Insomnia (Helping You Get to Sleep)

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that can strike at any time and make it difficult for you to get a full night’s rest.  The reasons for insomnia vary; however, if you suffer from insomnia you may be susceptible to serious health issues that can occur from a lack of sleep.  Depression, anxiety, and memory problems are just a few of the possible long term effects of insomnia.  Fortunately, insomnia can be treated by making a few of the following simple changes in your lifestyle.

Create a Sleep Schedule
In today’s fast-paced world with so much to do, you may wake up earlier and stay up later. Your schedule may also vary from one day to the next.  Unfortunately, this can make it hard for your body to know when to fall asleep.  By creating a schedule that includes a consistent bedtime and time to wake up, you will send a signal to your body that it’s time to rest.

Avoid Stimulants
To get through the day, many people rely on stimulants such as alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine.  While this may help you get your work done, it can wreak havoc on your body’s natural processes.  It is best to avoid stimulants altogether; however, if you must have caffeine, stick to enjoying it before lunch.  And alcohol may make you sleepy initially; its stimulating effects may cause you to have disrupted sleep.

Get Some Exercise
For the best health benefits, everyone can benefit from exercise for at least 20 to 30 minutes a day. This enables your body to expend its energy while also providing you with mind-boosting benefits that promote relaxation.  While exercise will help you to get to sleep, it’s helpful to avoid exercising for at least three hours before bedtime so that your body has time to cool down.

Learn to Relax
During stressful periods in your life, it may be challenging to relax at the end of the day. Therefore, you may need to find a method for relaxing that works for you.  Try a hot bath at the end of the day or spend a few minutes working on a favorite hobby. A cup of Relax or Calm tea after dinner can also be beneficial. By helping yourself learn to relax, you will begin to find it easier to fall and stay asleep.

For tougher cases of insomnia many people are turning to alternative, therapeutic treatments such as massage or acupuncture.

Here’s to a good night’s sleep! Sweet dreams!

Amy Oros, Acupuncture Physician

About Amy Oros, Acupuncture Physician

Amy Oros is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine practicing Acupuncture and Neural Therapy. This combination of the two modalities provide natural, non-drug solutions to patients seeking highly effective, low-risk treatments.
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