How I Manage My Health With Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea can take a toll on your overall health. If it goes undiagnosed, you can suffer from sleep problems, lethargy, and feeling tired all the time. Here are a few ways I manage my health with sleep apnea.

I watch my diet

We can't always eat right, but It's an important part of feeling well. Recently, I've been adding more fresh vegetables to my diet, such as salads. I try to stay away from things I shouldn't be eating. I'm limiting the amount of sugar I drink from beverages.

A proper diet can help you get better sleep as you're getting the nutrients that your body needs to function at its best. A little weight loss can also help you manage sleep apnea better as there's not as much pressure on your body as you sleep.

I use my CPAP mask

You'll never manage your sleep apnea if you don't use the tools that will help you feel better. I try to use my sleep apnea mask every night as I know this is my best shot at feeling better in the morning.

If I happen to miss a day with a mask for whatever reason, I get back to it the next night. You need to consistently use your CPAP machine or take advantage of whatever other therapy you're using for sleep apnea. These tools have the sole purpose of helping you sleep, so you feel your best.

I rest when needed

Sometimes a CPAP mask isn't enough. There are still days when I feel tired for whatever reason. I take naps when I feel that I need one. I stick to a regular sleep schedule, and that helps me feel better in the morning.

I feel my best with 6 to 8 hours of sleep, but sometimes I need more. You shouldn't ignore your body if you feel that you need sleep. My CPAP does give me way more energy than I had before, but some days I need that extra rest, so I take it.

I limit alcohol

During this pandemic, I have been guilty of drinking more than I should. I noticed that this had a detrimental effect on how I was sleeping and how I felt the next day. Drinking alcohol doesn't give you the best night's rest if you overindulge.

The problem with alcohol is that it makes me quite sleepy normally. I was coming home from beer and nachos and flopping down on the bed without putting my mask on and getting poor sleep. I find I need to limit my celebrations if I want quality sleep. For me, a couple of drinks is fine, but I watch my consumption as it can play havoc with my sleep.

I watch my stress

Stress can be a big factor in how well you sleep. Limiting stress has been difficult the past couple of years with the pandemic and the added stress of day-to-day life. I feel that hobbies can help you reduce your stress and give you something else to focus on.

I play guitar for stress relief and recently have taken up gardening. Not only does my mind focus on other things, but I also get a bit of exercise and fresh air outside. If you stress about sleep apnea, try to focus on something else to reduce your stress.

I write about sleep apnea

One of the things that has helped me deal with sleep apnea the most is writing about it. Others with sleep apnea face the same obstacles and frustrations about their condition as I do. When I write about my apnea, it helps me deal with those inner emotions that bother me from time to time.

Talking about our health issues can make managing your condition a lot easier. Try to make use of forums and group communities and talk with others about your health issues. This is one of the better ways of coping when you have a health problem.

Managing my health with sleep apnea

It's important to look after all aspects of your health if you have sleep apnea. By taking better care of yourself, you'll get better sleep, feel better, and you won't stress as much about having sleep apnea.