Having trouble sleeping can really make for a tough situation – leaving you exhausted, off your A game and unable to relax when you’re wide awake. From over-the-counter sleeping solutions to stronger prescription medications, there are lots of solutions out there, but some of those will leave you feeling just as foggy as a lack of sleep. Before you jump to medication, here’s a look at some natural remedies for getting better sleep that just may get the job done and leaving you feeling better about what you’re putting into your body along the way.
1. Meditation or even a little pre-bed yoga sesh. Seems so basic, but proven to be pretty effective some relaxing stretches, deep breathing and peaceful meditation right before bed can help clear your mind and prepare your body for a night of good sleep.
2. Valerian. This is a pretty well-known natural remedy for improving sleep – and it’s known for actually helping to improve the quality of sleep overall. Valerian can be taken during the day or right before bed and works better when taken over a long period of time.
3. Hops. Yes, hops the stuff flower that makes beer taste so good. Just like beer makes you a little sleepy, hops will do the trick when you need to calm down and find restful sleep. Take this one right before bed for a relaxing night in dreamland.
4. Lavender. This sounds like such a nice scent to relax to, doesn’t it? A little spritz of lavender on your pillow just may provide enough relaxation to bring on the type of sleep you’re after. Known for aiding in restful sleep, it’s the perfect natural solution.
5. Wild lettuce. Sounds so simple, right? Wild lettuce is known for helping with anxiety, joint and muscle pain, headaches and works great for helping with restlessness. A wild lettuce supplement should be taken right before bed for the best effects.
6. Melatonin is a hormone found in the body that actually helps control sleep – so adding some extra melatonin as a sleep supplement may be just the solution for you. Taken right before bed, lower doses have been proven to be most effective.
7. Calcium and magnesium. Both excellent for encouraging a well-rested approach to living, the magnesium/calcium combo is even better if sleep is your main goal.
8. Stick to a sleep routine. Training your body when to sleep and when to be awake is actually the first step in getting better sleep. Try going to bed around the same time every night and waking up at the same time each morning. Sleeping until noon won’t do you any favors when you’re trying to hit the hay at night.
9. Get some exercise, daily. Adding a good cardiovascular workout to your daily routine isn’t just good for your heart health, it will promote better sleep. Two reasons to hit the gym!
Have you tried any natural remedies for getting better sleep? What worked, what didn’t?
