We’re all told that we should get at least 8 hours of sleep every night, but how many of us actually do that? Between work and home life, raising kids, building businesses, spending time with loved ones, etc. it can be hard to find enough hours in a day to accomplish all of our goals, much less setting aside 8 hours for rest.
But (even though I don’t always get 8 hours of sleep every night), I can attest to the health benefits of doing so. As a professional chiropractor in Charlotte NC, I’ve seen countless patients suffering from immune disorders and conditions that could benefit greatly from simply taking more time to rest and sleep. Maybe you don’t get much sleep because you have a busy lifestyle. Or maybe you suffer from insomnia and can’t sleep well no matter how hard you try. In either case, here are some proven ways to help you get more shuteye and keep your body functioning at max capacity throughout each day.
Tip #1: Stop wasting time. It may sound simple, and that’s because it is! However, as a Charlotte chiropractor, I know that a lot of people find this hard. “There just aren’t enough hours in a day…” you say. Well if you break down 24 hours and really get honest with yourself about how you spend your time, I think you’ll find that the opposite is true. If you spend 8 hours sleeping, that leaves 16 more to accomplish everything you want to accomplish. Let’s say you spend 10 hours at work. That still leaves 6 hours. The average meal takes about an hour to prepare and eat, so that leaves 3 hours. You can easily spend that time with your family and loved ones and feel good about your day. The problem is that many of us spend hours doing things that are, quite frankly, a waste of our valuable time—such as: scrolling through Facebook, watching television, or spending an extra 20 minutes in the shower because the hot water feels too good!
Tip #2: Go to bed earlier. Again, simple in theory, but seemingly difficult to implement. You may be wondering, “what difference does it make if I go to bed early or late, as long as I’m getting 8 hours of sleep.” It actually makes a huge difference. The most successful people in the world go to bed before 10 p.m. and wake up before 6 a.m., and for good reason. You’ll be surprised how much you will accomplish in the wee hours of the morning if you try this out for one week and then make it a continuous habit.
Tip #3: Turn off electronics at least 2 hours before bedtime. The blue light emitted from our phones and TV screens actually suppresses the production of melatonin—your body’s sleep-inducing hormone. If you want to fall asleep quickly and get a good night’s rest, avoid blue light from LED screens for at least a couple of hours before you lay down. One you lay down, use the best gravity blanket to get comfortable.
Tip #4: Get regular chiropractic adjustments. You won’t believe how many patients report better sleep after they start receiving care at our office from a Charlotte chiropractor. Regular adjustments ensure your spine is properly aligned, relieving pressure on the nerves that send signals to the organs in your body responsible for hormone production, which regulates sleep and can even recommend you sleep apnea treatment depending on the reason you went in the first place.
Tip #5: Spend more time outdoors. Have you ever passed out after spending a day in the sun? There’s a reason why! The sun is our natural source of Vitamin D3, which is instrumental in boosting your immune system and aiding sleep. As a matter of fact, the majority of sleep disorders are a result of Vitamin D deficiency. You can also order a Vitamin D supplement online or buy one from our Charlotte chiropractic office.
Are you “sleepless in Charlotte NC?” Call our office at (980) 422-2000 or fill out the form on this page to request a FREE 15-minute phone consultation with Charlotte chiropractor, Dr. Holly and learn how your sleep can improve with a holistic chiropractic treatment plan!