Acupuncture can help:
Acupuncture has shown to help achieve a relaxing and sound sleep and avoid insomnia. Two powerful points in the ear can send you off to dreamland. You can get a taste for acupuncture for insomnia at our group acupuncture clinics every Thursday for just $10.
Take a moment:
Make some time in your schedule for a pre-sleep relaxation ritual. Taking a hot bath just before bed has been shown to promote a deep, restful sleep. You can also add a handful of hops to the bathwater or place a small amount of dried hops wrapped in a cloth inside your pillow case. Hops are used to reduce restlessness during sleep.
Aromatherapy:
Put a few drops of chamomile essential oil on your pillow just before bed. You can also use an aromatherapy diffuser or add a few drops to water in a spray bottle to disperse the scent around your bedroom. At Integrative Acupuncture we incorporate essential oils into your acupuncture treatment. We also offer the high quality, Snow Lotus brand essential oils for sale in our dispensary.
Relax your soles:
Tap the soles and both sides of the feet gently with a hairbrush for five minutes, paying special attention to the point below the ball of the foot in the center, about one-third the distance between the toes and heel. This is an acupuncture point that is helpful for grounding and relaxing.
Evening snack tips:
If you choose to eat before bed, a light snack should consist of mostly carbohydrates with a small amount of protein. This combination increases the availability of tryptophan to the brain. Try eating a small bowl of low sugar oatmeal along with low fat milk. A sliced apple with a few slices of cheese can also do the trick. Avoid large amounts of protein before bed, it may keep you from falling into a sound sleep and avoiding insomnia.
