Are you having trouble sleeping? Try these methods!

Are you having trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or sleeping in general? Don’t worry, you are not alone! Millions of people worldwide suffer from some type of sleep issues.

We know the drill. It’s night time. Your bedroom is setup just the way you like it for the perfect sleep. The right temperature, you have had your water, done your nightly routine, put your phone on silence, closed the curtains…it’s time to fall asleep. At least that’s what you had hoped for.

Instead, your mind is racing. You are stressing about tomorrow’s tasks, if you said something that offended someone earlier that day, did you remember to lock the front door, oh no what if you didn’t lock the front door…the mind can be a wonderful but cruel thing.

The tough part about not getting enough sleep is that it can contribute to a variety of chronic diseases such as: productivity, reduced quality of life, depression, weight issues (sometimes even obesity), diabetes, hypertension and even cancer.

So what should I do now? Here are some helpful hints:

1. Start by counting each breath you take. Be aware of your inhaling and exhaling and make note of the small changes you experience as your lungs expand and contract.
2. Starting with your toes and then working your way towards your head, put your focus on flexing and relaxing your muscles. Repeat this as many times as needed to put your body into that sleep like trance.
3. I am sure you know the old trick “counting sheep” to help fall asleep right? Similarly to this activity, visualize some type of repetitive activity. Of course it doesn’t have to be counting sheep. Pick something that you have an interest in. For example if you are a golfer, visualize yourself playing your favourite course. If you are a musician, visualize yourself playing the same song over and over.

Naturally, the more you think about how many hours you have left before you have to wake up, or stressing about sleeping is what will keep you awake. Sometimes you just need a reset, read, get a glass of water, have a tea (decaffeinated of course) or even put on some light music or soothing sounds. Just remember, you are not the only one suffering from this issue, it is natural!

If the issue persists, you may want to consider Chiropractic Care to help with your sleeping issues. If you would like to book an appointment with Dr. Huggins to talk about the reasons you may be experiencing troubles sleeping and how Chiropractic treatments may help, call us at 905-845-2291.