Every year approximately 42 million prescriptions are filled for sleeping pills. There are studies that show that over 60% of the population suffers from a sleep disorder. A common problem is fatigue. It’s no wonder that people who have trouble sleeping are going to be exhausted. Here’s what a lack of sleep does to your body:
- It affects your adrenal glands, those little battery packs above your kidneys. With a lack of sleep they become exhausted leading to an increase in cortisol secretion which causes your body to store fat and become tense or stressed, which causes pain.
- It decreases immune function by decreasing natural secretion of “natural killer cells” that help to protect your body against viruses, bacteria and cancer.
- It throws off normal hormone secretion. What is especially affected is your loss of growth hormone.
What to do?
- Try not to eat up to 2 hours before bed time
- Regular exercise helps with sleeping
- Chiropractic adjustments can help relieve pain and tension that hinders a good night’s sleep
- Don’t watch TV in bed
- Sleep in the darkest room possible
- Natural sleep aids like Kava, Melatonin, 5HTP and Rodiola can be used under doctor supervision