Sleep

PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM INJURY OR CHRONIC PAIN OFTEN FIND THEMSELVES DEALING WITH DISRUPTION IN THERE NORMAL RESTFUL SLEEP CYCLE.

DISRUPTED SLEEP IS OFTEN CAUSED BY THE INABILITY TO GET COMFORTABLE SIMPLY DUE TO PAIN OR THE INABILITY TO CALM ONE’S MIND.

THERE ARE MANY FACTORS THAT EFFECT SLEEP CYCLES. FROM EMOTHIONAL CONCERNS TO MORE PHYSICAL MATTERS.

GOOD QUALITY SLEEP IS VITAL TO HEALING, AND DAY TO DAY HEALTH AND RECOVERY. CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR AND ENVIRONMENT ARE THE FIRST LINE OF EFFORT WITH REGUARD TO TREATING SLEEP DIFFICULTIES.

GOOD SLEEP FOLLOWING A PHYSICAL OR EMOTIONAL TRAUMA WILL SPEED THE BODIES OVERALL ABILITY TO DEAL WITH THE TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE BOTH PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY.

THERE ARE MULTIPLE STAGES TO THE SLEEP CYCLE CULMINATING TO A GRADUAL SLOWING OF THE BRAINS NORMAL WAVE CYCLE, LEADING TO REM SLEEP OR DEEP SLEEP. THIS SLEEP CYCLE IS REGARDED AS THE MOST CRITICAL FOR HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS. GRADUAL ACCOMODATION TO ALL SLEEP CYCLES IS VITAL TO ANY PERSONAL RECOVERY.

HEALTHY SLEEP PATERNS COME FROM GOOD HABITS. HERE ARE SOME HELPFUL HINTS.

DAY TIME HABITS:

• ATTEMPT TO RISE AT THE SAME TIME EACH DAY.

• KEEP A PHYSICALLY ACTIVE LIFESTYLE.

• LIMIT TV WATCHING.

• TRY TO GET OUTDOORS FOR REGULAR DAYTIME SUN LIGHT.

• LIMIT DAY TIME NAPS TO 20 TO 30 MINUTES.

EVENING AND NIGHT TIME HABITS:

• TRY TO GO TO BED AT THE SAME TIME EVERY NIGHT.

• FOLLOW A BED TIME ROUTINE.

• READ OR LISTEN TO RELAXING MUSIC 10 MIN. PRIOR TO BED.

• AVOID CAFFEINE, NICOTINE, ALCOHOL, AND SUGAR BEFORE BED.

• AVOID EATING BEFORE BED.

• DO NOT EAT OR WATCH TV IN BED.

• KEEP BEDROOM IN A LOW STRESS RESTFULL ATTMOSPHERE.

• IF YOU DON’T FALL ASLEEP IN 30 MINS. GET UP AND DO SOMETHING RELAXING IN LOW LIGHT.