Robert S. Rosenberg - The Doctors Guide to Sleep Solutions for Stress and Anxiety: Combat Stress and Sleep Better Every Night

THE DOCTORS GUIDE TO

COMBAT STRESS AND SLEEP EASIER EVERY NIGHT

ROBERT S. ROSENBERG, D.O., F.C.C.P.

2016 Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.

Text 2016 Robert S. Rosenberg, D.O., F.C.C.P.

First published in the United States of America in 2016 by

Fair Winds Press, an imprint of

Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.

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All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without prior permission in writing from the publisher. All images in this book have been reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent of the artists concerned, and no responsibility is accepted by producer, publisher, or printer for any infringement of copyright or otherwise, arising from the contents of this publication. Every effort has been made to trace the copyright holders and ensure that credits accurately comply with information supplied. We apologize for any inaccuracies that may have occurred and will resolve inaccurate or missing information in a subsequent reprinting of the book.

Digital edition published in 2016

Digital edition: 978-1-63159-169-3
Softcover edition: 978-1-59233-724-8

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available.

Design, cover image and page layout: Landers Miller Design

Illustrations: Rick Landers except for by Gayle Isabelle Ford

The information in this book is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice of a physician or medical practitioner. Please see your health-care provider before beginning any new health program.

To my four children,
Jason, Rebecca, Benjamin,
and Matthew Rosenberg,
whom my wife Christine
and I love dearly.

T ossing and turning at night, especially if something is worrying you, is common. As you watch the hours pass on your bedside clock, your tension increases. You may wake up restless and exhausted, and your energy suffers for the rest of the day.

You are not alone. Insufficient sleep plagues almost half of the global population. You are likely experiencing one of these issues when you try to sleep at night:

Too much stress

A worried mind

A health problem

Anxiety

Irritation

Think about the stressors in your life right now. Are you dealing with a difficult project at work? Have you been arguing with your spouse? Are you concerned because money is tight? These stressors can prevent you from sleeping and cause you to have fitful nights. Not sleeping also triggers stress hormones and increases your response to minor stressors. You may not notice these ill effects until you eventually become sick, or another health issue crops up.

Disturbed sleep and sleep deprivation worsen stress patterns. They can lead to the common sleep disorder of insomnia, characterized by the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep. People who experience insomnia are rarely able to nap during the day because they are in a state of hyperarousal. In this state, the brain and body do not turn off the fight-or-flight response and they are on constant alert for danger and scanning for threats. Their main symptom is fatigue. Insomnia could come on suddenly and last briefly, or it can become a serious disorder, affecting your ability to think and function well. If not addressed, this persistent sleep disorder negatively affects your mood, mental function, and overall health.

Stress and lack of sleep create a cycle of tension that is hard to break, but there are solutions. This book will explain how stress and anxiety affect your sleeping, eating, emotional health, physical well-being, and mental clarityand what you can do to overcome them and achieve better sleep. Promise yourself now to choose and apply the best strategies from the book that pertain to you for better sleep and improved health.