Can’t Sleep? Try Topical Magnesium To Boost Your Zzz’s
In the past six months, since Covid 19’s arrival in New York City, our patients have consistently shared with us their issues with anxiety and sleep. While cases here have been down for the past few months, despite things gradually opening up, there is still much they are anxious about. With many people returning from places they escaped to in the summer, schools starting and colder weather coming, NYers are concerned about a second wave. Additionally, with cases still surging in many parts of the country as well as the globe there is also worry that visitors may bring the virus with them. Ongoing stress over social justice issues also contributes to our patients telling us they are still not getting the best night’s sleep.
In this article, we’ll discuss the body’s stress response, why people are feeling anxious and how this impacts sleep patterns. More importantly, we’ll also discuss strategies to help manage these issues through acupuncture, diet, exercise, sleep hygiene and supplements, plus introduce our new She Mind Body product, Calm Mag+ Oil.
During times of high stress the body responds by releasing cortisol into the bloodstream. Cortisol is often referred to as the “stress hormone.” You may have also heard the stress response called the “fight or flight” response, which has helped humans respond to dangerous situations for thousands of years. A small amount of cortisol helps regulate blood pressure and blood sugar and keeps us alert. The problem occurs when we are in a chronic state of stress and our body never calms down from this heightened state. Too much cortisol contributes to increased blood sugar levels and can lead to weight gain, digestive issues, heart disease, a suppressed immune system and poor sleep.
Normally cortisol has a regulatory effect on the sleep/wake cycle. In the early morning cortisol levels start to rise and peak around 9 am. This brings heightened alertness to begin our days. Similarly, in the evening, cortisol levels drop and hit their low around midnight, thus promoting sleep. When cortisol levels remain high all day due to heightened stress the result leaves us with a feeling of anxiety and fitful sleep patterns.
There are several healthy ways to combat stress and high cortisol levels. Daily exercise and meditation are proven methods to reduce stress. Reducing sugar and alcohol in the diet will also help. Other techniques include, getting into the practice of going to bed at the same time each evening, turning off your electronic devices by 8 pm and avoiding highly stimulating news late in the day. Regular acupuncture treatments calm the nervous system and helps regulate cortisol levels.
The stress generated by Covid and social justice issues was the inspiration for our new She Mind Body product, Calm Mag+ Oil, designed to help our patients manage their stress and anxiety during these difficult times. Magnesium is a necessary mineral for health and wellness, and because it can be difficult to consume adequate levels through the diet we have developed a transdermal application that offers you a secondary application to internal supplements and diet.
Our innovative blend of magnesium chloride, St.John’s wort, aloe, arnica extract and lavender, helps to boost magnesium levels while offering a calming effect to sore muscles and stressed out nervous systems. It is best used each night before bed, massaged into sore muscles, chest and wherever your body feels tense.
References
“Beware High Levels of Cortisol, the Stress Hormone,” Feb. 5th, 2017, Premier Health, Retrieved from: https://www.premierhealth.com/your-health/articles/women-wisdom-wellness-/beware-high-levels-of-cortisol-the-stress-hormone
Breus, M., April 10, 2020, “The Effects of Cortisol on your Sleep,” Psychology Today, Retrieved from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sleep-newzzz/202004/the-effects-cortisol-your-sleep