Catch Some ZZZs, Naturally

There’s nothing better than a good snooze. Not only do you get a break from all those stresses that come with being awake, but you get to recharge. Your nervous system relaxes. Your pituitary gland releases hormones that help your body repair itself. For these and a lot of other reasons, it’s great to sleep. 

Unless, of course, you don’t.

Disorders such as  insomnia, sleep apnea, and others can cheat your body of the rest it needs, leading to a host of problems that can include aggravated anxiety, depression, and stroke. Finding a solution can be—ironically—tiresome. Fortunately, we have a few medication-free remedies to suggest.

Stay off your electronics. That blue light from your phone is a major hindrance to your sleep. While it can be nice to wind down at the end of the day with a bit of TV before bed, it can keep your brain awake and prevent you from falling asleep. 

Stay active. Exercising during the day—and even just expending energy in general—will help you fall asleep—and stay asleep.  

Keep it cool. Cooler temperatures at night help you sleep easier. Turn that thermostat down a tad when heading to bed, and wear loose clothing and maybe forego those heavy blankets. 

Shelve the soda. If you find yourself reaching for a soda or another caffeinated beverage right before bed, think again. The caffeine will keep you up at night, but a regular cup of coffee in the morning can help establish a good circadian rhythm to help you sleep even better. 

Soothe yourself to sleep with a soundscape. A white noise machine can help calm your nerves by evening out the sounds of your environment as you sleep. Even a fan will do the trick (while keeping you cool, too).

We hope our suggestions work for you, but if you have disorders that can’t be fixed through natural remedies, it may be time to consult the experts at our Hancock Health Sleep Disorder Center.

Equipped with sleep suites and assessment tools that can be used in the comfort of your own home, our facility can diagnose your disorder quickly and can help you find relief before it causes serious consequences. Call 317-468-4610 to learn more.