INSOMINIA~IT'S A BITCH~#2

This is my second post on insomnia, as I still find many people I know are still affected by it.  For the most part, my issues with insomnia aren't chronic, so I don't have any problems on a daily basis. 

But, chances are, if you suffer from insomnia, you are like the lady above during your work day.  Instead of being productive, you drag your butt out of bed wishing that caffeine was delivered by an IV infusion at StarBucks not in a cup.  You've just had yet another restless night of tossing and turning, glaring at the neon beams of your alarm clock, wishing your mind would just turn off! 

You pray for those elusive Zzzzzz's.  You beat your pillow to a feathered pulp.  You curse at the pinkening sky as the dawn arrives... 

You thought you had done everything right.  Doctor told you to make sure and stop drinking caffeine by a certain time in the evening to ensure a good nights sleep.  Could there be more to it besides laying off the Red Bulls, coffee, or Rock Star energy drinks? 


In fact, I recently read that your diet may be to blame for the devil known as insomnia to show up in the first place.  The other day Yahoo listed these five foods that actually promote insomnia and the rationale behind each:

1. Bacon


Did you know that bacon contains tyramine, which increases the release of norepinephrine, (which in drug form, a doctor may prescribe to actually elevate blood pressure if your body goes into shock) a brain stimulant that keeps you up. Others foods that contain tyramine include chocolate, eggplant, ham, potatoes, sauerkraut, sugar, sausage, tomatoes, and wine.

2. Refined carbohydrates


These drain the body of vitamin B, which the body needs to release serotonin. When the body can't get enough serotonin, then tension, fear, and depression can keep you up all night.

3. MSG


Monosodium glutamate (MSG), causes a stimulant reaction in some people. MSG is almost always found in processed, prepared, and packaged foods.

4. Alcohol


While many of us drink to relax the body and mind, the fact of the matter is that wine, beer, and hard alcohol can keep you up at night. This is especially true if you drink more than one glass. While alcohol can make you tired in the short run, you're likely to awaken in the middle of the night.  Or you're up peeing & puking all night, but that's a whole other post! LOL

5. Chocolate


Chocolate can elevate your energy levels with bioactive compounds like tyramine and phenylethylamine. Chocolate also contains sugar which wakes you up as well as the other obvious culprit, caffeine.


So...Focus on your diet.  Are there any changes you might be able to make in order for you to sleep better?  Try not to eat anything of the FIVE listed in the evening if you can possibly help it--especially not in combination--then you're really in for a whammy of a sleepless night. 

Hope you found the information helpful.
Enjoy your Wednesday!
Kathleen