As the days start to shorten, the weather begins to turn, and school gets back into full swing, your life may have become a little more hectic. And all that activity could be starting to affect your sleep. If you find yourself struggling to get the rest you need, we’ve got you covered.
You Might Not Need a Specialist Just Yet
While Hancock Health does have a specialized sleep center devoted to helping you snooze better, there are plenty of natural remedies to try if you’re struggling to get back to dreamland. So before you reach for the phone to schedule an appointment, give these tips a try:
- Boost your activity. Sometimes wearing yourself out before you climb into bed is all you need for a good night’s sleep.
- Cut the caffeine. Soda, coffee, and other caffeinated products right before bed are definitely a no-go.
- Blow off the blue light. Putting your phone down a little early before you hop to bed can help relax your brain and settle you down before you rest.
That Didn’t Work. What Now?
If you’ve tried a few home solutions and you’re still struggling to get the sleep you need, it might be time for some intervention. Dr. James Zhang is the medical director of the Hancock Sleep Center, and he suggests a sleep specialist for getting your sleep back on track.
“A sleep specialist can interpret different sleep studies such as polysomnography, the multiple sleep latency test (MSLT), or CPAP/BiPAP titration studies,” said Dr. Zhang. “Many sleep disorders can either give you insufficient sleep time or too much sleep time, with poor quality of sleep. A sleep specialist can take your history, do a physical examination, and formulate a treatment plan to help you.”
There are a variety of reasons why you might be struggling to fall asleep. Whether you’re anxious about obligations you have during the day or are struggling with insomnia, Dr. Zhang says the sleep specialists at Hancock Health will tailor their treatment plans to your individual needs.
“You should, in general, have a fixed bedtime and wake time; do exercise and physical activity during the day but avoid strenuous exercise within two hours of your bedtime; keep your room dark, cool, and quiet during sleep, and limit daytime naps,” said Dr. Zhang.
If you’re concerned about your sleep, contact the Hancock Sleep Center today at 317-468-4610.
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