a body-mind approach to chronic illness
books on sleep
Being properly hydrated is one of the best ways to begin treatment for fibromyalgia and chronic disease in general. There are three ways to become hydrated: firstly make sure you are drinking enough liquids, secondly mineralize your body with unrefined salts, and thirdly understand that hydration is not only a physical process but a mental one as well.
I love reading and have a huge library on homeopathy and health. All the books that I review on this site I've read, and have found practically useful as a practicing homeopath. Here is my list of the most handy books on drinking water and hydration.
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the nocturnal journal
Lee Crutchley
This sweet journal with illustrations and prompts was created by artist, Lee Crutchley, with the idea of allowing you to express yourself and think about other things besides sleeping. This book might help you to pinpoint stress, worry, or anxiety that ends up keeping you up at night.
What I Loved
There are loads thought provoking exercises in the 192 pages to keep you busy and take your mind off your insomnia.
What I Hated
This wonderful book has nothing to do with sleep and will probably keep you awake for one or two nights.
Who It’s For
If you like comic books or graphic novels and want a fun way to connect with yourself then you’ll enjoy working through the pages of this light hearted journal.
Who It’s Not For
If you are serious about life and want a book specifically on improving your sleep quality then this book is not the one you are looking for.
How Can It Help
When we live too much in our heads something lighthearted might be just the right tool for us not to take life too seriously.
Excerpt
“No matter what is causing your lack of sleep, it almost always stems from the same reason. In the modern world it is hard to find, make, or allow enough time to really connect with yourself. The days are becoming busier and busier, and this means that your worries get suppressed, your feeling stay unexplored, and your most creative ideas remain itches that you don’t have the time to be scratched."
Rating
😍😍😍😍
the little book of sleep
Dr. Nerina Ramlakhan
Sleep expert Dr Nerina Ramlakhan uses a combination of Eastern and Western practices, including yoga, ayurveda and body-awareness techniques that are aimed at getting us to get a good night's sleep. You can practice her 5 and 10-minute exercises before bedtime.
What I loved
The core idea of this book is that the way to a good sleep is to get out of your head and back into your body.
What I hated
Somewhat simplistic, although this is also its strength.
Who is it for?
If you are esoterically minded and enjoy zen like simplicity then you’ll want a copy for your library.
Who is it not for?
If you prefer to delve deep then you won’t need this little book.
How may this book help you?
Because of its zen like simplicity it has the potential to take you out of overthinking mode and put you into being mode.
Excerpt
“Dormancy is part of the cycle of life: in order to thrive, fields must lie fallow, animals must sleep or hibernate.”
Rating
😍😍😍😍
sleep smarter
Shawn Stevenson
Shawn Stevenson’s dream of becoming a professional athlete was crushed when he learned he had a degenerative bone disease. He gave up on his health until one day he decided there had to be a better way. Through better sleep and optimized nutrition, Stevenson not only healed his body but also achieved fitness and business goals he never thought possible.
In Sleep Smarter, Stevenson shares 21 easy tips on how to discover the best sleep of your life. You'll learn how to create a sleep sanctuary, how to use sunlight to regulate your circadian rhythms, the best exercises for stress-reduction, and more.
What I loved
Stevenson devotes one chapter to each tip. He first gives you the science and then he gives you the tips. I loved the way that each tip was numbered and boxed for easy reference. This makes Sleep Smarter a vey practical book.
What I hated
I felt that his chapter on sleep supplements was a little lacking and a bit superficial. To his credit he recommends natural supplements over pharmaceuticals but he doesn’t go into depth as to how these supplements work.
Who this book is for
If you like science and research but don’t want to get bogged down by too much science then this book is for you. Stevenson has the ability to explain in a interesting story like way without becoming overly technical.
Who this book is not for
If you have suffered from sleep problems for several years and have tried everything then this book won’t help you.
How this book will help me
If you want to make daytime lifestyle changes so that you will sleep better at night then this is the best book out there.
Extract
“If you are still remember the feeling when my grandmother put me to sleep at night. I felt happy, I felt loved, and I felt excited about what the next day would bring. This book is dedicated to her … It’s my sincerest wish that you not only get the best sleep possible, but that your life is happier, healthier, and full of success because of it.”
It’s unusual to quote the dedication but I felt that it shows someone with a good heart who genuinely wants to help his readers.
Rating
😴😴😴😴