Or, perhaps, a cup of tea...

If it's night time, and you can't sleep, you really shouldn't be drinking cocoa, and certainly not coffee.

Insomnia and trouble sleeping at night is very common for people who suffer from PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), and survivors of childhood sexual abuse have as high as an 80% risk of developing PTSD, especially if the abuser was someone they knew (and 90% of the time -- sadly -- it is).

So... can't sleep, or feeling out of sorts? Try a cup of tea. The pressure point advice I have in my last post works just as well (holding the warm -- NOT hot -- cup against your chest, in the center). Teas that are wonderful for anxiety are kava kava (look in the health food store -- this is AMAZING stuff. Be careful, you may not be able to take it if you are on SSRIs, or if your liver isn't so great... so check with your doctor), chamomile (which has been shown through research to lower anxiety in people who drink a cup or two a day), mint tea, or a combination of chamomile and mint tea (one brand on the market sells this, under the name SleepyTime tea).

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The risk of a child developing PTSD from abuse goes down if they received help and therapy when they are younger, closer to the time of the crime. But, the ideal, of course, is if we can prevent the abuse from every happening.

Are you concerns about an adult who you wonder may be at risk for abusing a child? Know the signs. Check out Stopitnow.org for great tips, and call their free helpline for advice -- 1.888.PREVENT.

Quick recipe here for my comfort cocoa...

hot water
1-3 tsp of cocoa mix (the kind that is for making chocolate milk that already has the sugar -- of course, it's probably healthier without the sugar, but, you know...)
.5 tsp of instant coffee (leave out if drinking at night -- but for the blogathon, I added 1 tsp!)
'bout 1/8-1/4 tsp of cinnamon
Drop or two of vanilla extract
Some milk (I use rice milk, can't have dairy -- dairy is better, though)

And, if you have, a drop or 3 of Rescue Remedy, Bach Flowers...

Mix all that in a nice mug, something big and easy to hold. When it's not too hot, try holding the mug up against your chest, near the center, the "hug" spot -- this is a point which triggers feelings of comfort when pressed, and a warm (not HOT) mug gently held here will help you calm down,

It also might make you cry.... but it will be good crying. Healthy crying...

(More comfort coming up next)