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Common Sleep Problems for the Spring
wp:paragraph March 18th is World Sleep Day, and with spring officially starting very soon, we are looking at a few common sleep problems that many people experience at this time of year. Spring comes with not only a change in the weather, but you may also notice a few unwanted changes in your sleeping patterns. Here are four common sleep tips for the spring problems that a lot of people deal with it. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Allergies: Yes, springtime allergies are extremely common with the warmer weather, so you may be dealing with symptoms such as sneezing and congestion that are present while you are trying to sleep. This can be extremely unpleasant and can keep you up at night, so be sure to take advantage of any over the counter medications that may alleviate your symptoms and speak to your doctor if it gets worse. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Extended sunlight: Now that the days are longer and the sun is setting later, you may find that your internal clock has been thrown off a bit. Our bodies tend to naturally wind down when it is darker so your bedtime may just be a bit off. Make sure you get in lots of sunlight during the daytime and be sure to take the time to properly wind down at night with a solid bedtime routine. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph External noise: With the weather nicer, you may find yourself kept up by not only birds chirping away, but other factors, such as noisy construction projects in your area may be keeping you up. If you cannot sleep through it, try using earplugs and look at options to keep your windows as soundproof as possible. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Increase in activities: Between spending more time outdoors, an increase in social gatherings and participating in sports and other activities, your bedtimes may not be as consistent in the spring as they normally would be. While there is nothing wrong with deviating from your routine every now and then, make sure you get back on track, and avoid high intensity exercise before bedtime. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Contact us for more information. /wp:paragraph
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Six Ways to Give Your Sleep Routine a Little Spring Cleaning
wp:image {"id":6961,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} /wp:image wp:paragraph Now that the snow has gone away and the days of warm weather are just around the corner, you may be gearing up to do a little spring cleaning in your life. Why not do some spring cleaning with your sleep routine as well? There are many reasons as to why your sleep routine may be feeling a bit off these days. Maybe you are tired of the pandemic and can’t stop thinking about all of the news, maybe those spring allergies are starting to creep in, or maybe your body never fully adjusted from that spring forward time change that occurred a few weeks ago. With the following six tips, you can find yourself going into the warmer weather with a restful sleep. /wp:paragraph wp:list {"ordered":true,"type":"1"} Turn your bedroom into a sleep only zone; avoid using your bedroom for anything other than sleeping and keep the room cool, dark and quiet. Blackout curtains and a noise machine can be helpful with this. Establish a bedtime routine and stick to it; this way your body knows to wind down and prepare for a good night’s sleep. And make sure you go to bed around the same time every night. Avoid technology for at least an hour before bedtime; that blue light effect from your phone does not have a good effect on your REM sleep cycle, so it’s best to put your devices away and read a book instead. Bonus tip: leave your devices to charge in a different room so you are not tempted to look at it. Be careful of what you eat or drink before bedtime; avoid alcohol, heavy meals or any caffeinated drinks for at least a few hours before you go to bed, as these are all known to keep you awake. Try a cup of herbal tea instead. Take advantage of the sun; Now that the weather is getting warmer, try and get outside for a little Vitamin D during the daytime. This has been known to do wonders for your body’s internal clock and your REM sleep cycle. Get in some exercise during the daytime; Although this may seem more difficult right now with the pandemic, even 30 minutes of daily walking around the neighborhood has been known to help you sleep better at night. /wp:list
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Spring Clean Your CPAP
wp:paragraph Having a CPAP machine is a great way for those with sleep apnea to get a better sleep. But like anything else any item you use daily, your CPAP machine needs to be cleaned too. Over time, dust, mold, and other particles can all accumulate in and on your machine, affecting its ability to operate. Here are some tips to give your machine a spring cleaning to keep it running smoothly and at peak performance: /wp:paragraph wp:list {"ordered":true} Clean each hose thoroughly and let them air dry. If either tube appears cracked or broken, replace them with updated tubes. Wipe your mask to remove dirt, oil, and other debris that can quickly build up. Wipes can also refresh your mask to ensure a sweet slumber. Use wipes intended for CPAP machines to avoid harsh chemicals that can eat away at your mask. To keep your air fresh and clean while you sleep, replace your filters with new ones. Consider getting a bacteria filter to help prevent microbes from entering your mask. To remove any mold buildup, clean and disinfect your humidifier chamber with a solution designed specifically for CPAP machines. Wash your headgear by hand - do not put in the dishwasher or lay it out in the sun to dry as the as heat can warp the components. Never use bleach or alcohol-based cleansers to clean your machine and components. Use unscented mild soaps instead. Check all other components of your CPAP machine thoroughly and replace any parts that have warped, cannot be cleaned completely, or have cracked. /wp:list wp:paragraph Start Shopping Today! /wp:paragraph
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