People that are in early recovery may find sleeping difficult with the changes that their body is experiencing from the cessation of drugs and alcohol. Since many people that have an addiction usually only sleep when their body has had enough and finally passes out from excessive drug and alcohol use, their sleep patterns tend to get out of whack. Once they finally get sober, they could suffer from insomnia or experience a lack of energy that makes them want to sleep around the clock. While this may seem like what the body wants to do, there will come a time when you will have to make some changes that will help you get the sleep that you need.
Normalize your circadian rhythm
By having regular sleep patterns, you will begin to sleep when the sun goes down and be awake while the sun is up which is when your circadian rhythm works best. By going to bed around the same time every night and waking up at the same time every morning, you find this is the best way to regulate your slumber in the absence of drugs and alcohol.
Create a tranquil environment
One of the ways that sleep becomes easier is by creating an atmosphere that is comfortable, quiet, dark, and relaxed with proper temperature and ventilation. While some of these elements may not be easily achieved, you should strive to devise a habitat that would induce regular sleep.
Start a bedtime ritual
If you have ever tossed and turned while lying awake all night trying to solve the problems of the world, then you know the discomfort that insomnia can produce. Try doing some activities that will allow you to decompress before bed instead of trying to go to bed overstimulated. Experiment with activities such as reading, meditation, taking a warm bath, using aromatherapy on your pillow, or listening to white noise.
You are what you eat
Avoid caffeine, large meals, and nicotine a few hours before bed. Sometimes the things that you put into your body can play a part in unknowingly keeping you awake. You may have use the process of elimination to figure out how different things can affect your sleep, but it is worth the hassle to be able to get your Zzz.
Poor sleeping conditions can ultimately take a toll on you how you function on a daily basis. Taking the initiative to change your sleeping patterns will help you to eventually get some sound sleep that can make a difference in how you feel.
Serenity Oaks Wellness Center can help someone that abuses drugs and alcohol and get them to stay sober. Our clinical approach with holistic therapy and 12-Step aspects can give you the success that you need to adorn your soul in recovery.
Call us today:
844-720-6847