One of my favorite pastimes is to peruse through second-hand bookshops and collect classic titles in hardcover format of classics. I never know what I may find and it’s always a score if I come across a book that has a special inscription inside. Books relax me – it helps to calm my mind and put me at ease when I read…I can become completely lost in that moment and lose track of time. I think that’s why I love to read right before I go to bed- my thoughts slowly shut down and my breathing comes into sync with my resting state.
I start off my workday by finishing up my coffee while reading literature that is work related- I find that it gets me in the right mind set as I start off my day.
Do you find yourself sleeping many hours, but still waking up tired?
Here are some things to ask yourself:
- Have you ever caught yourself breathing through your mouth?
- Do you know or have been told that you snore?
- Do you wake up frequently to use the bathroom?
- Do your gums bleed a lot and feel “puffy?”
- Do you find that you have neck or shoulder pain?
- Do you know if you grind your teeth?
If you answer yes to any of these questions, then you may want to consider being tested for sleep apnea.
By not having proper rest, your body can’t “take a break” and fully recover from the day’s activities. Restless sleep also can exacerbate symptoms of other health conditions and just make you feel overall worse- physically and mentally.
Take care of your sleep by taking care of your breathing – follow up with your dentist or other healthcare provider to be evaluated properly.
Over the next few posts, we will go into further discussion about healthy sleep and healthy breathing.