Looking to Sleep Better?

Sleep deprivation is a serious problem. From feeling drowsy during the day to increased risk for depression, it can lead to a multitude of issues.

While we’ve all heard of drinking a warm glass of milk or counting sheep to help relax, many of us still can’t get enough rest. Before you turn to an over-the-counter sleep aid, or something even stronger, consider getting to the root cause of your sleep problems – only then will you be able to truly treat the problem.

Here are three surprising things that could be causing your nighttime wakefulness:

Environmental

There are many external factors – such as what we eat and drink, the medications we take, and the environment we’re in – that can influence the quality of our sleep. And when it comes to the bedroom, light, noise, and temperature all play a big role in how rested we do (or don’t) feel in the morning.

Too much light at night can alter our internal clocks, making restful sleep difficult to achieve. Many experts recommend limiting technology (including television and cell phone usage) during the hour or so before bed, as well as removing any electronics from the bedroom completely.

In addition, background noise should be kept low, and the room should be kept at a comfortable temperature. Although the “right” temperature varies from person to person, most agree that somewhere between 60 and 67 degrees is ideal.

Hormonal

You may have heard that menopause can disrupt natural sleep patterns, but there are dozens of other hormonal issues that could also be to blame. From malfunctioning adrenal glands to a leaky gut, there are lots of ways your body can send your hormones out of whack. Here are just a few of the most common culprits:

• Low progesterone: Progesterone calms the brain and decreases anxiety, but greatly decreases once a woman enters perimenopause.
• Low melatonin: Melatonin is often called the “sleep hormone” and without it, you’ll have a tough time getting a good night’s rest. There are several issues that can cause your levels to drop, from lack of natural light during the day, to nutritional deficiencies.
• Low testosterone: Low testosterone is known to cause lower energy levels, so it is a bit surprising then that it can also lead to poorer quality sleep. Unfortunately, testosterone replacement therapy can also lead to sleep apnea.

Emotional

Sleep and mood are closely connected, and when either one is bad it can start a vicious cycle: Bad mood can lead to poor sleep, which leads to being fatigued, which leads to more bad mood, and it just keeps repeating.

In order to break the cycle, take a look at your sleep habits and see if there is anything else you can change. For example, try avoiding alcohol and caffeine in the evening hours or establishing a calming bedtime ritual. If you find that nothing helps, it may be time to speak with a professional.

Final Thoughts

Quality sleep is a game-changer: a good night’s rest makes everything that happens during the day seem so much more manageable. Finding that balance is within your reach, often with just a few small changes to your normal routine.

If you’re not sure where to begin, but you know you want to make a change, schedule your free consultation today and take that first step toward living well and reaching your healing potential.