Body aches are a common amongst adults these days. They can result from fatigue or exercise, but they can also be a symptom of an underlying medical condition. While body aches are usually an inconvenience more than a harmfulness to your health, it is important to treat it to feel energised and well rested. Here are 3 tips for body ache relief:

1. Get Proper Rest

Scientist have found that people who experience chronic pain often experience insomnia too. This research supports that finding. Over time, not getting proper sleep can lead to exhaustion, causing you to feel body aches, stiffness and sluggish. Lack of sleep also affects the body’s ability to repair tissues and cells. It’s important to get at least 8 hours of sleep daily (or as close to 8 hours as you can) so that your body has sufficient time to recuperate and prevent sickness and body aches.

To achieve this, get around to plan your sleep schedule and take it more seriously. Priority is key here. You might have set an alarm to wake up but you should also set a sleep schedule (using your smartphone) to remind your to sleep at a certain time to get that 8 hours of rest. It’s also important to remember that even though you’re on the bed for 8 hours does not mean that you’re getting 8 hours of rest.

2. Make Yourself Comfortable While Sleeping

Following the first tip, you should always make sure you’re getting quality sleep. Keep yourself hydrated before going to bed, but not over hydrated to avoid waking up in the middle of the night to use the restroom. Dim the lights before sleeping so that you eyes can adjust to the darkness earlier, making falling asleep easier if you’re experiencing sleep deprivation or insomnia.

Some people also use a therapeutic weighted blanket to make themselves feel more comfortable during sleep and avoid disturbance in the wee hours, disrupting their sleep cycle. Weighted blankets are intentionally heavier blankets designed to improve your sleep quality. These weighted blankets are best known to provide a therapeutic effect similar to giving a someone a hug, it will stimulate the release of oxytocin “a happiness hormone” in the brain. This hormone creates a sense of calm and well-being also helping to reduce levels of cortisol "a stress hormone".

Most commonly used by individuals suffering from sleep deprivation, stress, or anxiety, research has shown that using a therapeutic weighted blanket can help with sleep deprivation and insomnia to improve your sleep quality.

3. Stretching Before Sleep

Stretching before you go to bed every night will help relax your muscles and get your body ready for a higher quality of sleep at night. This proven method also helps keep your natural sleep cycle throughout the night so you will wake up feeling rested. We would recommend at least 10 to 15 minutes of stretching every night before you go to bed, best paired with a cup of hot drink.

While it’s different for every individual, we recommend trying these tips out and find one that is most suitable for your sleeping routine. Once you’ve figured out what works best for you, you will find that your sleep quality will significantly increase and you will feel more rested after a good night’s sleep.