Six Natural Sleep Remedies That Actually Work
Best Way To Cure Insomnia Naturally
Here are six natural sleep remedies that actually work. About 17 years ago, I dealt with insomnia and stress. In order for me to sleep, my doctor would prescribe Ambien. I have never been one to take prescribed medication, I knew I had to find a natural remedy. I would definitely fall asleep, but I experienced weird dreams and I was not having a restful sleep.
Valerian Root
I decided I was not going to take the prescribed sleep aid. I began to research and discovered Valerian Root was a natural sleep aid. After trying Valerian Root, I never took Ambien again. I slept well with Valerian Root and my stress was leveling out.
What is Valerian Root – Valerian is an herb. It is native to Europe and parts of Asia but also grows in North America. Medicine is made from the root. It is most commonly used for sleep disorders, especially insomnia. Valerian is also used for anxiety and psychological stress, but there is limited scientific research to support these uses.
Sleep Tea
As years passed and I would take Valerian off and on, I began to try other sleep aids. I started to drink sleep teas. Sleep teas were able to help me fall asleep and feel less stress as well. I have tried many sleep teas like Yogi Bedtime, Trader Joe’s Wellness, Celestial Sleepytime, Traditional Medicinals Nighty Nighty Valarien, and more. Some are more potent than others. I enjoy loose leaf sleep teas as well. When I drink the less potent teas, sometimes I will add two tea bags to a teacup that has about a half cup of hot water. I like to steep my tea for quite a while because I want to make sure I am getting the most of the tea.
Sleep tea ingredients – Depending on the brand of sleep tea you purchase, they may have different ingredients. One common ingredient is valerian root. These sleep teas are caffeine-free.
Magnesium Taurate
I began taking Magnesium Taurate for other reasons but discovered it was good for sleep and anxiety. The first night I took it, I slept the entire night. I could not believe it worked so well. I take it nightly. Some nights, I will have sleep tea also. This combination works well together. I have a restful, full night’s sleep.
What Is Magnesium? – Magnesium is a macro-mineral that plays key roles in mental and physical health, as well as mental and physical relaxation. Magnesium is involved in almost every system in the body. The trouble is that most of us are deficient in magnesium.
How Does Magnesium Help You Sleep?
- Magnesium helps you sleep by encouraging the healthy functioning of GABA receptors, which helps your mind stop racing and “shut off” at night so you can get the rest you need.
- Magnesium helps relax muscles so you can fall asleep more easily.
- Through its role in transporting calcium and potassium ions across cell membranes, magnesium supports healthy nerves, muscles, and heart rhythms.
- Magnesium’s role in the absorption of calcium and potassium also helps with restlessness in the legs and general aches.
- Magnesium helps regulate stress hormones so you can feel calmer and more at peace.
- Magnesium encourages healthy digestion so you may be less likely to experience gastrointestinal disturbances that could hinder sleep.
*Magnesium Taurate also plays a role in regulating blood sugar and blood pressure.
CBD Lotion
I was initially hesitant about using CBD products. When the pandemic hit, the first few months were very stressful for me. One night I found myself rubbing a dime-size amount of Batch CBD Lotion on my chest. To my surprise, I felt calm within minutes of rubbing it on my body. I soon fell asleep about a half-hour later.
Batch CBD Lotion: Calming – An all-natural skin solution boosted with CBD.
This CBD lotion uses organic aloe leaf juice and coconut oil to provide superior results. Boosted with CBD, lavender, ylang-ylang, and rooibos extract, this topical product goes toe-to-toe with established lotion brands.
- Calming lavender ylang ylang aroma, perfect for your night-time routine.
- Enriched with aloe vera and jojoba oil for smooth, consistent absorption.
- Ideal for all skin types, particularly dry skin.
- Available in a convenient travel-size tube.
- Vegan.
- Non-GMO.
- Paraben-free.
Exercise
Exercising a minimum of 30 minutes a day will help you sleep better. I try to exercise for at least an hour, along with making sure I am moving my body. To make sure I am moving my body enough, I use my Apple Watch to keep track, remind, and motivate me. For the past two months, I have been making sure I am closing all three rings by meeting my daily goals. Being active throughout the day helps me sleep better. Although it helps, I include teas or magnesium nightly.
Food – What We Eat and When We Eat
Our food choices can affect the way we sleep. Eating healthy foods can help you sleep better.
Cut Back On Sugar – Limiting sugar helps keep energy consistent throughout the day, so you can maintain other healthy habits throughout the day — and have a good night’s sleep.
Eating A Big Dinner – Eating a heavy dinner can affect your sleep also. Not only will what you impact you when you sleep, but the time you eat. For over 25 years, my family does not eat past 7:00 pm, unless we do not have any control over it. If I eat past that time, I know I am not going to have a restful sleep. If I do eat past that time, I will make a healthy food choice.
Do Have Caffeine In The Evening – Caffeine energizes us or makes us feel alert, blocking the production of the chemicals in the brain that tells our bodies to sleep — and increasing adrenaline.
Have A Healthy Diet – Research shows poor sleep patterns have been linked to eating more overall, worse diet quality, and higher rates of obesity and metabolic diseases.
