Suzanne Somers’ 7 Natural Tips for Deep Sleep

Recently on "The Suzanne Show", we discussed sleep-related issues with Dr. Scott Fogle from Life Extension, including why our sleep gets disrupted and the options for helping us get that restorative night's rest. Every time I do a lecture, I ask the women in the audience, "How many of you sleep 5 hours or less per night?" And nearly every hand in the room goes up. We are a nation of sleep-deprived zombies!

As we age, our hormones decline and this upsets the delicate balance. When our estrogen and progesterone dip, it causes our cortisol (stress hormone) to
stay elevated. If cortisol is raised, you will have a very hard time sleeping! That's why so many of us are up all night watching TV, on our computers, cleaning house, and tapping our fingers praying for the sandman to visit so we can get the rest we need. (And raised cortisol is also responsible for belly fat so­ let's get rid of that, too!)

So what to do when you can't sleep? Many reach for sleeping pills ­- you know that little blue butterfly that floats upon your shoulder in the ads and gently helps put you into a dream state? Well, those pills may put you to sleep, but not actually in a sleep state; you are placed into a suspended state during which none of the healing hormone work takes place in your body. You wake having rested, but you will not be restored.

Here are 7 Tips for Natural Sleep.

1. Balance your hormones with bioidentical hormone replacement. If you
are pre-menopausal or menopausal with diminished estrogen and progesterone, restoring these lost hormones will help you get the sleep
you need.

2. Turn down the lights several hours before you go to bed. Light candles. Begin the process of calming your environment.

3. Turn off the electronics 2 hours before bedtime. I get emails and posts from friends LATE at night who spend their sleepless hours catching up on work. It makes it worse! Turn off the stimulating distractions. Try soft music instead.

4. Take melatonin, ­ a natural sleep hormone. This is what your own body produces for sleep. I recommend a time-released variety to help you go to
sleep and stay asleep.

5. Take GABA, ­ a calming natural supplement to quiet the lists in the brain.

6. Sleep in total darkness - ­ the darker the better. Cover any clock lights ­ because even small lights can keep you from getting a restful sleep.

7. Sleep at least 8 hours a night - this will help you restore important
hormonal balance, give you more energy, and help you to lose weight!

Watch "The Suzanne Show" on Wednesday mornings at 7 am/6c.