Some natural aids if you struggle to sleep

Sleep is so important for our wellbeing so if you are struggling you might be looking at natural aids to sleep. Despite sleep being so important for us, so many of us struggle with it. In modern day society, there are many things that can stop us from achieving good quality sleep. Whether it’s the busy pace of life, a never ending to do list, or pain and discomfort, many things can prevent us from sleeping. Thankfully, a lot of research has gone into discovering different aids that can help us to sleep. In this blog, we will discuss several natural aids that can support you to sleep, and talk through the reasons behind their benefits.

Melatonin

Melatonin is the natural hormone your body releases to help you sleep. When released by your body, it helps signal to your brain that it is time to go to sleep. The level of Melatonin released is usually influenced by the time of day and amount of daylight we are exposed to. Sometimes, our melatonin levels can be disrupted, if our daylight exposure is limited, for instance. Melatonin supplements can therefore be a great choice as a natural aid to help you sleep. This can be a particularly great remedy if you need to go against your natural sleeping pattern by working shifts or jet lag. The release of melatonin from the supplement will give the same signal to your brain that it’s time to go to sleep.

Chamomile tea or warm milk

It may sound simple, but these two home comforts can really help aid sleep if drunk on the lead up to bed. Not only are they comforting, but milk has been linked to stimulating the effects of tryptophan in the brain. This is a chemical in the body which is involved in the sleep process. Chamomile tea is also believed to be involved in the sleep process by interacting with benzodiazepine receptors in the brain. Importantly, Chamomile tea does not have any caffeine in it, which is good because this can act as a stimulant and may wake us before bed. Try to avoid caffeine heavy drinks, such as tea and coffee, before bed, and try the above drinks as natural aids to support your sleep.

Magnesium

Magnesium is an amazing mineral that contributes to many great health benefits. As a mineral, it can help with heart health and brain function. It can also help us to relax and support our sleep. Research suggests that this relaxing effect is partly due to Magnesium’s ability to regulate melatonin production. It is great at relaxing our muscles and inducing our sleep. In fact, low levels of magnesium in the body have been found to improve insomnia. Magnesium supplements can be purchased as a natural sleep aid, but it can also be found naturally in foods like bananas.

Lavender

Lavender is often associated with feeling relaxed. Its soothing fragrance is believed to support sleep. Several studies have shown that something as simple as smelling lavender oil before bed can help improve sleep quality and can help those struggling with sleep. Lavender can help improve our mental health and may settle problems such as anxiety. Mental health struggles and sleep problems are often linked. Anything you can do to help encourage positive mental health could therefore improve your ability to sleep. Buying and using natural lavender essential oils could be a great aid to help you drift off to sleep.

Exercise

Engaging in regular exercise can help aid your sleep. Research suggests that exercise can increase the amount of nourishing deep sleep you engage in throughout the night. Try to avoid exercising too close to bedtime as this may act in reverse and keep you awake. Regular exercise during the day however can be super beneficial for your wellbeing and sleep. The rule is; any activity is better than no activity, so get moving and find out what you enjoy.

Glycine

Glycine is an amino acid that is incredibly important for our nervous system. Some studies have suggested it can aid our sleep. Exactly how glycine does this is unknown, but it is believed to play a part in supporting our body temperature to lower. Our body temperature is required to drop in order for us to sleep, so it’s therefore understandable why glycine may support with sleep. Several studies have looked into the benefits of glycine and have found that it improves sleep quality – and even daytime performance – for those who are sleep deprived. Glycine supplements can be bought, but it can also be found naturally in products such as spinach and beans.

Invest in a good quality mattress

What if we told you that the mattress you choose could aid your sleep? We believe that investing in a good quality mattress made from the best natural materials can have a positive impact on your sleep. And science backs us up. Here at Ely Mattresses, we really care about our customers. Every time you get into bed, your mattress should aid you to get the absolute best quality sleep.

For more information, read about our 13 layers. If you’re ready to shop, please visit our online store.