Just quit smoking? Five basic tips to combat insomnia

 

While many turn their gaze on caffeine as the culprit for insomnia, nicotine is the main offender. In order to enjoy proper sleep hygiene, one must quit smoking. However, nicotine withdrawal causes sleep disturbances. In this blog post, Lisa M. Cannon, M.D. shares a few tips on how to win the battle against insomnia. 

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A warm bath eases the mind and the body, preparing one for some sweet slumber. It is important to set a relaxing environment before hitting the sack to let the mind and body know it is time to rest. Drink herbal tea before bedtime to calm the body and prepare it for sleep. Not only will it prep the mind and body for a good sleep, a cup of tea also helps relieve stress.

Lessen caffeine intake. While cutting caffeine to zero would be unnecessary, reducing it by half will prevent one from being over-caffeinated. Drinking too much coffee can cause one to feel jittery and irritated. Make it a habit to drink coffee early in the day instead of late in the afternoon or night, as consuming caffeine too close to bedtime disrupts sleep. Squeeze in some workout 4 to 6 hours before bedtime. Doing this tires the body and prepares it for deep, restorative sleep.

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According to Lisa M. Cannon, M.D., setting a gadget curfew can promote better production of melatonin, or the hormone that helps regulate sleep. Artificial bluelight emitted by devices hinders the body from producing melatonin, which then would ruin a person’s sleep.

Accomplished physician Lisa M. Cannon, M.D., graduated with a degree in medicine from New York Medical College and earned her fellowship in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine from the renowned Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. At present, she has a private practice in Bergen County, New Jersey. For more updates from Lisa M. Cannon, M.D., visit this page.

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