Chiropractic Tips for Getting a Better Night’s Sleep
Getting a good night’s sleep should be at the top of your to-do list every night. Sleep is critical to good health and is important to not only feeling good but also in making good decisions, performing well at work, driving safely and even with feeling happy.
When we get 6 to 8 hours of quality sleep, we’re in a better mood and more energetic.
Sometimes it can be challenging to get a good night’s sleep. Sleep can be the one of the most elusive of health goals, even more so than exercise. Many people accept this as a way of life and find that their health declines, but most never put the two together.
There are plenty of things that you can do to improve your sleep.
Take time to destress
The worst culprit limiting sleep is stress. Stress is so deeply rooted in our daily lives that often we just don’t notice it anymore. Decreasing it can be as easy as taking a few minutes of “me time” every day. This could be as easy as 30 minutes of your favorite TV show, reading a good book, or going to the gym.
Avoid sleep aids
Medications that are marketed to promote sleep are shown to actually decrease deep REM sleep. REM sleep is where we sleep our deepest and heal and it’s vital to maintaining health.
Limit caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant, which is why so many of us need that cup of coffee first thing in the morning. It’s also addictive. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize they’re addicted until they try to stop drinking it and experience symptoms like mood swings and headaches. If you do drink caffeine, limit your consumption to before noon to allow your body enough time to metabolize it.
Say no to all-nighters
Missing one night of sleep can take up to 2 weeks to recover.
Keep technology out of your bed
Computer, phone, and TV use can prevent sleep from coming easily. Limit technology use to 15 minutes before bed. Try reading before bed to get away from your electronic equipment and relax your brain.
What are you eating?
Eating protein a few hours before bed is very important since protein is required to make new cells and is pivotal in our rest and digestion process. Avoid carbohydrates as they’re used for energy and we don’t want to be amped up before bedtime.
Sleep in a dark room
Having lights on during sleep or a brightly lit alarm clock interferes with the amount of melatonin produced naturally in the body. Make sure your room is dark for the best night’s sleep.
Get adjusted
Subluxation of the spine prevents the brain and nervous system from communicating properly and pressure on the spinal cord and brain stem prevents people from achieving deep sleep. A visit to your chiropractor can help you get a better night’s sleep!
