Too much noise and light keeps even a tired man awake. Too many distractions and disturbing thoughts in our minds are also factors that can keep a person's eyes open when they should be tightly shut at night. Although the body may be ready or more than ready for sleep, the mind will not turn off. Thoughts and worries continue to keep our minds active, which keeps us awake or following us into sleep causing restless sleep, nightmares and disorders.
Not getting enough sleep can make a person feel out of sorts and unfocused. It is almost like a person is one step behind the usual self. It can even make a person feel out of sync with situations and people around them. Every person's sleep requirements are different, most adults require seven to nine hours of sleep at night, while others can function on as little as 5 hours of sleep.
The amount of sleep a person needs decreases with age. A newborn baby might sleep 20 hours a day. By age four, the average is 12 hours a day. By age 10, the average falls to 10 hours a day. Senior citizens can often get by with six or seven hours a day. A study conducted at the University of Chicago Medical Center suggests that people not only sleep less than they should, but less than they think they do.
If you are not getting enough sleep, there are a lot of over-the-counter medications are available in the market today, however, it is best to take a natural solution first. Those in tune with nature and the human body will say that humans are born equipped with all of the healing properties we will need in life. What isn't produced within our bodies can be supplemented through natural, safe means. Whether or not you agree with this philosophy, there is no doubt about the incredibly beneficial features of a natural sleep aid called melatonin. To better understand why this substance, already produced in the body, is so helpful for eliminating insomnia and other sleep problems, there is no harm to know a little about it and where to get it.
One of the major reasons melatonin is considered an all natural sleep aid is because this substance is produced in the pineal gland located in the brain. The pineal gland release melatonin when our eyes send messages to the brain that darkness is falling. It is responsible for regulating our wake and sleep cycles. No one is sure why, but studies suggest that older people may not produce as much melatonin as they did when they were younger and this may be the leading cause of insomnia in older adults. That definitely doesn't mean that younger people can't be affected as well. Using a product containing melatonin is a great way to aid natural sleep.
Aside from being a non-addictive and an all natural sleep aid, melatonin may have other healthy benefits as well. Recent studies have suggested that people who used this type of product find beneficial results in an overall feeling of wellness and it is thought that it might strengthen the immune system and reduce the number of free radicals hanging out in the body.