In fact, that's exactly what his new CD is for. We've all been there. You're on the couch vainly trying to keep your eyes open while watching junk food television. Eventually, you come to the conclusion you're exhausted and should call it a night.

Cornwall, ON ~ Friday September 26th 2008

You plunk yourself down in bed, you can't wait for blissful sleep to overtake your body.

So what happens? You're awake half the night, tossing and turning, every worry, every anxiety, every iota of a problem coursing through your mind.  The more you try, the more difficult it becomes to nod off. Then you're pooped the next day, you're stressed and you don't sleep well again. What happened?

According to Kingston's Dr. Edward Leyton, a highly qualified family physician who's focused his career on alternative medicine for several years now, it's a matter of preparation, as well as our hectic lifestyles.

"In ancient times, there was no light and our bodies produced melatonin naturally," said the physician. "We have a lot of light stimulus now at night, and a person may suffer a fatigued tiredness, but their rhythm is not correct.

"When you go to bed, you are decreasing visual stimulation, but you still have thoughts and as soon as you lie down, it's intellectual stimulation which overcomes you."

Leyton operates the Integrative Medicine Clinic where for the past 25 years he has practiced orthodox and complementary therapies, such as acupuncture, nutrition and psychotherapy. The clinic is not an alternative to orthodox treatments, but combines the best of both healing worlds. Part of his practice deals with patients attempting to overcome phobias and tensions, including sleep disorders. In 2005, he and his wife, Andrea, recorded a CD, "Learn to Unwind," as well as "Learn to Enjoy Your Flight," which helps those who suffer from a fear of flying, or aviaphobia. This past spring they released a two-CD set, "Learn to Sleep Peacefully -- Awake Refreshed," which helps people break the vicious cycle of insomnia.

When Andrea contacted me a couple of weeks ago asking if I'd be interested in reviewing it, I jumped on the opportunity immediately, having had more sleepless nights than I care to admit.  The set introduces listeners to what happens during sleep and gives tips for preparing for sleep. You also learn about power napping, something anyone can take during the day to re-energize. The second CD is a 60-minute sleep inducing track which uses special techniques for quieting your mind and inducing a peaceful sleep state.

Andrea recommended I listen to number one first, then the second: naturally, I immediately went to number two.

So I get ready to tuck myself in for the night.  I've plopped the disc into the player and turn out the lights, then start to listen, Dr. Leyton reassuring me that my mind will rest, I deserve this sleep, that my subconscious mind will look after whatever needs to be done. Then, a few minutes later, Andrea's voice, too, starts to talk in the background . . . I hear words, but I'm not quite sure what they are, nor do I particularly care. I'm out.

I try the same thing a few nights later, determined that as an intrepid reporter, it's my duty to hear the whole shebang. Same thing happens.  I listen midday. Zzzzzzz.

"It's really conversational hypnosis," explains Leyton. "You don't have to formally put people in a trance, and trance is really just a focused state of awareness.  "Essentially, what we do is give you images that your unconscious mind latches on to, and that direct you away from thoughts keeping you awake."

The actual talking, I learn (remember, I kept falling asleep) between the couple only goes on about 15 minutes; after that, there's ambient sound designed to gently coax you into slumber.

"We assign them a certain frequency that takes you from beta rhythm -- what you would experience in the daytime -- through to delta rhythm, or a deep sleep state," Leyton said. "Alpha is what we call a meditation rhythm where you're still awake, but relaxed, while a REM sleep is where your dreaming is done.  "It usually takes a person about one hour to fall into a deep sleep. During the course of an eight-hour sleep, a person will go through 90-minute cycles of delta-alpha-rem."

Leyton did his residency in family medicine at Queen's University from 1975-78. In those days, he says, it was rare for physicians to discuss the concept of "wellness," as opposed to "illness." A year of specialization in biofeedback, followed by subsequent training in gestalt therapy, acupuncture, clinical hypnosis, neuro-linguistic programming and psychotherapy, led him to where he is today.

Clients may be self-referred, or referred by their own physicians. As well, on his website www.arfe.ca. those  interested may register for free healthy tips, plus there's samples of all of the CDs. "Many of my patients are Queen's students, but I see people of all ages. I wanted to produce things people can use themselves, that will help them enjoy life. What's especially rewarding about this is you realize you've given people practical tools to use for the rest of their life," Leyton said.

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Forty winks

WHAT: Physician and psychotherapist Dr. Edward Leyton has released a new 2-CD set to help those who have trouble sleeping.

COST: $28.95 (2cds), $29.95 (MP3 download).

OTHERS: Previous CDs Learn to Unwind and Learn to Enjoy Your Flight are also available for purchase ($21.95 or $19.95 for MP3 download).

AVAILABLE: Chapters, Indigo Books or at www.arfe.ca