Do you struggle to get enough sleep? We often underestimate the importance of sleep for our health. But sleep deprivation’s impact on your health is one of the reasons why quality sleep is a part of the protocols our FDNThrive coaches create. You simply will not be able to restore optimal wellness if you aren’t getting enough sleep! There are many people that struggle with getting good, quality sleep every night. Some struggle with being able to get to sleep, while others have a difficult time staying asleep. Some people are sleeping less than they should in order to try and get more done in their day. All of this leads to sleep deprivation which is big source of stress on the body. As the body faces stress, it activates the glands of the HPA axis, which begin releasing hormones such as cortisol. As sleep deprivation becomes chronic, so does the stress faced by the body. This can ultimately lead to HPA axis dysfunction, as well as a long list of chronic health symptoms for those who are suffering.
Here are some tips to help you improve your sleep!
Limit caffeine consumption
It is okay to have a cup of coffee or two in the morning. But caffeine is a stimulant, and therefore drinking it in the afternoon or evening can make it more difficult to fall asleep. Also, be careful of consuming chocolate at night as well. Chocolate does contain caffeine which can affect your sleep.
Put down your smart phone, tablet and laptop before bed
These devices give off blue light, which triggers the pineal gland to stop making melatonin, the hormone which helps us to sleep. If you must use these devices within several hours of going to sleep, you can minimize the effects of the blue light by wearing blue light blocking glasses, or using blue light minimizing software.
Check the temperature of your bedroom
It is far more difficult to get a good night’s sleep if your bedroom is too hot or too cold. According to the National Sleep Foundation, sleep experts agree that 65 degrees F is an ideal temperature for sleep but is important to find what works best for you.
Avoid drinking too much water before bed
The need to use the bathroom in the middle of the night often wakes people up, and many have difficulties going back to sleep once awake.
Meditate daily
Stressful events from your day can contribute to racing thoughts, which can prevent people from being able to fall asleep. Meditation is one of the best ways to reduce stress and quiet the mind. 20 minutes of meditation a day can significantly reduce stress and can also help the body begin to reduce stress hormones.
Use essential oils
Oils such as lavender, chamomile and lemon balm are known to help the body relax and can promote sleep. Simply mix a few drops in a tablespoon of a good carrier oil such as sweet almond or jojoba oil, then rub some on your chest or bottoms of your feet. You can also diffuse the oils in an essential oil diffuser in your bedroom, or even sprinkle a few drops on a tissue and place on a nightstand so that you can inhale the scent.
Avoid eating too close to bed
Eating can give you a boost of energy, and so eating close to bedtime can give you energy when you are trying to relax for sleep. It is best not to eat anything at least 2-3 hours before bed.
Make sure that your bedroom is dark enough
Light from streetlights outside of your home, or even from a digital clock can make getting to sleep more difficult. Room darkening curtains are easy to find and inexpensive. You can also opt to wear a sleep mask that can prevent light from keeping you awake.
Take herbs for sleep
There are some wonderful herbs that you can use, that can help with sleep. Skullcap, Chamomile, Lemon Balm, Catnip and Hops are all known for their relaxing properties. Any one of them can be used as a tea that you can drink a couple of hours before bed to help promote sleep.
Get plenty of regular exercise
Exercise by itself is a great stress reducer, but those who exercise regularly, also typically sleep better. Avoid exercising within 2-3 hours of bedtime, because exercise can also energize you as well and so you want to avoid it too close to bedtime!
If you have been struggling with sleep problems, your first line of defense is to work with an FDNThrive health coach. They can help you by using functional lab testing to begin looking at what areas of your body are out of balance. Once they have that information, they then work with you to create a holistic protocol that will help you bring your body back into balance. This can help to get your health back on track and get you sleeping more soundly.