How to sleep your way to better health

Did you know that sleep can lessen pain in your body?

In fact, one of the most important predictors for pain intensity is the number of hours slept the night before. Your brain needs a “time-out” so if you sleep poorly, your pain will be worse the next day.

Most adults need 7 to 8 hours of good sleep each night to stay healthy. Some cope with just 5, whereas others may need as many as 10 hours.

Many things complicate this, including medication for pain, depression, anxiety and even sleeplessness. Lifestyle habits such as caffeine usage, sugar consumption, alcohol consumption and lack of cardiovascular exercise also affect sleep negatively. There is a strong correlation between poor sleeping patterns and obesity, too.

Many of these practices can be changed with very little effort,t and here are a few simple ways that will help you improve your health and reduce your pain:

• Avoid using caffeine, alcohol or sugary products for 12 hours before sleeping.

• Keep a regular sleep routine: Same time, same place, same process.

• Remove distractions from your bedroom:  No TV and no mobile devices.

• Keep your bedroom cool and dark.

• Consider “white noise” in the background to dull outside disturbances.

If you suffer from any illness or health issue, we urge you to involve your physician before you engage in any physical activities, diet plans or training programs. We will gladly answer any questions you may have resulting from the tips above.