The mono blog

Did you know that over 60% of Westerners are chronically sleep deprived? This is a concern because inadequate sleep is known to be a stress to the body. It can even decrease the number and effectiveness of the white blood cells that kill the Epstein Barr virus.

Many of my patients report that their Epstein Barr began during a period of intense stress and the lack of sleep that accompanies it. Stress and sleep deprivation can result from school or university exams, intensive physical training, long hours at work, job loss, divorce, the birth of a baby or the death of a loved one.

In some cases people find that they can’t get out of bed, their body is racked by muscle aches and pains, they have constant nausea, a raging sore throat, painful swollen glands and feelings of being helpless and totally overwhelmed.

Without taking the time to rest the body, the body will never fully recover. I have seen far too many patients who try to push through their symptoms and struggle with daily life, only to find that they end up with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or fibromyalgia – a chronic condition of fatigue and muscle pain.

If you are recovering from Epstein Barr, it is essential that you get at least 8 – 10 hours sleep a night. This is when your body produces growth hormone which help repairs your body. Resolve to get to bed at a reasonable time – preferably by 10 p.m. During the day, a power nap of 30 – 60 minutes will help recharge your batteries and magnify your body’s healing powers.

The quality of sleep also counts. You need to go into a deep, unbroken sleep that leaves you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Some patients go into a light, restless sleep punctuated with nightmares and bad dreams, as fevers run their course. They wake up exhausted, unrefreshed and feeling just plain awful.

If this sounds like you, you need to work with the simple natural therapies that help you enjoy a deep, rejuvenating, unbroken sleep. This can include taking some natural sleep-inducing herbs like valerian, skullcap and passionflower, taking some nutrients like magnesium, vitamin C and the B complex, and doing some stress-reducing techniques like meditation, yoga and deep breathing. A hot Epsom salt bath before bed can also help relax your muscles and help you sleep.

Make sleep and stress reduction a priority, and your body will reap the benefits of renewed energy and a faster recovery from Epstein Barr.

All the tips and techniques to turn your sleep patterns can be found in my Mononucleosis Cures e-book.