Can Poor Sleep cause Chronic Health Problems?
Your long term health and wellness could be the contribution of the quality of sleep you get each night. Maladies range from poor circulation, insomnia, sleep apnea, breathing problems, snoring, fibromyalgia, leg cramps, asthma, restless leg syndrome, acid reflux and muscle and joint pains. Research has shown that poor sleep can even lead to heart disease and migraine headaches.
- Nearly 60% adults report having sleep problems
- Only 37% get recommended 7-8 hours per night
- About half the sleep problems are STRESS related
- Americans filled 60 million prescriptions for sleeping pills last year
The master controller of your body is your brain (@100 billion cells) that regulates the 30 trillion cells that tells your body to secrete pain killers, endorphins, growth hormones, melatonin and millions of other regulating chemical reactions that keep your immune system functioning at its best. This is why my patients tell me that their best sleep is the night after getting their spine and nervous system adjusted allowing the brain to relax and perform its duties!
Tips to Promote Healthy Sleep
- Do not drink caffeine after 3 pm
- Keep alcohol consumption to 1-2 drinks with dinner
- Turn-off TVs, computers and cell phones to allow your brain to unwind from the screen stimulus
- Darken your room from all types of light even LEDs from phones and clocks
- Perform a calming activity such as reading, meditating, prayer, stretching, hot bath and breathing exercises help relax your sympathetic nerves
- Go to sleep and wake up at the same time even on weekends... your brain likes consistency
- Get early morning daylight/sunlight... this stops the release of melatonin that keeps you sleepy
- Make sure you have a properly fitted pillow and as firm and supported mattress as possible
- Make sure you get you spine and nervous system checked and adjusted regularly so that your brain and body functions at its optimal!