If there is something we could all use in the new year, it is better sleep. It seems everyone encounters problems getting a full night’s rest. There are numerous reasons that you may be encountering problems with sleep. Sometimes, however, this has to do with the overall positioning or how your body feels. You can make orthopedic adjustments to see if that makes a difference. Alongside these changes, there are environmental characteristics that can make for better sleep as well.
Our team at South Shore Orthopedics has been able to help many patients see better sleep in their life due to adjustments in their orthopedic health.
Getting Better Sleep In The New Year
Move More During The Day
By bringing more activity into your everyday life, you can feel better when you go to sleep. Exercise has been proven to be a direct link to better sleep. However, an important aspect of this recognizes the effect of the time of day you exercise. When completing aerobic exercises, your body releases endorphins. These chemicals can keep people awake if they are trying to sleep shortly after completing the activity. So, while the activity itself is helpful for sleep, you can benefit from completing it more than one to two hours before you intend to go to bed.
Avoid Caffeine Later In The Day
Even if you love the taste of coffee throughout your day, it is best to stop drinking it earlier. As the caffeine in drinks such as coffee and energy drinks is a stimulant, it can make it much more difficult to fall asleep. The most common time of day to stop consuming caffeine is considered to be 3 p.m. You may think that it is early, but the half-life of caffeine is 3 to 5 hours, meaning that only half of it is gone by that time.
Make Your Room The Best Setting
The setting of your bed is one of the most important parts of sleep. Something as simple as the lighting in the room has the potential to do your sleep a disservice. Alongside the lighting, ensure the temperature is comfortable, as people tend to sleep better in colder settings. Once you have made these changes to your bedroom, you may notice easier sleep soon! Any of these could have been playing a role in your sleep.
Take Notice Of Pain
This is not something to ignore if you feel orthopedic pain when you go to bed or wake up. This could be due to several issues, but the sooner you work toward a solution, the sooner you can get back to a good night’s rest and better sleep. If none of these tips are helping, it may signify that something more is going on.
Be Cognizant Of Sleep Position
Sometimes, the position you are sleeping in can cause your body pain. If you notice that your body positioning feels uncomfortable, it may be time to switch it up. Your doctor may be able to tell you the problem. Your pillow may not be the best option for your body. It may even be the quality of your mattress. Both of these things, paired with an unsuitable sleeping position, can wreak havoc on your body.
Start the new year refreshed with better sleep than ever before. A few adjustments to your evening routine can set your body up for success. Don’t waste any more time struggling to feel rested! Are you interested in seeing if there is an orthopedic issue causing problems with your sleep? Schedule a consultation with one of our doctors to find out more! Check out our website or give us a call to get an appointment in the books.