Melatonin, Valerian, and Fibromyalgia

Sleep is an essential function to recharge our bodies and minds.

In the early days after my fibromyalgia diagnosis (back in 2000), I remember reading somewhere that Melatonin wasn’t good for auto-immune disorders. Although FMS isn’t an auto-immune disorder, it wasn’t well understood (still isn’t) back in those days, so I never tried it. After researching natural alternatives, I settled on Valerian. It worked for me for many years, but these days it sometimes gives me a foggy feeling in the morning if I take a supplement.

Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread pain and fatigue. People with fibromyalgia often have insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, or their sleep is often disrupted by pain. People with fibromyalgia may also experience an alteration in their patterns of slow wave sleep, which is the deepest stage of sleep.

Sleep is an essential function1 that allows your body and mind to recharge, leaving you refreshed and alert when you wake up. Healthy sleep also helps the body remain healthy and stave off diseases. Without enough sleep, the brain cannot function properly.

Sleep Foundation

After yet another sleepless night recently, I decided to do look into Melatonin.

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Benefits of Yoga for Fibromyalgia

Help fight your fibro-fog! Yoga improves your mind’s ability to process information.

The thought of exercising when you are in the throes of pain and fatigue may seem counterintuitive, but that’s exactly why you should get moving. Research shows that regular exercise can reduce pain and improve overall health. There are additional benefits for fibro sufferers. But too strenuous of an exercise can certainly trigger a flare and set you into that vicious cycle of pain and fatigue, leaving you with no energy for working out. If this sounds like you, consider the practice of yoga to help ease the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

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It Begins with Sleep

If “cotton is the fabric of our lives,” sleep should be considered the fabric of bodies and minds..

I have taken a very deliberate break from blogging and social media lately, as the demands of my day job have been consuming my time and energy. And much like others at the beginning of every new year, I have been trying to lose a few stubborn pounds that have crept on. I already have a pretty healthy diet and exercise program, so I decided reducing stress and getting some extra sleep might just be the two missing factors. And when your schedule is already overflowing and you need some extra Zzzzs, something has to give – for me that was writing and browsing social media.

But, with Sleep Awareness Week around the corner it was time to write a new post….

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Lavender Lullabies

Lavender is an herb that is both beautiful and beneficial.

As November is Sleep Comfort Month, I thought I would write one more post about sleep. I have written about my fibromyalgia and difficulties sleeping (here and here). I have various sleep strategies I use, including using lavender oil or spray. So recently at lunch with a few girlfriends, one of them mentioned she hadn’t slept through the night since March due to various things going on in her life (stress!). Someone said, “Have you tried Ambien?” It’s really a shame that some people think first about a prescription medication to mask the problem, rather than trying easy at-home strategies first. I mentioned Lavender, Melatonin and Valerian root to her as a natural alternatives to try, but my favorite is still lavender.

bee-and-lavender-with-quote-marion-mccristall
Picture from Quotesgram.com

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