Sleep Tips!

Acupuncture and Chiropractic Health No Comments
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Sleep issues affect many Americans. With so much technology surrounding us, our bodies often feel charged and not relaxed or rested. This can cause nights of lying awake, watching the clock tick away. 

Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Formulas are amazing at treating sleep issues (it is one of my favorite things to treat)! Listed below are some tips to try at home to further help treat sleep issues when you can’t make it in for an appointment.

Deep Belly Breathing

Deep belly breathing helps calm the mind and relax the body. It relaxes the nervous system which helps the body and mind feel ready for sleep. As you are lying in bed about to go to sleep try to focus breathing into your belly and not your chest. Mentally count to 5 seconds while breathing in through your nose and slowly filling up your belly.

Hold the breath at the top before exhaling out your nose and slowly releasing your belly for 5 seconds. Hold the breath at the bottom before inhaling again. Do about 5 rounds of this breathing. Sometimes it is helpful to place a hand on your belly so you can feel it filling up and emptying out as you are doing the breathing.

KID1 Acupressure Point

Before going to sleep, sit in bed and massage Kidney 1 acupuncture point on both feet. Apply firm pressure and rub for 1 minute. This point helps to ground the body and mind making one feel calmer.

You can find Kidney 1 acupuncture point on the sole of the foot, between the 2nd and 3rd toes, about ⅓ the distance from the base of the 2nd toe and the heel. There will be a slight depression you can feel.

Essential Oil 

Lavender essential oil is great at night because of its relaxing, stress relieving, and calming properties. Use the oil by putting a few drops on a cotton ball next to your pillow, directly applying it to your pillow, or using it in a diffuser. If your skin is not sensitive to the oil you can apply some on your chest, wrists, and on KID1 acupuncture point.

Lavender, Roman camomile, Geranium, Copaiba, jojoba

Epsom Salt Baths

These are great to do at the end of the day or before bedtime to help unwind. Soak in warm water with epsom salt for 10-30 minutes. The epsom salt helps relax your muscles and calm your mind.

Magnesium

Magnesium helps limit the effects of Cortisol “the stress hormone” in the body. Too much Cortisol can cause people to have difficulty falling asleep and getting into a deep sleep. Another benefit of Magnesium is that it helps relax the muscles which can physically calm the body. We like using Natural Vitality CALM magnesium supplement at WGA. Take 1 serving before bed.

All these things relax the body and mind getting you ready for a peaceful night’s sleep. The next time you’re having difficulties falling and staying asleep, schedule an Acupuncture appointment and try incorporating a few of these tips!