Get in a routine

Having trouble sleeping? Little children thrive in a structured environment, why should adults be any different? Having a bedtime ritual seems to help the body wind down and prepare for sleep, but first you have to know thy self. Keep a sleep diary. Note how long it takes you to fall asleep and what time you get up. Also keep note of how many times you get up at night and how long you were up. Make similar notes for any naps that you take. During the day keep track of how sleep you feel (1(falling over)-10 (totally energized) rating system is helpful). After a week, a pattern will start to emerge.

But I am exhausted all the time?

You probably have a sleep deficit built up. How long does it take you to fall asleep in a dark room under optimal conditions? The seriously sleep deprived will start to snooze in 5 minutes where the fully rested take about 20 minutes. How much sleep one needs varies, but you probably have a rough idea about yourself already, so get at least that much sleep per night for a couple of days while keeping up with you sleep diary. If you find yourself getting sleepier each day add more sleep time, again allowing yourself to work off the sleep deficit for a couple of days before reassessing. Once you have figured out how much sleep you need implement a regular sleep schedule. If you are a morning person, go to bed early enough to take advantage of your "awake" time. Don’t try to change what you are, Mother Nature will always win.

The following, some of which are “no brainers”, may help you get a great snooze:

Avoid caffeine at night

Don’t eat late (3 hrs before bed)

Have a regular bedtime schedule

Avoid the disturbing – violence on T.V., this may include news broadcasts

Banish noise

Why as a chiropractor am I concerned with patients getting the proper amount of sleep?

Quite simply, your nervous system needs sleep. Without the proper amount of sleep generally takes longer for damaged tissue to repair. Damaged joints, especially in the spine contribute to nerve pressure and that effects over all health!