| sleep
An old Chinese proverb states, "Only when one cannot sleep
does one know how long the night is." Anyone who's ever experienced
an occasional bout with insomnia—and that's most of us—can
relate to this all too well.
In fact, surveys have shown that between 40 and 60 percent of the
general population has trouble sleeping. Daily stress and worries,
pressures from job and family, body aches and pains caused by uncomfortable
beds or pillows, and a host of other issues can keep a person from
getting enough quality sleep.
As wellness experts, doctors of chiropractic can provide patients
with a different approach to their sleeping problems-without the
use of sleeping pills, which leave many people in a mental haze
the next morning. To start, here are a few helpful tips they would
recommend for the sleepless in Seattle (or any city, for that matter):
- Exercise regularly. Exercising in the morning is best, but
if you must exercise in the evening, do so at least two or three
hours before bedtime. Any later, and your increased heart rate
can interfere with your sleep.
- Limit your intake of caffeinated beverages such as coffee, colas
and tea-try to avoid them altogether late in the day and near
bedtime. In addition, for each cup of caffeinated beverages you
drink each day, drink an equal amount of water.
- If you have trouble sleeping and then get thirsty, drink tap
water at room temperature (cold water may disturb the digestive
system).
- Eat an early dinner. Eating after 6 p.m. may interfere with
sleep as your body works to digest the food you've eaten.
- Go to bed at the same time each night and get up at the same
time each morning. The routine will help your body know when it
is time to rest.
- Keep your bedroom at a cool, comfortable temperature and try
to make it as dark as possible when you're ready for bed.
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