Tired But Wired at 11pm?
Why your body won't power down — and how to help your nervous system find the off switch.
Insomnia is rarely about the mattress — it's usually a nervous system stuck in 'go' mode from stress, screens, or physical tension. Calming that system down, not just trying harder to sleep, is the actual fix.
What's Actually Going On
Insomnia usually isn't a mattress problem. It's a nervous system that's stuck in 'on' — stress hormones still circulating, muscles still guarded, brain still scanning for the next thing to handle. You can be exhausted and unable to sleep at the same time because being tired and being able to relax are two different systems.
The Nervous System Connection
Your nervous system runs on two main settings: sympathetic ('go') and parasympathetic ('rest and digest'). Chronic physical tension — especially through the neck, shoulders, and upper back — keeps feeding signals into the 'go' side. Reducing that physical stress load is one lever (among several) for helping your system shift toward the settings that actually let you fall and stay asleep.
Five things, in order.
- Same bedtime and wake time, even on weekendsYour nervous system regulates on consistency, not on how tired you feel any given night.
- Screens off 60 minutes before bedBlue light and doom-scrolling both keep the 'go' system engaged right when you need the opposite.
- A 5-minute wind-down routineSlow breathing, gentle stretching, or just sitting somewhere dim. The routine matters more than what's in it.
- Get consistently adjustedReducing physical stress load through the spine and nervous system is one input into a body that can actually downshift at night.
- Morning sunlight, 10 minutesSets your circadian rhythm for the day, which makes the evening wind-down easier.
Nutrition & Supplement Support
Categories we typically discuss for sleep support:
- Magnesium glycinate — commonly used to support relaxation before bed
- L-theanine — calm-without-sedation support
- Ashwagandha — adaptogen support for chronic stress load
- Melatonin — short-term use for shifting sleep timing
Dr. Lamson is a Fullscript-affiliated practitioner. Purchases made through this link may earn Z Chiropractic a commission at no extra cost to you. These are general categories for education, not a personalized prescription — dosing and brand should be confirmed with Dr. Lamson or your physician, especially if you take other medications.
Quick answers before you book.
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