Ten to fifteen percent of Americans suffer from chronic insomnia. Do you? Most of us experience an occasional sleepless night, but prolonged bouts of insomnia can lead to decreased mental function, frazzled nerves and lowered immunity. The good news is that you don’t have to pop a pill or count sheep. Just follow these simple, natural steps to get more Zs.
1) Exercise regularly, but don’t exercise within six hours of your bedtime. Physical activity speeds your heart rate and metabolism, making it difficult to wind down at night. Try to schedule you workouts in the morning, so you can benefit from that extra energy during the day.
2) Avoid caffeine after noon. Caffeine is a stimulant found in coffee, tea, cola and chocolate. Some people clear caffeine from their bodies slowly (you know who you are). These people should avoid caffeine completely.
3) Avoid alcohol. Many people find that alcohol helps them relax at night. Although it may help induce sleep initially, alcohol disrupts you normal sleep patterns, leaving you tired and groggy in the morning.
4) Keep regular sleeping hours. Your body likes routine and will respond better to a consistent bedtime.
5) Don’t work at a computer or watch television for at least one hour before you go to bed. These activities stimulate your mind at a time when you should be preparing for rest.
6) Avoid eating large, late evening meals. Do eat a light snack a couple of hours before retiring to avoid low blood sugar levels in the middle of the night, which can wake you up.;
7) Decrease light in your bedroom. A dark environment is necessary for the production of melatonin, a hormone that encourages a healthy sleep cycle.
8) Try yoga or meditation to clear you mind and help prepare your body for sleep. Like regular sleeping hours, a steady practice will yield the greatest benefits.
In addition, if your insomnia is caused or made worse by aches and pains at night, it may be time for a new mattress and/or pillow. Your sleeping surface should support the entire body, including the spine, neck, head and limbs, evenly with no gaps. Unfortunately choosing a mattress and pillow is a very individual process.
Make sure you deal with a mattress company that will give you some sort of guarantee for 30-90 days that allows you to return the mattress if it doesn’t work out for you. Usually their will be a restocking fee of $200 or so which is better that keeping something for 10 years that just doesn’t work for you.
Of course, Chiropractic care can also help promote better sleep by correcting imbalances and tension in the body, so that you can relax completely.
If you have any further questions, please give us a call at 378-5660 or go to our website at sanjuanholistichealthcare.com. Yours in Health,
Mark W. Earnhart, D.C.
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