Thursday, September 22, 2011

Are You Sleeping Well?

More and more Americans suffer from sleep issues. Insomnia and the accompanying fatigue are concerns that we see frequently in our clinic. While acupuncture an herbal medicine can be very effective for restoring healthy sleep, there are many things that you can do on a daily basis to improve the quality of your sleep. These tips may help you to get to sleep, stay asleep, and wake up well rested, ready to greet the day.

1. Have a regular sleep-wake schedule.  Regularity helps the body to get into deeper and more restful sleep.
2. Purchase room darkening shades for you bedroom to block out all light. The  hormone melatonin is released naturally by the pineal gland when there is darkness.  Melatonin helps to regulate the circadian rhythms that relate to sleep.
3. Avoid eating large meals for 2-3 hours before bedtime. Activity of the digestive system keeps the body active and makes it harder to sleep.
4. Some of our clients report disturbed sleep after eating a lot of carbohydrates throughout the day. Try to notice if this is a concern for you.
5. Avoid electronics before bed. Check you email and do your web searches during the day.

You deserve a good night's rest every night! Changes in lifestyle can have a great impact on your quality of sleep. For more information please contact our office.