What Is Sleep? - How to Sleep Better!

How many of you reading this struggle with getting a good night sleep occasionally, frequently, or always?

Better Sleep IS Possible!

I was one of those statistics. After struggling with horrible chronic pain and debilitating insomnia for more than 2 years I couldn't take it anymore. Doctors had me on multiple prescriptions including those to make me sleep (Ambien & Lunesta), fight anxiety (Xanax & Valium), opiates (Suboxone & Oxycodone), and Antidepressants (Zoloft & Cymbalta). But as we tried more and more drugs and higher and higher doses, all it did was make me more into a "zombie". I was unable to feel emotions good or bad and I was numb to the world. Then I learned that these sleep aids which are called "Hypnotic" drugs really don't put you into the deep REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep you need to rejuvenate your body fully.

How Do I Sleep Well Now?

I use a combination of Kava and Kratom coupled with meditation and mindfulness training with apps like "Calm.com" (unpaid promotion) to help take the edge off my crazy day, calm my mind down, and help me stop the endless thoughts from whirling around in my head.

- Matt Frank

Key #1 MINDFULNESS

Mindfulness and meditation. These are concepts that have gained a lot of traction recently in the mainstream media, social media influencers, and lifestyle gurus. There are many who proclaim to have "the secret'' to how to achieve no stress and a better life but this is all marketing hype. Mindfulness is a simple concept. It's been around for thousands of years and practiced by various people groups, religions, and on all the continents of the world.

When something is that universal in the world I tend to pay attention. As a Christian, I was originally opposed to the concept of meditation and mindfulness as I assumed it was "New Age" or "out there". However, Meditation is even in the Holy Scriptures! So regardless of your faith or religious beliefs, Meditation and Mindfulness can be used in conjunction with your beliefs.

Mindfulness is not something that happens instantly. It is the #1 key in achieving healthy sleep habits but it does take practice and patience with yourself. I found that using the "Sleep Stories" or "Deep Sleep Release" Meditations from "Calm.com" app on my phone every night helped me to become more consistent with my sleep. (We do not have an affiliate link with Calm and do not make any money off recommending them)

I recommend that you either download the Calm app, or some comparable program and start exploring the meditation options. There are many free meditations on YouTube as well if you do not want to spend money on a professionally created program.

The key with meditation is calming the mind. Being "okay" with where you are in that moment, giving yourself permission to stop worrying or dwelling on the swirling thoughts of the day or of tomorrow. For me, the key was using Biofeedback (Google has great information about this technology) to "find" the "switch" in my brain that turns off my swirling thoughts and allows me to release myself to drift to sleep with little to no effort. This "switch" involves controlled deep breathing and progressively relaxing the muscles throughout my body. This procedure works nearly 100% of the time for me! (Note: It doesn't start working instantly. Some may find immediate success while others may need to be patient with themselves as they train their minds on letting go of the day.

I will add more about how I specifically mediate in another post soon!

Key #2 Using Natural Products to Aid in Relaxation

Beyond Meditation and Mindfulness is the fact that some of us are too wound up to even begin trying these techniques! If that is you or you want to have a jump-start to learning how to fall asleep naturally without drugs or sleep-aids then you'll want to read this! Kava and Kratom are our primary natural products that we sell here at Laughing Lion Herbs. There are so many uses that have been discovered with many more being scientifically discovered every year! But one of the known benefits to both plants is their ability to help us relax. To "Chill Out".. as it were. Used separately they are effective in aiding us to help wind down before bed. And when used together, the effects are quite remarkable!

KAVA: Kava (Piper methysticum) is a plant that grows in the Pacific Islands region. Mostly notably Fiji, Hawaii, and more. The active component of the plant is the Kavalactones which are found to have many beneficial effects including calming, relaxing, lowering one's sense or feeling of being overwhelmed, and also as a replacement for alcoholic drinks. The effects are often compared to drinking alcohol as they are psychotropic (meaning it can alter your mood) but without causing intoxication so common with Alcohol. The kava plant is harvested for its roots which are where the kavalactones are strongest.

You will want to purchase kava that is Nobel ensuring its quality and purity and that is made from the lateral roots of the plant (those that grow out from the main taproot and branch away from the plant). The Taproot products are of inferior quality and contain more of the less desirable components of the plant that have been known to cause "kava hangovers" and other less-than-desirable effects. Using pure lateral roots is your best way to obtain the effects you want without any side-effects. Laughing Lion Herbs ONLY sells Nobel Lateral Root Kava products so you can be sure that anything you buy from our store will be of the highest quality and purity!

KRATOM: Kratom (Mitragyna Speciosa) is an evergreen tree that grows in SE Asia. Primarily Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia. The leaves were traditionally chewed by workers in the fields hundreds if not thousands of years ago for their energizing properties (as they are related to the coffee family) and the relief they provided for tired muscles. However, as Kratom has made its way to the US, we've discovered that certain strains of Kratom are very effective at calming and promoting relaxation. Red Kratom is the most popular choice for those seeking to rest and relax along with our Award-Winning Blend, "Fuzzy Blanket" which is our #1 selling strain of all time!

Finding the correct dosing of kava and kratom can be a little tricky so we have some articles for you below to help you with that process. Or you can try our pre-made liquid shots which contain Kratom, Kava, or Kratom + Kava in the perfect ratios for ease of use and convenience!

We hope that this article has been helpful for you and if you have any questions at all about these products or about meditation we would be more than happy to help guide you! Our passion is to bring education to the people about these amazing plants so that it removes the mystery and allows anyone to try it! Contact us today at 888-895-7286 or by email at store@laughinglionherbs.com