Insomnia is divided into three types: Transient: lasting only a few days; Short-term: lasting up to three weeks; Chronic: lasting three weeks or longer.

Below is a list of factors that can lead to insomnia:

Physical Conditions:
1. Bone, pancreas, and brain cancers
2. Toothache
3. Arthritis
4. Headache/Backache
5. Food poisoning
6. Hypertension
7. Premenstrual syndrome/Menstruation/Pregnancy/Menopause
8. Physical injury
9. Respiratory problems (asthma, hay fever, bronchitis, cold)
10. Restless legs
11. Sleep apnea

Environmental Situations:
1. Allergy from house dust mites
2. Bedroom temperature
3. Lighting
4. Noise (traffic, neighbors, partner’s snoring)

Psychological Problems:
1. Tension/Anxiety
2. Any psychiatric disorder
3. Depression/Grief
4. Excitement/Anticipation
5. Post-traumatic stress disorder
6. Worry/Stress

Habits:
1. Nicotine/Alcohol/Illicit drugs
2. Beta blockers
3. Caffeine (chocolate, colas, tea, coffee)
4. Corticosteroids/ Antidepressants/Asthma remedies/Nasal decongestants
5. Daytime napping
6. Night shifts/Eating too late at night
7. Strenuous late night exercise
8. Sudden weight loss from dieting
9. Theophylline
10. Withdrawal from psychoactive drugs

Coming off sleeping pills does not mean that you have to go cold turkey, especially if you have been taking them for some time. First of all, nobody should try to wean himself off a medication without the advice of a doctor. If you are on a combination of tranquilizers and hypnotics, experts advise to come off them one at a time. Individual cases will dictate which comes first in the weaning sequence.

The time it takes to reduce medication depends on the type, dose, and length of hypnotic consumption (months or sometimes even years), as well as individual factors. Not everyone will stick with the full process, but even partial reduction is still an achievement.

Rebound insomnia tends to occur in short-acting hypnotics, but is not such a problem with the longer-acting ones. That said, most people should expect some difficulty for a week or two after coming off sleeping pills, and it could be months before sleep readjusts to a level they are really satisfied with.

After receiving dozens of requests for a sleep support package, we’re almost ready to release it to you.

This package is HUGE - because there are so many things related to sleep and it’s just so vital to our health and well-being.

The package should include the following (and more):

• A power nap program that gives you the equivalent of a 2-3 hour nap in only 30 minutes of listening (and without the groggy ‘after-nap’ hangover).
• A sleep reducer program that you can listen to before sleep - for those occasions when you know you have to get by on less than the ideal amount of sleep you need.
• Our “Sleepy Time” program which helps you relax and unwind right before bed time; let go of the accumulated stress of your day and drift off into a deep and satisfying sleep.
• “Digital Sandman”, which is designed to keep you in a deep sleep throughout the night.

I’d like to know if you have any questions about how our Holothink programs can help with sleep - I’ll try to get those questions answered right here in the coming days.

I’ve learned a lot in the process of researching sleep (did you know that consistent high-quality sleep has been linked to living longer and keeping a youthful appearance?)

Please post your questions as a “Comment” below.

Randolph