We treat sleep issues with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Here are some simple things you can do to help improve your sleep at home:

1. Lie on the floor and put your lower legs up on a couch so your knees form a 90 degree angle. You can also rest your legs straight up a wall. Put a small pillow or towel under your head/neck if comfortable, and cover your eyes to block out light. Do this for 15 minutes. Take slow, deep breaths and clear your mind.

2. Take a bath before bed. You can add lavender or your favorite calming essential oil to the bath.

3. Contract and stretch your muscles when you get into bed. If you notice an area that is particularly tense (between your eyebrows, temples, jaw, and/or behind your ears), try to rub the area gently to relax it.

4. Alcohol initially acts as a sedative. A few hours after you fall asleep though, you are more apt to pop out of that sleep cycle. If you do drink, try to do so three hours before trying to sleep.

5. If you eat just before sleeping, your body will focus more on digesting than focusing on restorative aspects of sleeping (detoxification, cell regeneration, etc.). Try not to eat at least two hours before bedtime.