4 Tips to Get Through Winter with Acid Reflux

Suffering from sleep apnea is never a welcome event. But when triggers are upped, those side effects can become increasingly worse. Especially when factors can’t be controlled, such as with winter allergens, or spices you didn’t know would keep you from getting quality sleep. No matter the cause however, or even if you might know what the cause may be, there are plenty of simple adjustments to help get you through the winter months.

When the temperature drops, gain better sleep by:

4. Eating Lighter … or Earlier

Winter is often cause for heartier and heavier meals. Which, unfortunately, can trigger some serious acid reflux. Go light on the second helping, or eat at earlier dinner and give the body more time to digest your favorite winter dishes. 

3. Layer an Extra Blanket

Keep the thermostat down a degree or two, then add an extra blanket to your bed in order to stay warm. This simple change will help you sleep deeper, while also providing for better digestion practices. This will work to keep stomach acid where it belongs: in the stomach. 

2. Go to Bed Early

It’s dark early anyway – why not gain a few extra Zs? Set your bedtime 30 minutes or so earlier than normal (or even more if you’re feeling especially efficient) to gain more sleep. This will allow the body to “set” its time to drift off, which naturally allows you to ease into a deeper layer of rest. 

1. Cool Down the Shower

Showering right before bed might be a great way to relax from the cold, especially when there’s plenty of steam involved. But it’s also a practice that can raise your core body temp, making it more difficult to fall or stay asleep. Take showers earlier in the evening or cool down the temp to avoid this side effect.

Stick to these simple tips to gain better, more restful sleep all winter long.