Restless Legs.
Typical symptoms include an unpleasant, creepy crawley itching or tugging sensations in your legs with an irresistable urge to keep moving them around. It tends to get worse in the evening and movement is the only thing that brings relief.
Restless leg syndrome often runs in families and is more common in over 65s and pregnant women, although the condition usually disappears after giving birth. There is no known cause in most cases although it is sometimes linked to an iron deficiency. Other possible culprits are low levels of calcium and magnesium and poor circulation.
Self help measures to try are:
- Try taking a mineral supplement containing calcium, magnesium and potassium and zinc.
- Limit tea and coffee. Have a cup of herbal tea instead.
- If your legs want to move, indulge them. Get out of bed and take a quick stroll around the house.
- Even though sleep experts advise giving exercise a miss immediately before bed, gentle exercise such as stretching just before bed can be helpful.
- Have a warm bath with a cup of Epsom salts in it.
- Put 30 drops of Valerian tincture in some water and drink - this helps relax the muscles.
- Massage your legs with some almond oil containing a few drops of Roman Chamomile essential oil.
If you just can't sleep after all that, I suppose you'll just have to put on your dancing shoes and go dancing!
Nimsy is the webmaster for Sleep Tips which is about all matters to do with sleep and curing insomnia and sleeplessness with natural remedies.
