4 Solid Ways to Improve Your Sleep
By Genevieve Cunningham
It's probably not much of a stretch to say that almost everyone needs a bit more sleep. Whether you need a higher quantity of sleep or simply better quality, you probably wouldn't turn down more rest. Sleep is critically important for good health and wellness. Unfortunately, we often don't treat it this way. We treat it as a secondary thought instead of a crucial necessity. If you're ready to turn that thought process around and get more sleep, take a look at these tips for getting a little more shut-eye every single night.
Adjust Your Pillow
We often get a pillow, and then we keep it for years. While this is not the worst thing in the world, a misshapen or unsupportive pillow can really harm your sleep. It can make you uncomfortable, and cause you to have a crick in the neck and discomfort into the upper back. All of these work together to make sleep more painful and less restful. If you suspect that this is a problem in your life, simply get a new pillow. Check out your local department store, do a search online, or talk to a local chiropractor about getting the best pillow to support your body.
Turn Off the TV
Ever since the invention of television, people have been using it more often. At one time it was only used after dinner. Over time, we started using it during the day and then in the morning and then all day long. In today's world, we fall asleep to the television and let it play through the night. While this may be a habit that's hard to break, it can really help your sleep if you turn it off. Even if you don't notice, the noise and light from the TV can cause you to come in and out of deep sleep before you're ready. Start turning it off before you go to sleep, and you'll probably notice that your quality of sleep improves as you get used to the silence and darkness.
Darken Your Room
Your body really wants to sleep in the dark. While it can definitely sleep when it's light out, your body's natural rhythm prefers darkness at night. If you want better sleep, give your body what it needs. Turn off the light, the television, and any electronic devices. It can take some getting used to to sleep in darkness, but once you get used to this habit, most people won't go back.
Make Your Space Comfortable
Good sleep happens when your body is the most comfortable. If you're tossing and turning all night, it could be because your sleeping space is just not comfortable enough for your body to relax. Is your mattress comfortable? Is your pillow supportive? Is it too hot or too cold? All of these small details make a big impact on your sleep. If you're trying to improve your sleep every day, make some adjustments to your sleeping space to ensure that you finally get the rest that you need.
Sleep is definitely in an important part of good health. A lack of sleep can wreak havoc on your body and mind. And good sleep can make you feel better than ever. Use these tips to get a little more rest and to keep yourself as healthy as possible. With some minor adjustments, you may find that your health and happiness improve as quickly as your sleep.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Aiken, S.C.