Sleep disorders affect millions of people of all ages, and millions more have trouble sleeping for a wide variety of other reasons. To try and improve the quality of their sleep, many people turn to medicinal sleep aids, which may help in some cases, but in others, can have a number of different side effects. Often, the side effects occur without actually helping you sleep better. Instead, we offer a few tips that may help you sleep better without medication. If they don’t work, then you may want to schedule a visit to find out if you’re suffering from a sleep disorder and require a custom-designed sleep appliance.
Get the Rest You Deserve
For many people, trouble with sleep can simply be a matter of routine, or it can be caused by outside influences like loud noises or excessive light. Others may need to alter their routines to actually allow their bodies to wind down and rest. For most people with minor sleep issues, these tips can help address those issues for better rest:
- Develop a consistent routine to train your body when to go to sleep. Our bodies work on rhythms, and sticking to a routine helps regulate those rhythms so that your body can operate properly, including resting. Wake up and go to sleep at the same time every day, and soon, your body will come to expect when to fall asleep.
- Create a bedroom that actually promotes better rest by removing the TV, turning off all lights, and putting dark, heavy drapes over the windows. Even the smallest amount of ambient light can make it harder for you to fall asleep, or to stay asleep long enough to achieve R.E.M.
- If you don’t already, then develop and stick to a regular exercise routine. Something as simple as walking a couple of miles every day will help your body regulate hormones better and burn off excess energy so you can fall asleep and stay asleep better each night.
Find Out if You Can Use Sleep Apnea Treatment
If you’re having trouble sleeping, then you may be able to rest better with these few tips (or with sleep apnea treatment) instead of resorting to sleep aids. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling James Stewart, DDS in Livonia, MI today at (734) 425-4400.
