It’s ironic I turned on the tv today, and Dr. Oz was talking about the MYTH that melatonin is a safe, all natural sleeping aid.
His guest was Dr. Michael Breus, a sleep specialist, who was setting the audience straight.
“Melatonin is marketed as a sleeping pill.
Melatonin is a sleep regulator…to change your body clock. It doesn’t actually initiate sleep….That is not what it is designed to do.”
Some of the research is pretty new…Remember, it’s a hormone, not a vitamin, not a mineral…It’s something we need to consider very seriously.
You might consider taking melatonin if you are a shift worker*….flying from coast to coast*….or eldery.
Nothing could be worse than giving a child melatonin because we don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Web MD does not suggest taking melatonin for trouble sleeping, but does not say it isn’t safe.
Dr. Oz and Dr. Breus offered up PROGESSIVE MUSCLE RELAXATION that everyone can do for a good night’s sleep.
You have to tense your muscles first so then you can relax them.
Here’s the process of tensing and relaxation moving from head to toe:
- Sitting in a chair with uncrossed legs, close your eyes and and take a deep breath for 4 counts. Exhale for 4 counts. Repeat 4 times.
- Squint your eyes when you inhale for 4 counts. Release for 4 counts as you exhale. Repeat once.
- Scrunch your shoulders when you inhale for 4 counts. Release for 4 counts as you exhale. Repeat once.
- Make a fist when you inhale for 4 counts. Release for 4 counts as you exhale. Repeat once.
- Take 2 final big breaths and exhales for 4 counts.
The EEG showed how the brain relaxes and “moves in the right direction” towards sleep.
Hmm…..
I guess a minute of silence and deep breathing would help and is the most natural aid we have at our disposal. But will it work and will I do it when I’m tucked into bed after watching Game of Thrones? That is real question, right?
What I can say for sure is that I won’t be taking any more melatonin. (I’ll just have an extra glass of wine. Shhhh;))
*Statements that go against previous studies sited on Wikipedia
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