Keep Sleep on Your To-Do List

By Donna Kostiew

After two weeks of vacation, my daughter’s fall break is just about to end. The second quarter of school will start, and in a flash of the eye, the end of the year will be here. This time of year could arguably be the busiest time on most people’s calendar. School deadlines, festivals, holidays and celebrations seem to consume every spare minute of our days … we are simply busy. And with a lengthy to-do list on top of it all, something usually ends up being shortchanged, and that something is often our sleep.

Maintaining a busy lifestyle can be detrimental to our health and oftentimes, we don’t even realize how much we are running ourselves ragged … that is, until we crash and burn (and for whatever reason, it usually happens in front of our out-of-town guests). Don’t embarrass yourself like that. Here are a few suggestions that will help ensure you get the sleep you need in order to look like you really do have everything under control.

Watch What You Eat/Drink

Although we often feel like falling into a sleep coma after eating a big meal, that can actually be a little misleading. Eat lightly, if at all, before bed for better sleep and avoid foods that might cause your stomach to be upset. Limit your alcohol and caffeine intake as well. If sleep is still elusive, there are certain foods you can add to your diet that encourage restful nights, such as chamomile tea, bananas, salmon, tart cherry juice, dairy products, kale, and nuts.

Take a Natural Approach

There are plenty of medications that induce sleep, but if you don’t like the unwanted side effects that typically come with them, then taking the natural approach with supplements may be your answer. Magnesium and melatonin are two of the most common and popular supplements taken to aid sleep.

Add Exercise

Adding some form of daily exercise benefits us in so many ways … we already know that. But what many people don’t know is that exercise strengthens circadian rhythms which help to stimulate longer periods of deep sleep.

Seek Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care can improve your sleep by reducing any nerve interference that may be causing you disruptions during the night. Your body will also function better, which will leave you feeling healthier and more energized during this busy time of the year.

I’m busy, just like most everyone else, and sometimes I actually like it when my family goes to sleep before I do. It’s usually during this time that I can get more things accomplished, but perhaps I need to take my own advice as well and join my family in getting some shut-eye. After all, my to-do list is growing day by day and I am going to need the energy to tackle it.

To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Cumming, Ga.