Falling Asleep
Few things influence well-being with quite the same intensity as sleep. But with the constant buzz of technology pulsating at our fingertips, caffeine surging through our bloodstream, various levels of stress palpitating and not enough exercise or proper nutrition to account for it all, it is becoming harder for our society to fall and stay asleep on a regular basis. At Family Chiropractic & Natural Healing Center, we believe that by taking a step back and reassessing habits that may be holding you back, treating your body with the chiropractic care it needs, and paying close attention to environmental stimuli and creating a conducive sleep environment, we can help you get to sleep and stay asleep. Here are some ways to effectively “shut off your brain,” in the lead up to sleep:
- Establish a regular sleep schedule (i.e. aim for a consistent bed time) and establish a pre-sleep routine that involves stretching and maybe even meditation, but certainly a hot cup of soothing sleepy-time tea, or its equivalent in your life.
- Establish the bedroom as a sleep and intimacy chamber and nothing more: keep the television in the living room and food in the kitchen.
- Try relaxing mental exercises and deep breathing: counting sheep is not as silly as it sounds, but try something more complex like mental associations within a single category that keep your mind from stewing over stress.
- Physical activity and other things that release endorphins are great for promoting relaxation and getting your body in a receptive state for sleep.
If you are suffering from pain that is stopping you from sleeping, that is another matter entirely. If this is the case, give our office in the Bay Area a call so we can start addressing your unique pain and getting you on a road to recovery that will help you sleep better and, consequently, feel better every day.
Dr. Gregory Lind, D.C.
