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Siesta Salvation

Just 5 more minutes...

Just five more minutes…

As the joke says, “sleep is like coffee for those with too much time”. Yet, the science tells us that if we’re not getting enough, our bodies are suffering in one way or another.

There is an aspect of your life that if you are deficient in can lead to weight gain, insulin resistance, increased stress hormone production, decreased alertness and decreased productivity. Yet, it’s something that we often willingly neglect, and we all know we should look after it. Any ideas what it is? Sleep.

Our current culture tends to devalue sleep, and we can be caught thinking those who need more of it are “weak”. As the joke says, “sleep is like coffee for those with too much time”. Yet, the science tells us that if we’re not getting enough, our bodies are suffering in one way or another. Every adult should be aiming for 7-9 hours of good sleep per night, so here are some tips to help you improve your sleep. Too much, or too little sleep is not good for the body.

  1. Create a schedule. You may have heard of the circadian rhythm, or body clock. Most only give it consideration when travelling through different time zones, but it is very important in day-to-day life. Our body likes warning that sleep is coming, so creating a series of pre-sleep activities helps to initiate the sleep routine, stimulate sleep hormones and suppress stress hormones.
  2. Turn your phone off well before bed. Throughout human development, the only time we’ve been able to see blue light is during the day when the sun is up. Sunrise and sunset bask the atmosphere in an orange hue which traditionally signalled to our brains that sleep was coming soon. In modern times, we can stimulate our eyes with blue light right up until we shut them for sleep, and a major source of that is the screens of our TV’s, computers or mobile devices. If you struggle to get to sleep, this can be one big factor.
  3. Avoid alcohol before bed. While a drink can make you feel drowsy and get you to sleep more quickly, it prevents your body from entering the deep REM sleep cycle, meaning you’re more likely to wake up feeling groggy.
  4. Correct your sleep posture. Being comfortable in bed can improve the quantity and quality of your sleep. For back sleepers, try to avoid your head being pushed too far forward by multiple pillows. When lying on your side, aim to keep your head level, not tilted up or down at an angle. Tummy sleeper? Avoid this if you suffer neck tension and headaches as it can aggravate these issues.

If you are looking to improve the quantity, quality or comfort of your sleep, ask your Chiropractor for more information. Chiropractors are well placed to assess and address any strain on your spine that is associated with poor sleep posture.

Dr Michael Osborne – Chiropractor

B.H.Sc (Chiro), M.Clin.Chiro.


Toowoomba Chiropractor Dr Michael Osborne

Meet Dr Michael

Hobbies: I enjoy hiking, biking and kayaking with my family.
Favourite Movie: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Ultimate Holiday Destination: Europe – yes, the whole lot

Come and experience what chiropractic can do to improve your health.

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