I can't sleep...detoxing maybe?

[kristin]

I'm only 3 weeks into almost all raw foods, and tho I have had problems sleeping on and off all my life (I'm 56) now it seems worse, I feel exhausted. Some days I have had lotsa energy, but seem to be wearing down cause of detoxing and lack of sleep. Any ideas? (I am trying to remember to drink oatstraw tea to help me relax....just feel so tense a lot, and cold too, even tho its not terribly cold here, maybe in the 60's during the day. Thanks very much for any feedback! Kristin

[fiddler]

Yes, I had this problem at about the same time being raw as you're having now.

Here are some things that can help:
- Don't eat past 7:00 or (whenever it gets dark outside)
- If you do eat late, make sure your meal is very light (maybe an apple or so)
- Don't exercise 2 or 3 hours before you go to bed.
- Don't know about the tea, I don't touch the stuff. Make sure there's no caffeine in the tea. Even though its decaffeinated it still might have trace amounts of caffeine -- I've heard/read this somewhere.
- Avoid watching television, especially the news before you go to bed.
- Try reading instead of television
- Make sure you exercise and move around each day so that you're physically ready for rest come bed time.
- Try to limit the number of negative/stressful influences.
- Pray/meditate
- Get a good mattress. I love my tempur-pedic
- Sleep with an open window so you're breathing fresh air

Your tiredness might also be detox as you mention. Allow yourself plenty of time to rest and throw out your alarm clock if you're able to do that. It is best to sleep and awake naturally by your body's rhythm instead of being jolted by some loud, disturbing alarm clock.

Anyway, the above are some of the things I've learned from others and have successfully applied them in order to sleep better!!

Hang in there, you'll start sleeping better after the detox.

[Kris]

You could throw some valerian root into your oatstraw tea. When I have trouble sleeping, I make a tea of oatstraw, valerian, and chamomile. Valerian is quite bitter, but is a very effective herbal sleep aid. I'm not sure about the safety of long-term or frequent use, as I use valerian mainly when traveling for work and suffering from jet lag. You can pick it up from your local herb shop, and your herbalist may be able to provide more information on how safe it is given your current health and your intended use.

[DavidZaneMason]

-The above suggestions are excellent.

-David Mason

[ksabe98]

Also being cold is a classic detox symtom. I have the opposite myself when I am detoxing I get really hot. In fact I have a condition known as raynods phenominen and my hands and feet have always been cold. But since going raw they are warm to the touch now. But alot of people I know get cold. One was cold for a year before she returned to a normal feeling of the environment. Also camomile tea with valerine is very good for sleep. Hope you feel better soon.
Lisa