Having aches and pains is no fun at all. Maybe you tend to wake up with an achy neck, or maybe you get a painful back as you go about your daily business. This could mean that when you sleep your head is not in alignment with the rest of your body, or that you’re sitting hunched up for a large portion of the day. Whatever the reason may be, knowing how to deal with your aches and pains is crucial to your wellbeing and comfort.
Below, I’ll discuss a few of the most effective ways to deal with aches and pains. Take a look and see what you can do to start feeling better today:
1. Invest In A Body Pillow
We spend a large portion of our lives in bed, so making sure we have the most comfortable environment imaginable is essential. Make sure your mattress is the right thickness for your needs, and that you have pillows that suit the way you sleep. A body pillow could be a great investment if you want to take all of the pressure off your joints as you sleep. You simply sleep with one knee under and one knee over the pillow, and do the same for your arms. When you lay on the pillow, your neck should be in alignment with your spine, and your spine in alignment with your hips. This is the healthiest sleeping position.
2. Take Hot Baths With Salts
Hot baths can help to melt away pain in the body, especially if you use epsom salts designed to draw out toxins and relax the muscles. Just be aware that a hot bath could actually keep you awake before bed. A warm bath is better before bed if you’re looking to fall asleep quickly.
3. Try Using A Foam Roller
A foam roller allows you to take control of your own ‘myofascial release’ – in layman’s terms, your own massage. It isn’t quite as relaxing, and could even be a little uncomfortable at first. However, using a styrofoam roller for back pain can be very effective at helping to iron out all of those knots. Try it for a few minutes each day and you could quickly notice a difference.
4. Incorporate Healthy Supplements
Healthy supplements (alongside a balanced diet, of course) could help to give you some release. CBD, for example, is a safe supplement that could help you to feel way more relaxed and relieve some of your pain. Muscle repair and healing can also be encouraged by zinc. This is because the mineral is involved in creating new cells and cell division.
5. Stop Unhealthy Habits
Smoking and drinking to excess can both be bad for aches and pains. Adopting healthier habits, such as drinking plenty of water and getting your 5 a day will make a big difference.
6. Try Acupuncture or Acupressure
Acupuncture might seem a little strange, but many report that it makes a difference to their aches and pains. You can even purchase an acupressure matt to try it yourself at home.