Back in the day, when I was working in health foods stores, I was always amazed at how many people came in looking for natural ways to get a better night sleep. It seemed to me that almost every customer said the same thing; they had tried everything to help with their sleep problems and they didn’t want to be dependent on pharmaceuticals.
While there are many herbs that promote and encourage better night sleeps, there are also other sleep hacks that might help you get your zzzz’s faster. If you are having trouble sleeping; try these 3 things:
Take Ayurvedic herbs like ashwagandha and holy basil (tulsi) every night. Holy Basil can lower cortisol levels in the body, which in turn will help you to sleep better. Ashwagandha can help you to improve your sleep quality and help with the treatment of insomnia. Both of these beautiful herbs have the ability to help you adapt to stress better, which always leads to a better night sleep.
Eat breakfast before bed. Nosh on a bowl of warm oatmeal, 1 hour before bed. Oatmeal raises your blood sugar naturally which can make you feel sleepy. Not great for the day, but perfect for night. Oats are also rich in melatonin which can help the body to relax and prepare for sleep.
Cool your brain, literally. Insomnia is a hyperarousal disorder and studies have shown that using a cooling mechanism can cause the brain to relax and to slow brain activity. Goodbye annoying mental chatter. All you have to do is slip a cold, frozen compress into your pillow case before sleeping and lay your head on the pillow.
Not being able to sleep properly is debilitating and can cause long-term health problems if left unchecked. You deserve to live your best life and getting a good night’s sleep is one of the most important things you can do to stay healthy. If you are struggling with sleep issues, talk to your doctor AND also try incorporating some of these natural ways to get a better night sleep.