[Viral Now] Himalayan Salt Lamp Gives You Better Sleep

Insomnia is a widespread problem with around one in three people experiencing sleep deficiency. Occasional episodes of insomnia may come and go without causing any serious problems, but for some people it can last for months or even years at a time. Enduring insomnia can have a significant impact on your quality of life. It can limit what you’re able to do during the day and affect your mood. Like insomnia, migraines can stop people from living a full life with severe attacks leaving some bedridden and unable to function properly.

There are many medical solutions to aid sleep and headache problems but the long-term effects are not ideal. Many people turn to natural remedies such as acupuncture, acupressure and controlling daily habits to ease chronic symptoms. One natural remedy is the Himalayan Salt Lamp which is used in helping people suffering from long-term insomnia and migraines. But what exactly is Himalayan Salt and how does a Himalayan Salt Lamp work?

What Is Himalayan Salt?

Himalayan Salt is a natural rose-coloured rock salt from the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains in Pakistan. It is highly sought after for its nutritional profile as it contains a high number of essential minerals and is regarded as one of the most complete salts in the world. The salt appears in pink due to the presence of ion oxide. Because of its pure form, it is commonly used in cooking as a substitute for regular salt or alternatively as a bath salt.

What Exactly Is A Himalayan Salt Lamp?

In the form of large crystal rocks, Himalayan salt is used to make Salt Lamps which many believe to have a healing ability and is one of today’s most sought after items in the world casting more emphasis on nutrition and holistic health. A bulb or candle is placed in the middle of the salt crystal and can be put anywhere in the home. With the unique amount of essential minerals, the lamp helps eradicate unwanted positive ions from the air and produces negative ions which are almost like a breath of fresh air.

Positive And Negative Ions

The atmosphere around us is made up of positive and negative ions. Negative ions occur more often in nature and they are often created by things like lightning storms, sunlight, waterfalls, and ocean waves. Many scientific studies have shown how negative ions increase the flow of oxygen in the brain and other organs, resulting in higher alertness, decreased drowsiness, and more mental energy. This is why you feel more renewed after a walk by the sea or go outside after a lightning storm. Incredibly, places like waterfalls and beaches where negative ions are produced can have a negative ion concentration of up to 10,000 negative ions per cubic centimetre whereas busy areas such as cities can have negative ion levels as low as 100 ions per cubic centimetre. Negative ions also encourage the release of serotonin which is the neurotransmitter that causes us to feel better.

Despite what you may assume, positive ions are not so great. They are generally emitted by electronic devices like televisions, computers and microwaves. Because we have so many of these appliances in our homes, we are subjected to a high concentration of positive ions on a daily basis. It’s these positive ions that deplete the much-needed negative ions, resulting in higher chances of bad-quality sleep, headaches and general lower well-being.

How Does A Himalayan Salt Lamp Help Insomnia and Migraines?

Negative ions can neutralise positive ions as they bond together and help cleanse the air. When the Salt Lamp is warmed up by the bulb or the flame, it releases negative ions due to the unique combination of the salt and the light source. Salt is hygroscopic, which means it attracts water and the heat source from the lamp and then makes the water evaporate – it’s during this process that the negative ions are released.

Placed next to electrical devices, a Salt Lamp can help reduce the amount of positive ions in the air, thereby reducing the negative effects positive ions pose on our bodies. If you suffer from insomnia or migraines, the positive ions may compound the related symptoms. In this case, placing a Salt Lamp next to your bed can somehow remove the trigger of these symptoms. Having a Himalayan Salt Lamp is pretty much like having a softly glowing natural source of fresh, clean air which can help with producing an invigorating yet calming atmosphere.

Where Can I Buy A Himalayan Salt Lamp?

There are many man-made products you can buy that reduce the amount of positive ions in your home, however a Himalayan Salt Lamp is a natural, cheaper alternative as well as giving off an ambient glow that creates a beautiful atmosphere. You can purchase a lamp from any good holistic store or from any good online store, however, it is very important to make sure that the lamp is from a pure Himalayan Crystal source and not a cheap imitation made from rock salt.

Featured photo credit: Fernando Cortes via shutterstock.com

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Source: Lifehack.org