Sound sleep is the foundation of robust health and vitality. Attainig 7-9 hours of undisturbed sleep every night to recharge is ideal.
Environment
Make your bedroom a sanctuary. Keep it dark, cool, and quiet. Angle the clock face away from the bed. If you get up to use the bathroom during the night, don't turn on the light; use a nightlight to safely guide you. The optimal temperature for sleep is 16 to 20 degrees Celsius.
When Hungry
Avoid heavy meals and sugary or high grain snacks before bed. They will raise your blood sugar and make it difficult to fall asleep. Reduce/ eliminate nicotine, caffeine and alcohol use.
Reduce Late Night Activity
Stop working at least an hour before you plan to go to bed. Let your mind relax. Limit television, phone and computer use in the evening.
If you read in bed, avoid backlit devices as the light stimulates the brain. Read a book or use a device that requires you to use a separate, soft light source.
Bedtime Routine
Establish a relaxing consistent routine as you prepare for bed. Aim to go to bed and get up at the same time everyday, and on weekends.
Relax by taking a hot shower or a hot foot bath for at least 20 minutes. Practice mediation, or progressive muscle relaxation, starting at your toes and working up to the top of the head.
Acupuncture Support/ Care
Discuss your sleep quality and quantity with Thomas to identify the underlying root cause of insomnia, including stress, anxiety, dream disturbed sleep, pain, twitching legs, cramps, muscle spasms, difficulty breathing among common causes of sleeplessness.
Acupuncture can help quiet the mind, increase relaxation and decrease stress to promote sleep. Treatments can also help increase the release of natural melatonin in the body to help improve sleep.
Pain can prevent comfortable sleep, resolving or lessening the pain with acupuncture can help support a good night's rest.
Acupuncture can also be effective for those with sleep apnea. Restoring lung function, restoring lung capacity, stimulating metabolism helps a person lose weight, even by as little as 10%, sleep apnea may be reduced. Acupuncture has been shown to help with weight loss and improving balanced energy.
If you or someone you know suffers from poor sleep, super fantastic acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine awaits!
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