
“A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for anything.”
–Irish Proverb
While we sleep, our bodies are healing, rejuvenating, and integrating everything from the day before. We understand that good quality sleep is important for mental clarity, memory retention, and healing response time, among other things. And yet, so few of us make sleep a priority.
We know that sleep deprivation has a similar effect as intoxication, especially when it comes to response time. Choosing not to sleep means choosing to be a danger behind the wheel, to be more emotionally reactive to your colleagues and family, and to be only a fraction of your best self.
Sure, sacrificing one night’s rest every now and then isn’t the end of the world; Some nights it is more important to stay up to finish that deadline, to take care of your sick child, or relive your glory days when your college friends come to visit. For some people though, it is not a conscious choice to not get the recommend 6-9 hours of sleep.
When it comes to sleeping issues, there are two main groups: You either belong to the “can’t fall asleep” category or the “can’t stay asleep” category. Or worse yet, you relate to both.
If you struggle with staying asleep, there are many factors that could be contributing to your wakefulness. Among them, I would consider checking blood sugar imbalance, adrenal fatigue, and liver/gallbladder meridian dysfunction. For a more thorough look at your specific case, try speaking to your holistic healthcare provider or contact us at Awaken Wellness.
For those of you in the “can’t fall asleep” category, chances are that you are participating in daily habits that can interfere with your body’s ability to naturally relax into sleep at the end of the day. Here is a list of some sleep disrupting habits that you may not be aware of:
· Drinking caffeine after 1PM
· Spending the majority of your day in synthetic light
· Exposure to blue light (screen time) within 2 hours of bed
· Exercising within 2-3 hours of bed
· Eating large amounts of sugar or carbohydrates in the evening
· Staying up late enough to catch your “second wind”
· Having electronics in the bedroom (TV, Radio, Clock, etc.)
· Having light in the bedroom while trying to sleep
· Allowing your pets or children to sleep in the bed with you
· Making tomorrow’s to-do list right before bed
· Bringing work into the bedroom
Are you participating in any of these bad sleep habits? If so, try eliminating them for two weeks and see how your sleep improves. For more information on healing your body the natural way, check out www.awakenwellnesstulsa.com or follow us on Facebook: @awakenwellnesstulsa

*This material is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare professional before making changes that could impact your health.
Comments