| Until recently, most lists of major factors that influence peoples health didnt include sleep. But growing research has linked inadequate sleep to many health problemsincluding injuries, depression, and obesity. Experts now recognize that getting good-quality sleep is vital for mental and physical health, quality of life, and safety. Some people dont get enough sleep because they dont allow enough time for it. Others dont sleep enough because they have insomnia or another sleep disorder. Several complementary health approaches have been studied to see whether they are helpful for insomnia. The evidence for some approaches, such as mindfulness-based stress reduction and relaxation techniques, is promising. Others, including the herbs chamomile and valerian, have not been shown to be helpful. | 