8. Pacing Your Day: The Role of Scheduling
Your daily schedule can influence more than just your productivity; it can also impact your propensity for bruxism. The key lies in pacing your day to include relaxation breaks, evenly distributed activities, and consistent bedtime rituals.
Most people ignore the significance of ‘wind-down’ time before bed. By creating a relaxation ritual, you program your body to transition from the high-stress activities of the day to a calm, bruxism-free sleep. This could be as simple as reading a non-stimulating book or engaging in a mild physical activity like walking.
Some may find value in adopting the Pomodoro Technique during work hours. This involves working in blocks of time, usually 25 minutes, followed by a five-minute break. During these breaks, consciously relax your jaw muscles. This practice could prevent jaw tension from accumulating and carrying over into your sleep.
One can also consider meal timing. Eating heavy meals too close to bedtime can disrupt sleep patterns and may even aggravate bruxism. Light snacks, preferably those that promote relaxation like chamomile tea, could be a better option.(8)
