In a world that constantly demands more and more of us, one thing is sure; sleep is imperative to our wellbeing. We wake up earlier and go to bed later than ever before: the early bird gets the worm after all. But this mentality is taking years off our lives. Some of us struggle to fall asleep while others cannot stay asleep; sleep problems are one of the most common ailments of Americans. Not sleeping enough can cause problems with concentration, loss of productivity, and other health concerns. People often try many home remedies to solve the issue, but one underused treatment is chiropractic care. Often people report that they slept significantly better after just one adjustment and can sustain that improvement by seeing their chiropractor regularly.
The Benefits of Quality Sleep
As adults, we often prioritize our families and work over our self-care. Sometimes this is unavoidable; however, not getting enough sleep should never be the norm. The benefits of sleep have been studied and proven vital to living a healthy life. Sleep extensively impacts your health.
During sleep, our bodies can rest and reset. Sleep gives our bodies the time it needs to heal from the day-to-day grind. People need to get a full night’s rest regularly. Rest can reduce inflammation in the body, depression, anxiety, lower stress levels, and risk for other illnesses.
The Side Effects of Poor Sleep
Not getting enough sleep affects so many parts of the body and mind that it changes your whole mood. Sometimes it can be something as small as being cranky or irritable, but prolonged lack of sleep can lead to:
- Weight gain
- Memory problems
- Poor motor control
- Difficulty focusing
- High blood sugar
- High blood pressure
- Weakened immune system
- Mood swings
- Accelerated aging
All of these problems are preventable. Remember, sleep is essential to maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle.
How can you fix your quality of sleep tonight?
Sleep issues frequently stem from a busy day. We need those extra hours to finish work, do things around the house, or have family obligations. But for some, sleep is elusive due to a physical ailment. Chiropractors though not sleep experts, can often correct misalignments in the neck, spine, shoulder, or hips that cause pain or discomfort.
Here are some suggestions to help you get a better night’s rest tonight:
Sleep Position
Many people do not realize that their sleep position is the root of their sleep issues. Laying in uncomfortable positions puts stress on your hips or spine, making sleep difficult. If you are restless or find yourself waking up stiff in the morning, you may want to reevaluate your normal sleep position. Keeping your back and spine aligned with pillows is key to proper positioning. Adding a pillow between your knees can also help relieve pressure on your spine and hips.
Check Your Mattress
Another common factor for poor sleep is the mattress. If your mattress is too firm or too soft, it will cause issues with the alignment in your back. Sleepless nights will continue to be an issue if the mattress is the problem. Research mattresses and pillows to find the right combination of firm and soft. Making sure that your mattress is not only comfortable but helps you sleep better is essential.
Relax Before Bed
We are on our phones, computers, or watching TV more now than ever. The digital age is great for getting things delivered almost instantly, but it has created a monster in finding peace. Falling asleep will take longer if you cannot fully relax before bed.
Many people get frustrated and get back up, and thus the vicious cycle of lack of sleep continues. Relaxing before bed helps the brain wind down and prepares your body for the rest it needs. Read a book, have a glass of wine, or chat with your spouse; any of these will help calm your body and mind and set you up for a great night’s sleep.
Create a restful environment
Finding the right mattress and ensuring the notifications are silenced is a part of creating a restful environment. Your bedroom or place you sleep most often needs to be relaxing and calming. Make sure you have the shades drawn closed; if noise from the outside is a problem, white noise machines or apps are great ways to drown out that noise. If a room is too hot, falling asleep will be difficult. You need to create the right environment for your body to rest fully.
Make a schedule
Doctors and researchers have said that adults need seven to eight hours of sleep. If you find it problematic to get that, start by getting five to six hours and slowly adjust your schedule to go to bed earlier. Those hours give your body the time it needs to rest and heal. Setting and keeping a sleep schedule of the same bedtime and wake time will create a routine that will help your body work to its highest capacity.
Ready to Make a Change?
Regular chiropractic care can resolve several problems that may prevent you from getting the sleep you need. For more information on how chiropractic care can improve your quality of sleep, contact Hunt Spinal Care today.
