Springing Forward...It is that time again!

Yes, it is that time again where we are excited for the longer evenings with daylight and sunshine, but also grumble at our alarm clocks and get up “in the middle of the night” to adjust to the missing hour in the morning: Daylight Savings time (DST) will be here this weekend!

For many of us, this disruption of our normal rhythm can lead to insomnia, added stress and anxiety, not to mention a sense of tiredness or even exhaustion during the day. 

Here are a few simple steps to help ease the transition:

1. Start setting your alarm 15 min early in the morning, a couple of days before the actual date of DST.

2. Get plenty of sunshine. If you can, go outside right after you get up and soak in some direct sunlight. This helps your body to adjust its sleep/wake cycle and it will improve your mood as well.

3. Practice good sleep hygiene: Make sure to go to bed an hour earlier. Start winding down for a few hours before your bedtime, avoid TVs phones and computer screens, have a soothing cup of chamomile tea.

4. Take it easy for the first few days. Allow yourself extra times of rest and don’t expect your body to “spring forward” in one fast jump.
   

Adding to these recommendations, here are a few notes on what Chinese Medicine thinks about sleep and insomnia:

1. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) does not treat insomnia as a solitary ailment but as a symptom of imbalance within the body.

2. TCM recognizes various causes and patterns of insomnia such as Liver Qi Stagnation (a common experience in highly stressful situations) which can lead to difficulty falling asleep, or Heart and Spleen deficiency, leading to restless sleep. Identifying the root cause is crucial in providing effective treatment.

3. Stress is a pervasive disruptor of sleep, and we advocate for lifestyle choices that will reduce daily stress. This approach involves practices like Qi Gong and Tai Chi, which not only mitigate stress but can also direct excess energy in the body, often a contributor to sleeplessness.

4. Herbal medicine, with its rich tradition in TCM, can be combined into formulas tailored to the individual's needs. Herbs such as Suan Zao Ren (sour jujube seed), Fu Ling (poria), and Bai Zi Ren (Arbor vitae seed) are components of many sleep-inducing formulas known to calm the spirit and nourish the heart.

5. Lifestyle recommendations in TCM for addressing insomnia mirror those suggested by modern sleep experts – a dedicated sleep schedule, calming bedtime rituals, and eliminating sleep disruptors.

6. Nutrition plays an important role as well: In Chinese Medicine, maintaining a balance within the body is not solely a matter of what happens during the day; it’s just as much about what occurs during the night. Nutrition plays a crucial role, and foods are often categorized as warming, cooling, damp, and dry, with the aim to address specific imbalances. For instance, foods that nourish Yin, the cooling aspect of the body, can be beneficial for those experiencing night sweats or anxiety-induced insomnia.
   

Are you suffering from temporary or chronic insomnia? Talk to me or come for a treatment and let's see whether we can get you back into a restful sleep pattern.

Please reach out with any questions, and Book here for a free consultation !