Are You Getting Enough ZZZZZs?

(Please read our disclaimer)

Does this sound familiar: My life is too busy to take time out to sleep. I have a family, a job, housework, meals to make … the list could go on and on. So how much sleep do I really need? Can’t I get by with just a few hours a day?

According to WebMD, the amount of sleep a person needs “depends on many things, including their age. Infants need 14–17 hours a day, while toddlers need between 11–14 hours of sleep a day. School-age children need 9–11 hours a day, compared to teenagers who only need 8–10 hours of sleep a day. Adults need 7 to 9 hours, but some people need as few as 6 hours or as many as 10 hours of sleep each day.”
 
So what happens if you don’t get those needed hours of sleep? “Sleep deprivation affects us much more than prior theories have suggested, ” states one of the largest sleep studies done recently by Michigan State University. “Sleep-deprived individuals need to exercise caution in absolutely everything that they do, and simply can’t trust that they won’t make costly errors, ones that can have tragic consequences.

Conditions for Restful Sleep

The Melaleuca Wellness Guide states, “Fatigue is the second most common complaint doctors hear. Fatigue is more than tiredness; it is an inner feeling of difficulty in performing the most basic physical tasks and usually leads to a “bad attitude.” It can be caused from serious disorders such as anemia, cancer, chronic viral infections, low thyroid, hormone production, hypoglycemia, diabetes, allergies, premenstrual syndrome, and the near-exhaustion phase of stress or emotional crisis. It can also be due to correctable factors such as inadequate sleep, malnutrition, or habitual sedentary lifestyle.”
 
Did you know that not getting enough sleep doesn’t just cause you to be cranky or feel fatigued? Not getting enough sleep affects every part of your body. “Immune cells migrate. During the sleep phase, immune cells at early stages of differentiation peak in peripheral blood and lymph nodes,” states a study done on how sleep affects the immune system. What this study showed is that during sleep the immune cells were able to fight against inflammation and pathogens better than when we are awake.
 
“Much like any other biological system, the immune system is a reflection of our overall health. Eat too much fat, smoke cigarettes, get little sleep, and experience a lot of stress, and your immune system will become weak and less able to protect you,” states The Melaleuca Wellness Guide.
 
The immune system is not the only part of your body that is affected by not getting enough sleep. Your cardiovascular health can also be compromised as sleep “is involved in healing and repairing your heart and blood vessels. Deprivation of sleep is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.”
 
Poor sleep is also linked to higher body weight as sleep maintains the hormones that make you feel hungry or full. Thus without enough sleep, you may feel hungrier than you would if you had gotten enough sleep. And how your body reacts to insulin is affected, which can lead to a risk for diabetes.
 
Not getting enough sleep affects us on many levels, but don’t beat yourself up for not getting enough sleep. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine states that approximately 1 in 3 American adults aren’t getting enough sleep. So how do you get “enough” sleep?
 
Advice from The Melaleuca Wellness Guide: “Insomnia is a condition characterized by the inability of a person to fall asleep or by wakefulness in the middle of the night. Approximately one-third of all American adults at one time or another suffer from insomnia. The most common cause of sleeplessness is worry. A stressful lifestyle, indigestion, over-excitement, pain, discomfort, drugs, coffee or other stimulants are other possible causes. General good health is the best approach to preventing insomnia.”
 
RestEZ Sleep Support from Melaleuca can help you fall asleep and have quality sleep when you can’t seem to get to sleep and stay that way. RestEZ is powered by natural ingredients which work synergistically within your body—Melatonin, Ashwagandha, L-Theanine, and Valerian Root.

The hormone melatonin plays a role in your sleep cycle, but daily stress can deplete this much-needed hormone. Various studies concerning sleep and melatonin suggest that supplementation may help increase total sleep time with those suffering from sleep problems. Ashwagandha root extract contains properties that promote sleep for those who have insomnia and anxiety. A study done in 2019 involving individuals from the ages of 18 to 60 showed significant increase in total sleep time and feel of restfulness the next day. L-Theanine is an amino acid found in tea leaves that promotes relaxation. Valerian Root has been widely used for inducing sleep and improving sleep quality.
 
These four ingredients by themselves help promote quality sleep, but together you can be assured that your body will get the much-needed rest and sleep quality it needs to stay healthy.
 
Staying healthy doesn’t just mean getting enough sleep though, making sure your body has sufficient vitamins and minerals for overall good health is important too. Melaleuca’s Vitality Pack and Peak Performance Packs will ensure you are on the road not to just good health—but great health.
 
Essential oils have been used for centuries as an aid to promote falling asleep. Researchers found that lavender aromatherapy increased deep sleep in men and women, and they felt more energized the next morning. Marjoram and Sandalwood oil are two other essential oils that have been used in aromatherapy as a sleeping aid.
 
With RestEZ, the Vitality Pack, and essential oils you have no reason to not get enough ZZZZs.

~ Richard M Barry

Sleep Success Stories

My go-to secret for a good night of sleep is an essential oil blend that I create using PURE essential oils from Melaleuca: Cedarwood, Lavender, Frankincense, Orange, Ylang Ylang, Cinnamon bark, and Fractionated Coconut oil. This combination, as my research has taught me, quiets the central nervous system and promotes feelings of relaxation and happiness in the brain. It is perfect for the end of a stressful day or a late night of work at the computer when my mind cannot shut down. After rolling a very small amount on the soles of my feet, it takes only about 10-15 minutes to work. Before I know it the morning has arrived! What a difference a restful night of sleep can make as we face a new day of responsibilities and opportunities.
 
This blend is a favorite with post-menopausal friends experiencing wakefulness throughout the night. It is non-addictive but should be used only at bedtime because of its relaxing effects.
 
I would also like to add that I only buy Melaleuca's Roll-On oil bottles now. Other ones purchased at a low price elsewhere were prone to leaking, but Melaleuca's bottles have a tight seal. The mini bottles are also nice for sharing my oils with others in need or as samples.

~ Judy

A few years ago my son was having trouble sleeping at night, it was suggested by a friend to try Vetiver in a diffuser. Thankfully, Melaleuca had just introduced Essential Oils to their product line, so I knew I would be getting a good product. I already had Melaleuca's diffuser on hand so I purchased the Vetiver and started using it immediately. What an improvement in his sleep - no more waking me up in the middle of the night, no fears of not being able to fall asleep, he would wake up well-rested. Just recently we ran out of the Vetiver and his sleep has not been good this past week, waking up at 4 am, not getting restful sleep. I am looking forward to my shipment from Melaleuca to show up with the Vetiver so he can start sleeping again! Thank you Melaleuca for all your wonderful products, great customer support, and especially for introducing the Essential Oil line.

~ Cheryl

Aloha Mela family! I have been a vegetarian or vegan for most of my life. I eat food that is free of added chemicals, sprays, etc. I had a food farm and always grow sprouts in my kitchen. I have a very healthy microbiome that keeps the millions of naturally occurring viruses n bacteria in my stomach and digestive tract at bay. I take Melaleuca vitamins daily, including the Nutraview that I need for my faraway vision, else I notice issues within a day. I have had a few occasions where I could not sleep, usually from excitement or a need to get up early. I have tried the SleepEZ and it naturally knocks me out!! So much so that I slept through one appointment.. and I only used half of the recommendation. So, yes, this product, for me, is quite effective! I love the supplemented nutrition I get for Melaleuca. So grateful!

~ Marielle