Insomnia is characterized by an inability to sleep and/or to remain asleep for a reasonable period. One who suffers from insomnia will typically complain of being unable to close their eyes or “rest their mind” for more than a few minutes at a time. Insomnia is a symptom, though a common misconception is that it is itself a sleep disorder. Insomnia is most often caused by sleep disorders, but other causes include fear, stress, anxiety, medications, herbs and caffeine. An overactive mind or physical pain may also be a cause. Finding the underlying cause of insomnia is usually necessary to cure it. Treatment for Insomnia Many insomniacs rely on sleeping tablets and other sedatives to try to get some rest. Others use herbs such as valerian, chamomile, lavender, hops, and/or passion-flower. The psychoactive plant cannabis sativa commonly known as marijuana has also been reputed to induce drowsiness in its user, however, use of cannabis sativa for treatment of insomnia is unlawful in most jurisdictions. Some traditional remedies for insomnia have included drinking warm milk before bedtime, taking a warm bath in the evening; exercising vigorously for half an hour in the afternoon, eating a large lunch and then having only a light evening meal at least three hours before bed, avoiding mentally stimulating activities in the evening hours, and making sure to get up early in the morning and to retire to bed at a reasonable hour. Traditional Chinese medicine has included treatment for insomnia throughout its history. A typical approach may utilize acupuncture, dietary and lifestyle analysis, herbology and other techniques, with the goal to resolve the problem at a subtle level. Although these methods have not been scientifically proven, some insomniacs report these remedies are sufficient to break the insomnia cycle without the need for sedatives and sleeping tablets[citation needed]. Warm milk contains high levels of tryptophan, a natural sedative. Using aromatherapy, including lavender oil and other relaxing essential oils, may also help induce a state of restfulness. The most commonly used class of hypnotics prescribed for insomnia are the benzodiazepines. This includes drugs such as temazepam, diazepam, lorazepam, nitrazepam and midazolam. These medications can be addictive, especially after taking them over long periods of time. Some antidepressants such as mirtazapine, trazodone and doxepin have a sedative effect, and are prescribed off label to treat insomnia. Low doses of Atypical antipsychotics such as Seroquel are also sometimes prescribed for their sedative effect. The more relaxed a person is, the greater the likelihood of getting a good night’s sleep. Relaxation techniques such as meditation have been proven to help sleep. They take stress from the mind and body which leads to a deeper more restful sleep. Disclaimer The information presented here should not be interpreted as medical advice. If you or someone you know suffers from insomnia, please seek professional medical advice for the latest treatment options. Permission is granted to reprint this article as long as no changes are made, and the entire resource box is included.
Archive for January 31st, 2010
Tips For Painless Insurance Selling Although it is a very profitable market, selling insurance can be like any other sales job if you don’t know what you’re doing. You might be all hyped up in the first few months of selling to your warm markets – when you’re still persuading your friends and family to take out an insurance policy. But if you’re like the next insurance agent, you might find it harder to close sales once you’re through with the warm markets and have to move on to the zone of the dreaded cold markets. But seasoned insurance agents will tell you that there actually ways to navigate the cold markets such that it becomes a less painful, and maybe even enjoyable, experience. The problem with most insurance agents is that they often take on a gather-gather approach to cold calling. Everyone and anyone is a sales lead, without careful thought and consideration of the prospect’s (a) actual need, and (b) capacity to pay. In the old days, slammed doors were often the norm rather than the exception for insurance agents. These days, nobody has to put up with that kind of cold treatment. There are certainly new ways of doing old things, and you use technology to your advantage, to boot. Warming Friends Of Friends Nobody will ever buy from you if people don’t like you, or even trust, you. The great thing about warm markets is that the trust factor is already there, that is, unless if you’ve habitually ripped them off. They will also trust you enough to refer some of their own friends to you, although they won’t necessarily volunteer their references to you – you have to ask it from them. Do Your Research Don’t be lazy about finding out if your prospect would need the product, if he or she can afford it, or both – he or she needs it and can afford it. Talking to someone who needs the product and can afford it invariably pares down your work to just making your prospect believe how good your product is. Essentially, you need to market your products in a way that would strike a chord with your prospects at the emotional level, whether that be of love, fear or greed. People buy products because of emotional factors and rationalize their purchase AFTER the fact of buying. Sign Up With Insurance Leads Sites There are many insurance leads websites looking for insurance agents who can work on their pre-qualified leads. Some sites will even set you up for an appointment with a client for signing an insurance plan, essentially what you have to do is just to sell new products to an old customer. There are many insurance agents who quit the business after just a few years. But you should know that insurance agents earn more than people who work 9 to 5 jobs. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 2006, insurance agents earned an average of $58,450 while the average American family earned only $48,201.