Why Getting Better Sleep Should be a Top New Year’s Resolution

It’s the time of year when we start thinking about how to meet our New Year’s resolutions. Some of the most popular resolutions involve getting in better shape, living a healthier life, spending less money, and traveling more. What many people don’t take into account when they’re considering New Year’s resolutions is getting a good night’s sleep.

After all, a good night’s sleep is something that most of us don’t think about too often unless we’re not getting one. We all experience the odd night or two of insomnia, but when those sleepless nights—or nights when sleep isn’t so restful—come one after the other, they can leave us tired and cranky, and make even the simplest of tasks difficult to focus on and complete. Unfortunately, for some of us these nights of poor sleep are an all-too-frequent occurrence. So, when you’re thinking of resolutions this year, why not resolve to get better sleep? If nothing else, being well rested will help you tackle all those other resolutions! You’ll have more energy, you’re more likely to exercise and eat healthier, and you’ll handle stressful situations more easily.

But how do you do go about improving your sleep in the new year? A simple Google search—or a call to your local Kansas City sleep specialist—will turn up a number of pieces of simple advice from sleep experts that will help you get started. Set aside time at the end of the day to unwind and unplug—this means staying off your mobile devices, turning off the TV, and shutting down the computer. Watch your caffeine and sugar intake at dinner time. Try to make a habit of going to bed and waking up at the same time each day. Create a sleep-positive environment in your bedroom by setting the thermostat to a comfortable level, reducing the amount of light, and even facing the clock away from you, so that you don’t spend all night staring at the time and obsessing about when you need to get up. Some of your other resolutions might even help! Did you resolve to get more exercise in the new year? A little exercise every day not only promotes good overall health and fitness, it also helps you fall asleep. Did you resolve to give up energy drinks or sugary, caffeinated sodas? That’ll help you drift off to dreamland, too!

Whatever you do to help yourself get a better night’s sleep this year, however, you can only go so far if you have an underlying disorder that is preventing you from enjoying a healthy, natural, full night’s sleep. Remember that snoring is just one of many indicators of a sleep disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea, and a sleep apnea specialist in Kansas City can help you to determine if you suffer from sleep apnea or any other disorders. Fortunately, you don’t have to make an appointment with a sleep lab or hospital. Your dentist can actually help you with the diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and other sleep disorders with customized oral appliances that they craft right there in the office!

Besides specializing in family and cosmetic dentistry, Blacker Family Dental is also a Kansas City sleep specialist who can help you get your best night’s sleep this year! Just give us a call at (816) 763-8400 or click here to schedule an appointment.