So Long to Sleepless Nights

Your body can live longer without food than it can without sleep. Though vital to the health of your body, sleep can be terribly elusive. Getting enough sleep is vital to achieving your goals but it needs to happen when you need it to happen. On demand, so to speak.

While there might not be much you can do to prevent the occasional sleepless night, a good mattress and pillow, as well as a few simple lifestyle and nutritional changes, can work wonders when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep.

Key to handling the inability to sleep is to get your nutrition checked so your supplements are exactly right for you, because you are an individual. What might make one person fall asleep may wake you up.

If you experience pain and discomfort at night or have difficulty falling asleep, come in for a spinal adjustment. Chiropractors can treat the aches and pains that can interfere with a restful night’s sleep. We can also offer specific advice that will help you get a good night’s sleep.

When choosing a mattress, look for one that is comfortably supportive. Although the very firm mattress used to be in fashion, the new industry trend is toward “selective support” that allows you to press down one area of a mattress, leaving other areas unaffected.

Be selective when choosing a pillow. When lying on your side, your head and neck should remain level with your mid and lower spine. When lying on your back, your head and neck should remain level with your upper back and spine.

Try to limit your intake of caffeinated beverages such as coffee, colas and tea. If you do drink caffeinated beverages, try not to drink them late in the day or close to bedtime.

A regular exercise program can help you sleep more soundly at night. Exercising in the mornings is best, but if you must exercise in the evenings, do so at least two hours before bedtime. Otherwise your increased heart rate can interfere with your sleep.

Try to eat an early dinner. Eating after 6 p.m. may interfere with sleep as your body works to digest the food you’ve eaten.

Always drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day. If you have trouble sleeping, drink tap water at room temperature.

In addition, for each cup of caffeinated beverages you drink each day, drink an equal amount of water - above and beyond the eight 8-ounce glasses of water you should drink each day anyway.

An imbalance in the nervous system is often the cause of poor or interrupted sleep. If your body is not able to “wind down” after a busy day, it is likely you are not getting the restorative sleep your body needs to repair your cells and rejuvenate for the following day. We can check to see if some nervous system support in the form of minerals (Min Chex) or omega 3 fatty acids (Tuna Oil) can help you get into a more restful state of sleep without feeling drowsy the next day!

And most importantly, don’t forget to come in for regular adjustments!