Sleep can feel a lot like money. When it’s there, we often don’t notice it, but when it’s not, its absence can be painful. Not only does poor sleep affect our overall health, it can elevate stress levels, impair mood, memory, and even work performance. If you suffer from depression, anxiety, or any other mental health concerns, losing just a few nights of sleep can exacerbate the symptoms.

If you’ve been waking up tired, one solution might be regulating your sleep habits. This could come in the form of eliminating all screens one hour before sleep, stopping the caffeine after 3pm, or sticking to a consistent bedtime. Although these habits can go a long way, they aren’t the only solution.

Here are three other ideas for a great night’s sleep.

Good Sleep Ain't Cheap | Sleep Apnea Wilmington NC

Get a Quality Mattress

When you consider that we spend nearly one-third of our lives sleeping, investing in a decent mattress doesn’t seem all that radical. The unfortunate part is that, in general, the higher the price, the better the materials and quality, some even suggesting that anything below $2,500 isn’t going to be the best fit. One thing to consider is that many mattress companies will let you test-drive their product for free.

Thick Curtains

Maybe it’s the early morning sunshine or that pesky streetlight right across the street, either way, light has an effect on our quality of sleep. As soon as it hits us, our brain stops producing the sleep hormone, melatonin. Blackout curtains are an inexpensive and effective solution, and can be purchased at almost any big box store. If you’re traveling, a sleep mask can also do the trick.

Get Tested For Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes pauses in our breathing during sleep. Each pause can last few seconds to full minute, and is usually preceded and followed by loud snoring. If you’ve been waking up feeling tired despite eight hours of sleep, have been experiencing frequent headaches, memory loss, or weight gain, it’s possible you may be suffering from sleep apnea.

The potential dangers of sleep apnea are great. Because it can significantly affect blood-oxygen levels, persistent sleep apnea can increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, or even motor vehicle collisions. Fortunately, sleep apnea is easily treatable. The most common form of sleep apnea is caused by airflow obstruction, and with treatments such as customizable mouthguards which can be provided by your dentist, your airways can be kept open during the middle of the night, and you can finally get the rest your deserve.

If you would like to learn whether you qualify for this convenient and simple snoring and sleep apnea treatment, please call (910) 392-6060 or email Kuzma Advanced Dentistry.