Signs You Need to Change Your Sleep Habits
By Genevieve Cunningham
Sleep is a very personal thing. Though most people are recommended to get about eight hours of sleep per night, this might vary from each individual. Everyone has their own needs and their own routine. While this is generally a good thing, what if your personal habits just aren’t working? How would you know? And what could you do to change them? Take a look at these signs that your sleeping habits need a little change, followed by some tips to make it happen.
You Wake Up Tired
Contrary to popular belief, you’re not supposed to wake up exhausted. It might take you a few minutes to get your wits about you, but waking up exhausted really shouldn’t be a normal occurrence in your life. If it is, you’re probably not getting enough shut-eye on a regular basis. Pay attention to this sign first thing in the morning. Are you fatigued from the get-go? If the answer is yes, your sleeping habits need an overhaul.
You Toss and Turn
A little tossing and turning on occasion is completely normal. But believe it or not, tossing and turning every night all night long is not supposed to happen. You’re supposed to sleep through the night without too much turmoil. While a single occurrence of this might not mean that anything is wrong, constant turmoil in the night is probably a good indicator of poor sleep.
You Have Insomnia
This one is probably a bit of a no-brainer. If you aren’t sleeping at all, you should definitely re-evaluate your habits. Sleep is necessary for healthy living. Just don’t panic if you have one night of insomnia, as this could happen to anyone. But if you have night after night of counting sheep, it’s time to do something.
What Should You Do?
There are so many ways that you may need to overhaul your sleeping habits. A few things that might help include:
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Set a bedtime - This will help your body get on a schedule, which can eventually lead to better sleep.
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Sleep in the dark - Do you sleep with the TV on? Or a night light? Stop! Get used to sleeping in the dark, and your sleep will become much better quality.
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Banish the phone - How many nights do you stay awake too late simply because you can’t put your phone down? Probably too many. Put down the phone for better sleep and better health.
Getting enough sleep is crucial for good health. If any of these signs are a part of your life, it’s time to take note and make change. With some small changes to your sleeping habits, you may get more sleep for better health now and long into the future.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Santa Monica, Calif.