Helping You Live a Healthy Life!

 

Sleep Better: 8 Simple Steps

Ten to fifteen percent of North Americans suffer from chronic insomnia. Do you? Most of us experience an occasional sleepless night, but prolonged bouts of insomnia can lead to decreased mental function, frazzled nerves, and lowered immunity. The good news is that you don’t have to pop a pill or count sheep: Just follow these simple, natural steps to get more Zs.

·   Exercise regularly, but don’t exercise within four hours of your bedtime. Physical activity speeds up your heart rate and metabolism, making it difficult to wind down at night. Try to schedule your workouts in the morning, so you can benefit from that extra energy during the day.

·   Avoid caffeine after noon. Caffeine is a stimulant found in coffee, tea, cola, and chocolate. Some people clear caffeine from their bodies slowly. These people should avoid caffeine completely.

·   Avoid alcohol. Many people find that alcohol helps them relax at night. Although it may help induce sleep initially, alcohol disrupts your normal sleep patterns, leaving you tired and groggy in the morning.

·   Keep regular sleeping hours. Your body likes routine and will respond better to a consistent bedtime.

·   Don’t work on the computer or watch television for at least one hour before going to bed. These activities stimulate your mind at a time when you should be preparing for rest.

·   Avoid eating large, late evening meals. Do eat a light snack a couple hours before retiring to avoid low blood sugar levels in the middle of the night, which can wake you up.

·   Decrease light in your bedroom. A dark environment is necessary for the production of melatonin, a hormone that encourages a healthy sleep cycle.

·   Try yoga or meditation to clear your mind and help prepare your body for sleep. Like regular sleeping hours, a steady practice will yield the greatest benefits.

In addition, if your insomnia is caused or made worse by aches and pains at night, it may be time for a new mattress and/or pillow—and a visit to your doctor of chiropractic. Your sleeping surface should support the entire body— including the spine, neck, head, and limbs— evenly, with no gaps. For recommendations tailored to your specific needs, talk to your doctor of chiropractic. Chiropractic can also help promote better sleep by correcting imbalances and tension in the body, so that you can relax completely.

 

Question of the Month

Dr. Trester, how often do you get adjusted?

That is a good question. I get adjusted approximately once every two weeks. It depends on my stress levels and how well I am taking care of myself.  Sometimes I have a specific issue but most of the time I visit my chiropractor to keep my nervous system healthy and strong. By practicing wellness care, it helps keep me at my best so I can give the most to the people around me.  It’s one of the greatest things I can do for myself.

 

Health News

To head off allergies, expose your kids to pets and dirt early

Conventional wisdom said that pets promote allergies and that you shouldn’t eat peanuts until you are three years old.  Here’s the new wisdom, early exposure to pets, peanuts and dirt might actually be good because they help a developing immune system determine what real threats are.  To read more:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2006-03-19-allergies-cover_x.htm

Basically your immune system is like your muscles, it needs to be exercised to work properly.  Early exposures to different things in our environment help the immune system to mature properly.

Arguing hurts the heart in more ways than one

Couples who routinely trade nasty or controlling remarks during marital spats might be harming their hearts — and not just emotionally, a study suggests.

The findings fit in with a body of research suggesting that hostile and domineering men and women are at risk of developing heart disease, the No. 1 killer in North America. To read more:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2006-03-05-hostility-study_x.htm

 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

 

Congratulations to Drew and Nicole on the birth of their beautiful baby Kate born on February 18, 2006.

 

Congratulations to Sharon and Peter on the birth of their beautiful baby Geneva born on February 28, 2006.

 

Congratulations to Sylvia and Greg on the birth of their beautiful baby Maezie born on March 17, 2006.

 

 

Referral Rewards Program

 

Just to remind everyone with the referral of every new patient you get 1 free adjustment. So send in a friend, family member or co-worker.  

 

Regular office hours: Monday and Friday 7:30am -1:00pm & 3:00-6:00pm

                                     Wednesday 7:30am -1:00pm

                                     Tuesday and Thursday 10:00am -1:00pm & 3:00-7:00pm

 

Chiropractic Care Can Help...
Our goal is to manipulate the spine and help stimulate your body's natural healing process.

 

Dr. Randall Trester
West 1st Chiropractic Wellness Centre
3-1864 West 1st Avenue
Vancouver BC V6J1G5

T 604 736 8353
F 604 736 8350

www.drrandalltrester.com
info@drrandalltrester.com

 

PS: If you think this Health Report may be helpful to a friend, please feel free to forward it.

 

PPS:  If you have received this Health Report from a friend, I invite you to subscribe to it yourself by simply sending an email to  info@drrandalltrester.com .  Make sure you write "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line.