SLEEP MORE
We often undervalue the importance of a good night’s sleep. Quality sleep impacts both healing the body and disease prevention. Most adults need 7 to 8 hours per night, but this number can increase for anyone with a chronic condition.
Questions you might want to consider:
Do I get enough outdoor sunlight each day?
How much am I exposed to artificial light?
Do I avoid electronics/screens before bedtime?
How dark is my bedroom?
What is my pre-bedtime nutrition habit?
How much caffeine do I consume daily?
How much alcohol do I consume?
What’s my daily stress level like?
Is my bedroom temperature conducive to good sleep?
Do I have a bedtime routine?
These are all elements that can affect your sleep hygiene. We will go in to each of these with greater detail. I will also provide you with some tips and bedtime routines and stretches that are effective in getting the sleep you need!
TRUTH: I still wake up every damn night to pee. I used to have trouble falling asleep and even more trouble falling back asleep. Just thinking about losing sleep made me lose sleep! I’m here to walk you through some tips to ensure you get back to sleeping like a full grown adult that sleeps really well. Because not all babies sleep that well, ya know?!
Eat Better, Sleep Better
Dr. Michael Breus, “The Sleep Doctor” does an excellent job describing which vitamins are most helpful for sleep, where to get these vitamins from natural food sources, and even shares a tip on getting MORE magnesium from a banana to ensure an excellent night’s sleep!
The Importance of Sleep, Rest and Less Stress
We are innately born with positive traits such as our outlook, optimism, drive and ability to cope. But our positive traits can be dulled when we are in a period of sleeplessness.
Does Sleep Affect Weight Loss?
We are finding more connections between sleep, nutrition, stress, and immune function. But how about weight gain? And weight loss? Is there a connection? Most research is pointing to yes.
Bedtime Rituals
Sleep is incredibly important to our immune system and staying well over these winter months. When your body doesn’t get the rest it needs to fully recover from the day’s activities, your immune system can be compromised and more susceptible to illnesses. Here are some bedtime rituals that I love to prepare me for a restful night’s sleep.
Prep for Bed with a Foam Roller
Foam rolling is used by athletes, exercise professionals, and Joe Q. Public to release trigger points. This reduction of stress and tension on the body naturally promotes restful sleep. Some of the areas of the body where people store the most stress include: quads, glutes, hips, and upper back/shoulders. These areas are a great place to start with foam rolling to release and relax those muscles, especially before bed.
What’s the Hype Around Weighted Blankets?
There is a range of benefits to users of weighted blankets. Some evidence reports that weighted blankets help with sleeplessness and insomnia. People are reporting they sleep longer and shift their bodyweight around less when under the heavy blanket. Let’s talk about the benefits…
Eat to Improve Sleep
I read recently that “Sleep is the new kale.” Between sleep and diet, these two factors say a lot about your health. Did you know each meal you eat can impact your sleep quality? Find out how you can adjust your diet to improve your sleep.
How to get away from your screen
There is overwhelming evidence that lack of sleep contributes to chronic stress, chronic disease, memory loss, decreased cognitive function, and even weight gain. Find out how to improve your sleep now.
Exercise, SLEEP, Repeat
As a physical therapist, Derek Tuohy gets to see a variety of injuries and health related issues, both chronic and acute. Often his conversations with patients address the 4 pillars of health; sleep, exercise, nutrition and stress control. Find out how all of these pillars interact and how you can optimize your health in controlling one in particular: sleep.
Sleep When You’re ALIVE
Sleep is important for both healing your body and disease prevention. So much good happens inside your body when you give it the rest it needs.