3 Steps to a Better Night's Sleep

Are you having trouble sleeping at night? There is a good chance you are one of the millions of people that do. According to the CDC, one in three adults isn’t getting enough sleep at night. There are many reasons for this. We will cover some techniques you can employ to get a better night’s sleep tonight.

1- Sleep in the correct position

Sleeping on your back or your side are the best positions for sleeping. If on your back, place a pillow under the knees to support your low back, as well as have a good cervical pillow under the neck and head to support the natural curvature in your neck. Most good cervical pillows have a “hump” built into the pillow that is designed to cradle the natural neck curvature. If sleeping on your side, place a pillow between the knees for support of the low back. For your neck, make sure the pillow that you are using is holding your head in a straight line with the rest of your body. Have someone look at you while you are laying on your side to see how your head lines up with the rest of your spine.  If your head isn’t being held up level, then your pillow is either too flat or too thick for your head.

2 – Power down your devices

You don’t want any unnecessary sources of light or sound at night. So turn off TV’s, computers, cell phones and other devices an hour before you go to bed. Turn your clock away from you so you’re not tempted to check it continuously. And if there is a dim function on the clock, turn it down.

3 – Use the bed for humans only

This one will be difficult for a lot of pet owners. We all love our pets dearly but we are really better off without our pets in our bed. Yes, it is great to cuddle with our favorite furry friend, but there are several downsides to sleeping with Rufus. Pets can crowd our space, making us uncomfortable and thus disrupting our sleep. In addition,  they can trigger allergies with fur, dander, fleas, and pollen.

If you or someone you know has trouble sleeping at night, particularly due to aches or pains, schedule a pillow fitting or a spinal health check with us today. We can be reached at 573-635-9655.

Yours in health,

Dr. Ted Tang