All of us have had this problem. You had a hard day at work or playing with the kids and are exhausted, but your mind is still in overdrive, so what do you do? You reach for a night time sleep aide and read the label which directs you not to take this product unless you are able to get eight or more hours of sleep. Unfortunately you have already spent hours staring at the ceiling hoping to drift off into dreamland. So what do you do when you have run out of options and nothing seems to work?
Here are some natural sleep aides that have been found to work for people to help them catch those zzzzs:
- Lemon Balm Tea
- This is an ancient remedy that can be done by soaking the leaves in a cup of hot water for 5-10 minutes.
- If lemon balm doesn’t trip your trigger, chamomile is also a tea that is pre- packed and available on your nearest grocer’s shelf.
- Carbohydrates and Protein
- We have all heard the old wives tale to drink a glass of warm milk if counting sheep fails, but instead try a bowl of organic milk and whole grain cereal to push away those sleepy time blues.
- Fish
- Shrimp, Cod, Tuna, and Halibut contain tryptophan which can help to induce sleep.
- Cherries
- In a recent study participants who drank 8 ounces of tart cherry juice in the morning and then drank an additional 8 ounces before bed, reported getting better sleep.
- Cherries contain melatonin a substance that makes you sleepy, so if you prefer not to drink the juice, try a cup of them before bedtime.
If you don’t want to eat or drink before going to bed, try these other remedies to help you get some shut eye:
- Exercise
- After 30 minutes of physical activity your blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing slow down making your body think it is sleepy time.
- Lavender
- This is a no brainer, Egyptians knew the effect of this powerful essence, and its soothing nature still works today.
- Put on Socks
- Warming up your feet can widen your blood vessels causing a cooling effect to the rest of your body.
Do you have another method you use to help you fall asleep? Have you tried any of these solutions before? Have they worked? The next time I am not able to drift away, I am going to try the lavender. I love that smell and if it’s beneficial too, it serves a dual purpose!
Resources:
health.msn.com
Prevention Magazine