Good Housekeeping USA – September 2019

(Nancy Kaufman) #1

your mind races at night


Drifting off faster may require more than simply
stowing electronic devices an hour or two
before bed. “Try replacing regular full-spectrum
nightstand or bedroom lights with red bulbs,”
says Jill Carnahan, M.D., a functional-medicine
expert. “I also suggest supplements such as
magnesium glycinate, 5-HTP, melatonin, valerian
or holy basil to help you sleep.” Dr. Carnahan
finds melatonin particularly helpful: As cortisol
levels fall in the evening, melatonin levels rise,

preparing your body for sleep. “Low-dose
formulations are safe and effective when your
body doesn’t produce enough, especially when
you’re jet-lagged and your circadian rhythm is
thrown off,” she says. Check with your doctor
to see what she recommends for your situation.
GH SEAL STAR ZzzQuil Liquid or LiquiCaps,
from $5.50, zzzquil.com LAB LOWDOWN This
non-habit-forming sleep aid contains diphen-
hydramine to help you drift off on restless nights.

sleep stopper

“For people with indoor allergies,
the ideal seven to nine hours
of sleep results in significant
exposure to allergens,” says
Kara Wada, M.D., an allergist
and immunologist and clinical
assistant professor at The Ohio
State University Wexner Medical
Center. A runny nose, sneezing,
snoring, postnasal drip, coughing
or mouth breathing can cause
sleep disturbances for you and
your bedmate. Dr. Wada advises
washing and drying bed linens
on the hot cycle weekly, putting
allergy covers on mattresses
and pillows, keeping pets off your
bed, vacuuming at least weekly
and using a high-efficiency
particulate air (HEPA) filter.
GH seal stars
AllerEase Maximum
Allergy & Bed Bug Zippered
Mattress Protector, from $30,
aller-ease.com
LAB LOWDOWN This encase-
ment provides protection from
dust mites, pollen, dander and
other allergens and keeps your
mattress clean and stain-free.

Protect-A-Bed Allergy &
Dust Mite Protection Kit, from
$170, protectabed.com
LAB LOWDOWN A mattress
encasement, a waterproof terry
mattress pad protector and two
pillow protectors — all hot-water-
washable — have you covered.

Nighttime


reactions


allergies

GH SEAL | CELEBRATING 110 YEARS


2012
The GH Institute tests drugstore blood pres-
sure monitors and finds that many readings
are off by more than five points compared
with those taken by a nurse.

2012
In GH Institute tests, nearly half
of workout weights assessed
didn’t weigh the claimed amount.

Cramps not caused by conditions like endometriosis are triggered by the release of substances called prostaglan-


dins. “A proven home remedy is the application of heat to the abdomen, with heating pads, patches or hot baths,”


which may relax the muscles, says Julianne Biroschak, M.D., an ob/gyn at Westmed. Exercise, yoga or meditation


can also soothe, as can ibuprofen or naproxen. If the pain is new or lasts more than three days, see your doctor.


GH seal star Always Infinity Pads with FlexFoam, from $6, always.com LAB LOWDOWN These pads are extra thin and flexible for a more com-
fortable feel and less bulk, so they move when you do. They’re available in five sizes for day and nighttime coverage on heavy and light days.

Heavy or painful periods


horrible hormones

76 GH^ SEPTEMBER 2019


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