Seven Natural Health Products That Can Improve Sleep

Seven Natural Health Products That Can Improve Sleep

Sleep.  That time when our bodies heal and rejuvenate.  Sleep is an essential part of health, but for many it’s elusive.  We toss and turn at night with no end in sight, and spend the next day fatigued and exhausted.

There are a number of prescription products available on the market to help with sleep, but these can often leave us groggy the next day (and in short, they are just not good for you).  That’s why it’s important to take a look at natural remedies that can help improve our sleep patterns, allowing us to get that restful sleep we so desperately need.

Read on to learn about some great natural methods and products that can help you get a good night’s sleep.

Tryptophan

We’ve all probably heard that eating before we go to bed can be disruptive to our sleep pattern.  However, a small after dinner snack can help, especially if you are ingesting a food that contains tryptophan.

Tryptophan is an amino acid that gets the brain into a relaxed state.  It can be found in carbohydrates like 100% whole grain oats, brown rice, corn, and quinoa. Go organic when possible.

Calcium

Livestrong.com recommends calcium as a natural health sleep aid.  The mineral not only helps protect against bone loss, but also contains tryptophan.  Those with low calcium levels are subject to disturbed sleep patterns and a lack of REM sleep.

Magnesium

Magnesium can have a calming effect, especially when taken with calcium for added absorption.  Foods such as spinach, pumpkin seeds, and dark chocolate are rich in magnesium and can provide a better, more consistent sleep.  Again, go organic when you can.

Essential Oils

There are several essential oils that have a calming effect. Although mostly used in aromatherapy, they can also be applied directly to the skin.  According to The Prairie Homestead, different essential oils may have different results, so it may be best to experiment before finding one that works best for you.  However, some recommended oils include bergamot, lavender, sandalwood, frankincense, and mandarin.

Valerian Root

Valerian root works by increasing the amount of gamma aminobutyric acid in the brain, calming the nerve cells and blocking brain signals that cause anxiety.  It can be taken with chamomile in tea and is also available in capsule form.

St. John’s Wort

Often insomnia and depression go hand in hand. St. John Wort’s contains chemical like hyperforin and adhyperforin which work in the brain to fight depression and improve sleep patterns.

Passion Flower

Passion flower works to decrease anxiety and improve sleep patterns. It can be compared to the prescription drug benzodiazepine oxazepam.  While the passion flower does not work as quickly as oxazepam, it also caused fewer side effects.

Of course, these natural methods and products are most effective when combined with a healthy diet and exercise.  It’s not always easy to eat healthy, especially when eating clean tends to be more expensive.

Makeena’s free app can make buying healthy food more affordable. Simply add the products you’d be interested in purchasing to your shopping list.  If you purchase one of the participating products, all you need to do is send in proof of purchase through the app to begin accumulating your cash back.  Once you earn at least $20, you can request cash out through Paypal or Venmo.

Makeena’s app can be downloaded at any of the following links:

For iPhone

For Android

Sleep is so precious to all of us, and insomnia is a common and frustrating problem.  It is fortunate that there are a number of natural ways that can help us get a restful night’s sleep.  Explore which ones may work best for you.  Here’s to getting a great night’s sleep!

health, natural products, sleep

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