Do you ever feel like you are just going through the motions of life day after day after day maybe not getting enough sleep and now you feel as if you are turning into a walking zombie?

My husband has had insomnia for about three years now (wait a minute, come to think of it that is how long we’ve been married – go figure). Sometimes he cannot wind down and stays up until 3 am before he can go to sleep. Then there are the other nights he can go to sleep early but then will wake up half-way through the night and stay up until I get up which is around 6:00 am. Most mornings I wake up to find him on the couch because he didn’t want to wake me.

This is really starting to weigh on both of us. Before I get your hate mail I will tell you, I am very sympathetic because I have to take a natural sleep aid to go to sleep every night and I know how frustrating the lack of sleep can be. It makes you cranky, wears down your immune system and can make your life a living hell (and the lives of those around you).

I know for myself, being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, I am suppose to have 10-12 hours a sleep each night and I can tell you I haven’t been able to sleep that long since I was a teenager.

They say that people who do get enough sleep (about 7-9 hours a night) are more likely to be more productive, feel more energetic throughout the day, and experience less stress? Getting the right amount of sleep is crucial for concentration, memory formation, and repairing and rejuvenating the cells of the body. Both mentally and physically, a good night’s sleep is essential for your health and your energy.

Add lack of sleep to an already stressed life of a family caregiver and you have MAJOR issues. I know that after my husband and I married and he moved to Alabama not knowing anyone, now dealing with a teenager when he had no children, the stress of a new job and new family certainly could have caused him to not be able to sleep.

I can remember we finally took him to the doctor about it and the doctor gave him Ambien. There were nights I would wake up at 3 am to seeing him in the kitchen eating peanuts and feeding the dog peanuts in his underwear. Of course he would never remember that when I would mention it the following day. There are some crazy side effects to that drug. I remember reading on the insert “side effects can be driving while sleeping” and I was like, what?

The Problem – Waking Up at Night

Unfortunately, experts estimate that more than 70 million Americans have persistent trouble falling or staying asleep (that’s a lot of folks). I’m sure there are many of you who if not currently, but sometime in the past have suffered with this same thing and you know how frustrating it can be to lie awake in bed at night, tossing and turning. It’s awful – you wake up feeling dazed and confused especially if it continues for several days in a row.

Something has to give

There are a lot of natural sleep aids (like those I use) which contain melatonin that helps regulate sleeping cycles and is made up of antioxidants. Most natural sleep aids have essential herbal ingredients that promote calming affects that lead to quality sleep. The better you sleep, the more energetic and awake you will feel in the morning and throughout the day. Here is a link to an article regarding the benefits of natural sleep supplements http://www.buzzle.com/articles/the-benefits-of-herbal-sleep-supplements.html.

So are you like me, do you LOVE GNC? Well GNC has come out with a new product called SOMNAPURE that I am rushing out to buy and see if what they claim to be the top product for sleep supplements is accurate.

Somnapure is supposed to contain a “superior formula” of herbal ingredients such as chamomile and passion-flower, which have a calming effect on the body, in addition to melatonin. They say it helps you get back into a healthy sleeping routine – (GOD, PLEASE LET THIS WORK). It’s also suppose to help you fall asleep faster, sleep through the night, and wake up feeling completely refreshed. They swear that you will (and I quote) “feel the calming effects the first time you take it.”

Disclaimer: No, I’m not trying to sell you this product.

Well, I’m off to GNC. I can’t wait to have Nicky try this product and see if it helps. I’ll be sure and report back to you. Poor Nicky, he’s way overdue for some well-deserved sleep.

What works for you? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experience with this issue.