Insomnia often afflicts busy people who never have enough time. They are often extroverts who are unable to switch off their minds.

BODY ORGANS

lungs

heart

central nervous system

kidneys

stomach

SPINAL ADJUSTMENT

Upper cervical

EMOTIONS

apprehension

lack of joy

VAGUE SYMPTOMS

sleeplessness - physical, emotional and mental disturbance

restlessness and spiritual lethargy

not feeling fresh in the morning

Waking up feeling unwell and worried

heavy sweating while asleep

acute awareness of passing time

DISEASE

pain

an acute disease

brain tumour

You may be unable to sleep for many reasons - perhaps you are over-tired or your digestive system is too full with food, or you may have worries and concerns. Regardless of the cause, sleeping pills will not help in the long term. Their effect is minimized as the body gets used to them.

My initial suggestion is that you reduce the volume of stale air in your lungs. Lie down and breathe in and out 50 times, forcing the air out. Concentrate on your out-breaths and let your in-breaths take care of themselves. This exercise should help you to relax. It can also be helpful to learn to sigh, and to stretch as many of your muscles as possible before going to bed. Thirdly, I suggest having a hot and cold shower last thing at night.

My fourth suggestion is dietary. Finely chop some cos lettuce, about 6-8 outer leaves and the stem. Sauté in oil with 2 sticks of cinnamon, 2 cloves and, if you want to add taste, ½ red onion, finely chopped. Add a pinch of salt and black pepper, and a few drops of lemon. Eat about half an hour before going to bed - and then do the breathing exercise.

Or try these drinks; they may help you to relax.

FRESH JUICE RECIPE

Mix together equal amounts of the following juices:

cos lettuce

carrot

spinach

celery

Drink 1½ - 2 litres a day, undiluted.

Before going to bed prepare a drink consisting of the juice of 1 lemon, 1 teaspoon of honey and ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg powder in a cup of boiled hot water.

Serotinin

Serotinin is a neural transmitter which calms the system. A basic source of serotonin is tryptophan, an amino acid found in foods such as sweet biscuits and sweet crackers. Eat more of these sweet foods and chew them slowly. This will liberate the sugar to produce serotonin in your brain and relax the body. Reduce the amount of protein in your food and eat fewer milk products to lower your acid level. The combination of serotonin and a lower acid level will act as a powerful soporific.