Longing for a good night’s rest?
Sleep evades thousands of people around the world. In fact, the CDC reports that 1 in 3 adults don’t get enough sleep.
If you find you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, read on to learn how acupuncture and other natural solutions can help you sleep easy!
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a practice from ancient Chinese medicine that works by applying targeted pressure (with needles or manual pressure) to special points around the body to relieve pain and other issues.
Acupuncture has been clinically reported to increase melatonin in patients with anxiety and increase sleep time.
Before beginning with acupuncture to solve sleep issues, it’s important to discuss it with your doctor. For best results, seek the help of a professional acupuncture or acupressure therapist.
Getting Started With Acupuncture
There are 3 main acupressure points that can aid sleep problems.
The first pressure point is called the Great Rushing, or LV3.
This point is on top of the foot, at the fleshy junction between the big toe and the second toe. As a one-stop healing point, try applying pressure here for 4 – 5 seconds.
Apply 5 minutes of pressure to the second sleep-related pressure point, P6, for insomnia relief. P6 is located between the tendons on your inner forearm, roughly an inch and a half above the wrist.
The third acupressure point for the relief of sleep issues is called K1. K1 can be found on the bottom of your feet, just below the ball of your foot. Hold pressure for 30 seconds, release for 5 seconds, and hold again for 30 seconds.
By repeating these processes over time, you will find yourself sleeping easier and having more energy throughout the day!
Diet and Other Lifestyle Changes
Just as acupuncture can be a natural remedy for sleep issues, many doctors will recommend lifestyle and diet changes to help insomnia patients.
For people with busy lifestyles, setting a bedtime and actually going to sleep on time is an important first step to getting better sleep.
Excess light at night can make it difficult to sleep. This occurs because light disrupts melatonin production in the body. One quick remedy for this is to turn off the TV well before heading to bed!
Avoiding caffeine, large meals, and alcohol before bed is a simple diet tweak to help insomniacs sleep easier. Additionally, drinking a glass of warm milk before bed can increase melatonin.
Melatonin as a Natural Solution to Sleep Easy
In addition to lifestyle changes and acupuncture, taking melatonin supplements can help you sleep easy. These supplements are inexpensive and available over the counter at most local pharmacies.
Melatonin is a natural hormone that regulates sleep. Take it an hour before bedtime for the best results.
Get Some Rest!
Between acupuncture, sleep music, and these other natural solutions, people with insomnia will be on their way to more restful sleep.
Are you on your way to overcoming insomnia? Know of a sleep-easy solution that we might’ve missed? Let us know in the comments below!
