to rid the body of toxins.

Liquid superfood for sleep

“Thy food shall be thy medicine, and thy medicine thy food.” Hippocrates already realized that nature offers a variety of nutritional wonders, to be recognized as alternative remedies. SAMINA Night is a power pack of soothing ingredients which supports the body in its very own sleep function. In response to the social trend – away from industrial sugar – the sleep drink is sweetened exclusively with a solid dose of birch sugar (xylitol). The aronia berry is a strong antioxidant and has a positive effect on the immune system, while valerian has an unmistakably soothing effect, and theanine prolongs deep as well as REM sleep. The formula acts directly on the central nervous system (CNS) and provides a direct stimulation of neurotransmitters.

Rapid effect

Sip the sleep drink 30 minutes before going to sleep. The effect is immediate: mind and body calm down, irritating thoughts are soothed and a pleasant tiredness spreads through your body. However, here too, less is more. An overdose blocks the synergetic, complementary effect of the ingredients and can almost trigger the opposite effects. Especially valerian is known to cause anxiety in too high a dosage. Hence, the composition of SAMINA Night is gentle, but reasonably effective.

With SAMINA Night, the SAMINA team of Prof. Dr. med. h.c. Günther W. Amann-Jennson has succeeded in creating a globally unique product that is 100% vegan, free of gluten and lactose, without alcohol and has no side effects. Results achieved with customers demonstrably prove the gentle relaxing and sleep-inducing effect.

Source of picture: SAMINA

Restful sleeping in old age

17. September 2018 von Redaktion Leave a Comment

Sufficient and restful sleep is important for being and feeling fit and vital. But, with increasing age falling asleep and sleeping through experience a change. Therefore, for elder people it is not always easy to have an adequate amount of sleep. As soon as you notice, that lack of sleep is influencing your daily activity it is time to look for help.

About 70 % of all adults suffer under sleep disturbances or a no longer restful sleep. This also applies to the group of people 65+ who occasionally or regularly complain about disturbed sleep. Most of the time, they have difficulties to fall asleep resp. to sleep through. Out of this reason, elder people tend to take sleeping pills either available over the counter but also only on prescription. A study proves that some of these sleeping pills show no effect resp. might even increase sleep disturbances.

The sleep of elder people is very light – sometimes a simple car honk or a barking dog interrupt their sleep. On the other hand, elder people tend to doze off quickly, for example while reading the paper or in front of the TV. For a long time it was thought that elder people overall need less sleep than young people. This is scientifically not yet fully established. One thing is certain: the sleep architecture of old people changes. Falling asleep and sleeping through becomes harder, phases of deep sleep decrease. But, since the daily routine of elder people most of the time is free from work-related and fix appointments it often is easier for them to compensate arisen sleep debts with a nap. A powernap at lunchtime is advisable for people of all ages. To not further increase existing or create problems to fall asleep it is advisable to limit the power nap to 20 minutes and to sleep before 3 p.m.

Longer phases to fall asleep, fewer deep sleep and nightly arousals

With increasing age, the phase to fall asleep prolongs, the phase of deep sleep – which is so important for physical recreation – reduces, light sleep increases. Hence, the sleep of elder people is easier disturbed, arousals become more frequent. Here’s a comparison: younger people experience about five arousals per night, people in the age of 60+ up to 150. Often, you can’t remember the short moments of wakefulness but still don’t feel well rested in the next morning and have the feeling of having had an uneasy sleep.

Be careful with sleeping pills

Besides sleeping through, falling asleep becomes harder. For many, the fastest and seemingly simplest solution is taking sleeping pills. Most people even fall asleep faster and tend to sleep the night through when taking pills but only very few actually feel well rested the morning after. Because, sleeping pills not only disturb the sensitive course of the single sleeping phases. Besides alcohol or age, sleeping pills themselves might be cause for waking up too early. A further trigger for feeling unrested during the day.

The following tips are helpful for improving sleeping quality and making sleep more restful:

Stay physically active in older age, too, preferably in fresh air! Numerous studies revealed that sufficient exercise helps to regulate and to support sleep.
Always go to bed and get up in the morning at about the same time. Get up right after waking up in the morning instead of pressing the snooze button for several times.
Especially when you are suffering under disturbances to fall asleep and to sleep through be careful to limit your siesta to 20 minutes.
Easily digestible foods eaten three to four hours before going to bed are perfect for your dinner. In the evening, avoid caffeine-containing beverages and alcohol.
Regularly practiced rituals like an evening walk, listening to relaxing music, reading or relaxation exercises let you come to rest and set your organism to “sleeping”.
A soothing herbal tea has a relaxing effect.
Use your bedroom only for sleeping and for sex. All other activities like reading, eating or watching TV should be done in other rooms.
Good ventilation of your bedroom and a temperature between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius are perfect for a good night’s sleep.
Don’t place any electronic devices in your bedroom (electromagnetic fields).

Study: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/1860498?resultClick=3

Imagesource: @Shutterstock

Health pillar sleep

14. May 2018 von Redaktion Leave a Comment

Health depends on several factors. But, our lifestyle has the biggest impact. A healthy lifestyle includes a balanced nutrition, regular exercise as well as sufficient restful sleep. Especially healthy sleep is one of the most important health pillars. Healthy sleep significantly contributes to our physical and mental well-being. Good and sufficient sleep might even prevent from diseases and health disturbances. Persons who suffer under sleep disturbances, know the effects of insufficient and non-restful sleep. Bad sleep might cause symptoms like:

Fatigue
Irritability
Concentration disturbances and
Head ache

But, sleeping problems might also trigger serious diseases. The risk for

Depression
Cardio-vascular diseases
High blood pressure and
Diabetes II

might increase due to lack of sleep and sleep disturbances. Healthy, restful sleep can be promoted with some simple measures. Here you find some suggestions on how to achieve restful sleep.

What supports sleeping quality?

Besides a proper sleep surrounding, the proper sleep hygiene positively influences your sleeping quality:

Plan your last meal of the day at least three to four hours before going to bed. But, not only the time influences your sleep. What you eat has an influence as well. Try to care for a balanced nutrition that submits all essential vitamins and minerals.
Care for your fluid balance. Drink at least 1.5 l water, herbal teas or diluted juices.
Avoid consuming cigarettes, alcohol and caffeine-containing beverages in the late afternoon and evening. These substances have an effect for three to five hours – your phase of falling asleep might be disturbed by them.
Regular exercise and sport not only keep your body fit. Your sleeping behavior improves, too. But, don’t train too late in the evening since this is stimulating your circulatory. And, instead of being tired, you might feel wide awake.
A regular sleep-wake-rhythm (regular times to get up and to go to bed) significantly contribute to a good sleeping quality.
Relaxation techniques like yoga or autogenous training might support letting go everyday hectic and sorrows. This in turn supports falling asleep.
Periodic ventilation, a dark bedroom and a room temperature from 16 to 18 °C create a pleasant sleep surrounding.
A synchronized sleeping system supports optimal positioning of your body during sleep. Completed with natural materials like sheep wool you care for a pleasant bedding climate.

Imagesource: @fotolia

Culinary herbs as health elixir

8. August 2017 von Redaktion Leave a Comment

Culinary herbs not only spice our food. Their special ingredients significantly influence our well-being. In former days, herbalists like druids, herb women and midwives knew how to use the healing powers of the herbs. Nowadays, more and more herbs are used in medicine. Not only in alternative but also in conventional medicine in form of teas or compresses.

Culinary herbs on the balcony or in the garden

Culinary herbs are easily cultivated on the balcony or in the garden. Like this, the household remedies are available rapidly. Culinary herbs are supporting recovery but don’t replace medical advice.

There is a herb against every ailment

As a popular saying goes: “There is a herb against every ailment.” Especially in former days, medicinal herbs were of major importance. More and more, the ancient knowledge is revived.

Herbs against stress, sleep disturbances and muscular tensions

More and more people are suffering under stress, sleep disturbances and muscular tensions due to improper posture. The following herbs have a relaxing and tension releasing effect:

Parsley: Parsley contains vitamins A, B and C; it is found in several dishes and is available the whole year round. Parsley not only is used for general gastrointestinal problems but it also supports kidneys and bladder. Furthermore, it has a mood-lifting effect and cares for inner peace. Therefore, it is perfect for stress reduction. The culinary herb can also be used as essential oil or tea.

Basil: Basil not only tastes well in a pesto. Also, enjoyed as tea, gargling solution, tincture or oil it is a real health elixir. Basil strengthens our nerves and cares for a calm sleep. Further applications: stomach and kidney troubles, inflammations and joint pains, headache, menopausal symptoms and depressions. Hint: use basil-oil when suffering under headache, dizziness or stress. Massaged on forehead and temples it cares for relaxation.

Coriander: Are you suffering under digestion problems or pain in the neck? Here, coriander is a good household remedy. Coriander-tea activates digestion. Coriander-oil eases muscular tensions.

Imagesource: @deathtothestockphoto

Sleep disturbances due to nightly sweating

12. June 2017 von Redaktion Leave a Comment

Certainly, you once awoke drenched in sweat. The nightgown or your pajamas were wet, the bedding damp. A relaxed night’s rest seems far away – nightly sweating inevitably leads to sleep disturbances. The consequences of sleepless nights show during the days, too. Besides tiredness and irritability, lack of sleep leads to listlessness and concentration disturbances.

Sweating is vital

As unpleasant as sweating sometimes is – it is vital. The sweat supports regulation of body temperature. The evaporation of sweat delivers cooling. This prevents overheating of our body. On an average, we are secreting about half a liter sweat per night. The disturbance of sweat production is called hyperhidrosis. This either can be triggered by a disease or by hyperactive sweat glands.

Causes for nightly sweating

Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy or menopause can be responsible for unpleasant nightly sweating. But, often it has harmless reasons like a too warm bedroom or an improper cover. Sometimes, diseases like a flue also might lead to nightly sweating. In case excessive sweating persists for a longer period, seek medical advice. Especially, when other complaints like fever, loss of weight and pains arise.

Poor conditions for sleep
Alcohol, nicotine
Fatty and hot food
Drugs
Sleep disturbances (like sleep apnea)
Cancer
Heart attack
Stress
Depression and anxiety
Hypoglycemia with diabetes
Medication
Infections
Rheumatism
Hyperthyroidism
Neurologic diseases (like epilepsy)
Hormonal fluctuations (during pregnancy or menopause)

Are no reasons found, medicine is talking about idiopathic nightly sweating. Here, the sweat glands are hyperactive due to reasons which are not yet clear.

In the next article you will find some hints against nightly sweating.

Imagesource: @fotolia

Nine reasons why gardening is healthy

9. June 2017 von Redaktion Leave a Comment

Gardening ranks among the most popular leisure activities. After work, people weed, dig and maintain their lawn. Since long, scientists have proved that gardening is healthy. The movement and work in the garden is balm for body and soul. Planting, maintaining and harvesting relieves stress, strengthens the immune system, trains muscles and improves sleep.

Gardening is healthy – why?

prevents from back pain

Gardening strengthens the muscles. Almost all muscle-groups are trained; and a well-trained musculature prevents from back pain. But, the proper body posture when planting, sowing, weeding and harvesting is pre-condition for freedom from pain.

is good for bone formation

A strong musculature cares for a healthy bone formation. Sunlight stimulates vitamin D production which is needed for strong bones.

is good for your heart

Gardening is good for your cardiovascular system. It leads to a regular heart frequency, cares for a calm pulse and lowers blood pressure. Furthermore, gardening supports the cardio-protective HDL cholesterol.

strengthens the immune system

The immune defense is stimulated by the movement in fresh air and thereby the immune system gets strengthened.

improves breathing

The stay in fresh air leads to a growth of the breathing volume of about 50 %. The deep breaths stimulate metabolism and the well-being is increased.

lifts the spirits

While working in free nature, happy hormones are released. This lifts the mood. Problems and sorrows lose importance while working with plants.

decelerates and reduces stress

The relaxing and calming effect of gardening helps to forget and to let go everyday hectic and stress.

prevents from sleep disturbances

The happy hormone serotonin needs day light. It is pre-cursor of the sleeping hormone melatonin; these two hormones regulate our sleep-wake-cycle. Hence, gardening in daylight and in fresh air contributes to the regulation of the sleep-wake-rhythm. And this positively influences healthy and restful sleep.

leads to a healthier diet

There is another advantage to gardening, when you not only plant flowers but also fruits and vegetables. You can take advantage of a healthier diet. Fruits and vegetables from the own garden are not polluted with pesticides, provided, you don’t use them. Furthermore, transportation fails and this is good for our CO₂ footprint.

Imagesource: @aboutpixel