The amount of rest you get could determine not just how well you live but also how long. Who doesn’t welcome the sweet oblivion of a good night’s sleep? Unfortunately, the reality is a decent night’s rest is increasingly hard to come by because of busy lives, stress, responsibilities, and distractions like TV, the internet, and cell phones.
Sleep is the body’s opportunity to rest and repair and without adequate sleep, we pay with a shorter life span. The natural answer to getting too little sleep is to sleep more. But what do we do when we are unable to sleep?? Reaching for sleeping pills may seem like an easy answer, but incidentally, they produce a poorer-quality sleep that’s as bad as getting too little. Try a few of these simple solutions to help you get to sleep fast.
Take a hot bath. Taking a bath right before you go to bed will prepare you for sleep by relaxing your muscles. After you get out of the water your body temperature will drop, which will make you feel sleepy. Adding a couple drops of lavender essential oil can help relax your body, preparing you for a good night’s sleep.
If you don’t have time for a bath, you can always just sniff some lavender. Don’t be fooled by this flower’s pretty looks and sent, it packs a powerful sleep-inducing punch. A 2004 study by Wesleyan University found that men and women who sniffed lavender oil just before going to sleep spent more time in the deep, restful phase of sleep. Put a few drops of the oil on a tissue and place it under your pillow just before bedtime.
Drink chamomile tea. This tea has been used for centuries to help soothe the body. It’s calming properties, including a flavonoid component called chrysin, are on-the-spot sleep inducers. Drink a hot cup 30 to 45 minutes before going to bed and prepare for a restful sleep.
Try a sleep inducing, wake up feeling refreshed natural herb. Valerian helps with sleep and does not have the harmful side effects of many sleep medications. Valerian works to calm the nerves and relaxes the body. This herb is especially helpful for people who are under a lot of stress and feel they are unable to relax sufficiently for sleep.
Take your calcium before bed. Many of us take a regular regiment of calcium and magnesium every day. Calcium, magnesium and other minerals have a natural relaxing effect on the nerves, muscles and the body in general. Taking your calcium and magnesium closer to bedtime is all some people need to get them sleeping again.
Tonight get into you lavender bath with your warm cup of chamomile tea and give your “sheep” the night off.