Five Ways to Alleviate Insomnia
Insomnia is a phenomenon almost everybody experiences at some
point in their life. And most of us don’t know how or why it happens.
Insomnia is defined as difficulty falling asleep, despite being tired.
Combatting insomnia may be easier than you think. Here are five simple ways to
fall asleep faster and stay asleep all night.
1. Turn off
your phone
In today’s society, we are almost surgically attached to our
phones, iPads, laptops, etc. And while the devices keep us informed and
connected, they are also harm us when it comes to our sleep. Smartphones
and other gadgets emit blue wavelengths. These wavelengths suppress the
production of melatonin in our bodies. Melatonin is a natural hormone that
makes you feel sleepy. Also, the light given off by your devices can actually
stimulate the mind, thus causing poor sleep. So as hard as it may be, buy a
regular alarm clock and turn off the phone.
2. Keep a
sleep schedule
Sleep is just as important to proper health as eating healthy-wholesome
foods. In other words, make sleep a priority. You don’t have to give up dinner
with friends or that periodic concert, but staying out late every single night
will eventually take its toll. Make a sleep schedule and do your best to stick to
it. Lack of sleep has been proven to increase blood pressure, depression,
weight gain and stress. Why do this to yourself when you don’t have to? Once
you set your sleep schedule, your body will react favorably.
3.
Meditation
How many of us groan when we hear the word “meditation”?
Meditation really isn’t difficult but people constantly tell themselves it
can’t be done because they can’t shut off their minds. But what most people
don’t realize is the goal of meditation is not turning off your mind or your
thoughts. Meditation helps you cope better while telling your sympathetic
nervous system to relax. When the thoughts come in, you should acknowledge them
but do not dwell on them. That’s what meditation helps you do. And there are
many different types of meditation. For beginners, guided meditation tends to
work best because you are listening to somebody guide you through the journey.
Why not give it a try?
4.
Bedtime Yoga
Yoga is an ancient Indian practice that combines physical
exercise, mental clarity and spiritual beliefs all rolled into one discipline.
Bedtime yoga poses are very low-key and quite simple. Utilizing yoga just
before going to bed can signal to your brain that slumber time is approaching.
Poses such as forward bends, happy baby pose, cross-legged bends and corpse
pose all have been shown to help the body prepare for restful sleep. Also for
those who are a little more skilled, inversion poses like shoulder stands can
help alleviate stress and calm the mind.
5.
Acupuncture
Really? Getting poked with needles will help me sleep better? The
simple answer is YES! Acupuncture works with your own body to help bring
it back into balance. If you have stress, you have an imbalance.
Acupuncture needles are strategically placed on points that will calm the
mind, balance hormones and settle the nervous system. Most people will notice
some change after just one treatment, but to get the full effect and truly
eliminate insomnia, you should commit to several treatments. And always seek
out a properly trained and fully licensed acupuncturist to get the best
results.
There are many other ways to fight insomnia too, but these are
some of the best. Give these five methods a try and then focus on the ones that
resonate with you. Over time, your body and mind will thank you and there won’t
be any harsh side effects…just good sound sleep. Sweet dreams!
Bishara Wilson
New York Sports Acupuncture
888.375.5444
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