Sleep is a beautiful thing. It is a dynamic time of healing and restoration. It is when we surrender control and let our body repair and recharge. But sometimes this surrender is not easy. With the high demands of life and all that is running through our minds, it can be difficult to let go completely and allow sleep to take over. Our society prizes getting things done, however, there is also great value in doing nothing. Not getting enough sleep can mean more than just having difficulty waking and lagging energy through the day. According to the National Sleep Foundation, too little sleep can contribute to issues ranging from weight gain to heart ailments. In addition, a poor night’s sleep can result in a decrease of motivation, patience, and passion for life.

One of my favorite things to hear is, “I slept so well after my acupuncture treatment!” It is something that occurs quite frequently, as acupuncture enables release. It can free tension and bound up energy, allowing it to flow freely. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the underlying theory is that the body’s energy or qi is circulating through meridians. These meridians connect the internal organs and influence the mind, body, spirit and emotions. Each meridian has an associated emotion. For example, the heart meridian is impacted by anxiety, the liver meridian by stress and anger, and the spleen meridian by worry. Because of this, too much of a certain emotion will have an impact on its associated meridian and the body’s qi, thus creating a disturbance in the spirit. In Chinese Medicine, it is necessary for the mind and spirit to be anchored and grounded during sleep.

I often compare acupuncture to exercise. Just as exercise gets the body into shape, acupuncture gets the qi into shape. The effect is cumulative so that with each treatment movement closer to balance, so vital for our health, is achieved. As insomnia or difficulty sleeping is a symptom of imbalance, this movement can have tremendous impact in breaking the cycle. Acupuncture is a wonderful way to calm and quite the mind and spirit, creating a space where relaxation and sleep are welcome. Do not underestimate this sacred time of rejuvenation. Surrender, and sleep well.

Some suggestions for helping create better night’s sleep:

• Try to establish a regular sleep schedule.
• Make a list of things you need to do before going to sleep. This will help release it from your mind so to avoid running over it in your mind as you try to sleep.
• Try to avoid stimulants like caffeine, sugar and tobacco; especially later on in the day.
• Exercise during the day has been shown to be helpful for a better night’s sleep.
• Keep your bedroom as a place only for sleep. Try to do activities in other parts of the house so that the energy of the bedroom is a restful one.
• Relax before going to bed. Give yourself 20 minutes before bed doing something quiet that you enjoy. This will help set you up for a better night’s sleep.