You might be surprised to learn that many people suffer from undiagnosed sleep apnea that is negatively impacting their quality of life. Our bodies need high quality sleep to keep us alert and healthy while we’re awake, and you probably have first-hand experience with what happens after a night of bad sleep. Coastal Virginia Sleep Solutions wants you to get enough sleep so you function at your best during the day, so read our tips on how to get better sleep.
How Do I Know If I’m Getting Bad Sleep?
Some patients can tell right away if they are getting bad sleep, but there are others who may experience more subtle symptoms of poor sleep. Some of the indicators of a poor night’s sleep include:
- Waking up with a sore jaw or dry mouth, indicating tooth grinding or snoring
- Feeling extremely tired when waking up or difficulty staying awake
- Reduced memory, poor concentration, or short temper
- Weight gain and high blood pressure
You deserve to receive the benefits that sleep provides. Many people who improve their sleep will discover a renewed zest for life once they realize what they’ve been missing!
Improve Sleep Quality: Create A Sleep Routine
Our bodies respond well to routine. Improving sleep quality starts with what you do before getting in bed to let your body know that it’s time to start winding down. Nearly every sleep specialist recommends eliminating screen time before bed, and many devices have settings that make this easier. For example, on an iPhone, you can set up a bedtime reminder where your phone automatically enters Do Not Disturb mode at a certain time and notifies you when it’s time for bed.
With a consistent routine, your body will learn to get sleepy at the same time every night, which makes it easier to fall asleep once you get in bed. What you do before bed will look different for everyone, but you might think about keeping the lights low, reducing noise levels, or even gentle stretching or meditation.
Get the Right Pillow For Your Sleeping Style
Are you a side, stomach, or back sleeper? There are different types of pillows available depending on your sleep style that keep your head and neck in alignment. This reduces tension and keeps your airway open while you sleep so you can wake up feeling refreshed.
Get A Sleep Apnea Screening
If you have made changes to your sleep hygiene but still feel like you aren’t getting better sleep, contact Coastal Virginia Sleep Solutions for a sleep screening. We can identify sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, and recommend innovative treatments to help you get the sleep you need to stay healthy.