Abstract

Periods of sleep disturbance due to acute stress or environmental change are common human experiences. The prevalence of general sleep disturbance experienced by people over a year is estimated at approximately 85% while the estimate of diagnosed chronic insomnia is estimated at around 10%. Pathophysiology to sleep disorders involve : hyperarousal of the nervous system, GABA dis-regulation, & HPA axis hyper-activation. There are lots of risk factors and economic impact involved. Naturopathic treatment and health coaching aims to : -asses the causes of sleep disorders -educate on good sleep practises -regulate HPA function and GABA activity -Encourage beneficial lifestyle changes -address external stressors - use the correct western herbal medicine ( hmulus lupulus, valeriana officinalis, withania somnifera, agnus castus) to rehabilitate cause and symptoms of insomnia.