As I’ve gotten older, I’ve started to cherish sleeping. It’s not just because I’m a chiropractor in Springfield, IL, and understand the incredible health benefits of sleep, it’s because I’m a dreamer. No, it’s mostly because I understand the incredible health benefits sleep has on my mental and physical health.
Benefits of Quality Sleep
- Boosted Immune System
- Prevents Weight Gain
- Strengthens Heart Health
- Improved Mood
- Increased Productivity
- Lower Risk of Accidents
- Better Exercise Performance
- Improved Memory and Cognition
- Lower Stress Levels
All of those sound so nice. Especially compared to the consequences of not getting enough sleep:
No thank you very much.
When we sleep our body repairs itself from the stresses we encountered during the day. It forges new connections to improve our memory and cognition. It produces antibodies to fight off infection and disease. Plus it feels so dang good. It can literally turn us into a new person, with a new outlook on life.
I know I’m not the only one who understands the value of good quality sleep. 10% of the population is so desperate that they turn to over-the-counter sleep medication to help them get to sleep, so they can be more tolerable and better tolerate waking life.
It’s not ideal. As a chiropractor, I’ve dedicated my life to natural, non-invasive, conservative, preventative healthcare. That’s why I shy away from turning to over-the-counter anything – sleep medication, painkillers, colonoscopies. I want my patients to depend on their own bodies to function properly rather than being dependent on a pill and taking a gamble with the harmful side effects.
Natural Alternatives to Sleep Medication
Chamomile
The OG relaxation potion, chamomile is like the granddaddy of relaxation, and it’s been soothing souls for centuries. This magic potion contains chemicals called flavonoids, a type of nutrient found in plants. This is where chamomile gets all its power.
Better sleep isn’t the only thing chamomile is good for. It can also:
- Relieve menstrual symptoms
- Lower blood sugar and reduce the risk of diabetes complications
- Prevent osteoporosis (the progressive loss of bone density)
- Reduce inflammation (the source of all disease)
- Prevent cancer cells from developing
- Relieve common cold symptoms
- Repair sensitive skin, reduce skin hydration, and treat acne
One thing’s for sure, chamomile’s sedative vibes make it the perfect bedtime sidekick.
Lavender
This fragrant wonder is like a lullaby for the senses. Studies show that lavender’s aroma can ease anxiety and get to sleep faster. The aromatic herb triggers a response in the nervous system to calm brain function. Lavender tea is one of the best anxiety-reducing, de-stressing out there.
Lavender also:
- Eases menstrual pain
- Protects skin from fungal infections
- Balances the immune system
- Supports digestive health
- Improves respiratory health
- Eases anxiety
- Heals wounds
- Promotes hair growth
- Relieves migraine pain
All of these things are great on their own, but they can also help us sleep better. So, whether it’s a lavender-infused pillow, a few drops of essential oil, or a steaming cup of team, get whisked away into dreamland.
Valerian Root
Valerian root is a secret straight from Mother Nature’s medicine cabinet. It might sound like the name of a mystical forest creature, but it’s actually a powerhouse when it comes to calming our nerves. Valerian has been used for eons to promote relaxation and help people catch those elusive Zs.
While this isn’t the sweet smeller of lavender, valerian root contains a chemical messenger compound that helps regulate nerve impulses. This makes it a great supplement to treat insomnia, anxiety, depression, PMS, menopause symptoms, and headaches.
“Nature’s Valium” comes in various forms – from teas to supplements – so give it a try and let valerian work its sleepy magic.
Passionflower
When our mind is running a marathon while our body’s begging for a snooze, passionflower may be our best bet. This natural gem has been used to tackle both anxiety and insomnia, making it a real MVP in the world of sleep aids.
By reducing cortisol levels and increasing serotonin, passionflower supports healthy hormone balance, calming our stress response and improving sleep quality.
It’s not just sleep that benefits from passionflower, anxiety, pain, heart rhythm problems, menopausal symptoms, and ADHD are all improved by this multitasker.
Melatonin
Our body naturally produces this sleep hormone sidekick, but sometimes, life throws a curveball and messes with our melatonin production. That’s where supplements come in. Melatonin supplements can give your body that gentle nudge it needs to embrace the land of dreams, especially if dealing with jet lag or shift work.
Melatonin helps regulate circadian rhythms helping people fall asleep, stay asleep, and go back to sleep quickly if they wake up.
Because it is a naturally occurring hormone, it’s best if the body is able to produce it on its own. Chiropractic care (foreshadowing) helps regulate hormone production so that rather than turning to outside sources to help with melatonin production, we can rely on the power of our own body.
Magnesium
This mighty relaxation mineral is like a well-deserved spa day. This powerhouse plays a role in over 300 biochemical reactions in our body, including muscle relaxation and sleep regulation. Get ready for this:
- Converting food into energy
- Creating new proteins from amino acids
- Helping create and repair DNA and RNA
- Aiding in muscle contraction and relaxation
- Regulating neurotransmitters, which send messages throughout the brain and nervous system
- Boost exercise performance
- Combatting depression
- Supporting healthy blood sugar levels
- Promoting heart health
- Decreasing inflammation
- Preventing migraine attacks
- Improving PMS symptoms
- Promoting bone health
- Reducing anxiety
Whether or not we need it for sleep, this is a mineral we need to be consuming. Magnesium can be found in:
- Pumpkin seeds
- Chia seeds
- Spinach, boiled
- Almonds
- Cashews
- Black beans, cooked
- Edamame, cooked
- Peanut butter
- Brown rice, cooked
- Salmon, cooked
- Halibut, cooked
- Avocado
When our magnesium levels are on point, we’re more likely to sleep peacefully through the night. So, whether it’s through foods rich in magnesium or a trusty supplement, this mineral must be our snooze-time ally.
Natural sleep aids are fantastic, but creating a calming bedtime ritual is the cherry on top. I’m talking about turning off those screens an hour before bed, dimming the lights, and settling into a cozy corner with a good book or some gentle music. This signals to your body that it’s time to wind down and get ready for a night of sweet slumber.
At The Springfield Wellness Center, we work with patients to make these lifestyle changes, but more importantly, we work with the greatest natural sleep aid of all…
Chiropractic Care
Optimizing the nervous system is the best way to regulate the hormones necessary for sleep. Whether we’re kept put by stress, pain, or a lack of melatonin, chiropractic care confronts the obstacles in our way of a good night’s sleep.
Chiropractic treatments alleviate the tension we carry in our bodies, encouraging blood flow which makes it easier for our muscles and our minds to relax.
If pain or discomfort is getting in the way of falling asleep, a chiropractor can provide natural pain relief with chiropractic adjustments.
By optimizing the nervous system through chiropractic care, hormone regulation is balanced, and improved communication with the brain ensures the body has everything it needs to function at its best.
Tossing and turning is so last year. We can do ourselves, and everyone who interacts with our exhausted attitudes, a real favor by prioritizing sleep. Prioritizing our health. Give us a call or schedule a time to meet with one of our amazing doctors and try not to fall asleep on the ride home from the office.