Do you have trouble sleeping? Do you often feel exhausted during the day? Losing sleep can often be the sign of a disorder, such as obstructive sleep apnea. While serious cases of OSA do require your dentist’s attention, you can often ease symptoms by making adjustments to your sleeping habits. What can you do to enjoy better, deeper rest?
5 Tips for Better Rest
- Sleep on your side: Change your sleep positon! Being on your back can often increase the chances of soft tissue in the throat and mouth collapsing, blocking airflow and leading to snoring and sleep apnea episodes. Instead, try resting on your side.
- Maintain a sleep schedule: You can also help train your body to rest better. We recommend maintaining a regular sleep schedule. This means going to bed and waking up at the same times every day, even on weekends and during holidays. Remember, improved sleep often means an improved quality of life.
- Avoid alcohol or caffeine before bed: Alcohol may make you feel initially sleepy, but can cause you to wake up later. In addition, consuming caffeine before bed can make falling asleep difficult.
- Keep your bedroom free of distraction: Your bedroom should be the perfect environment for rest. You should keep the room dark and cool. You should also remove screens, such as TVs and computers, as these can lead to difficulty falling asleep.
- Lose weight: Obesity has been linked to both chronic snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, as well as heart disease and other health issues. By losing weight with diet and exercise, you can often rest better.
If you have any questions about better sleeping habits, then contact our office today. We can help you create a personalized plan for resting better. We also offer a sleep assessment on our website to see if you may benefit from treatment for sleep apnea.
