Natural Ways To Aid Sleep

Many people will experience sleep issues at some point in their lives. Sometimes it is easy to tell what is causing restless nights – it could be due to stress, being ill, or a change in environment or routine, and your body and mind just need a helping hand to relax. If this is the case, there are plenty of herbal, organic and natural methods you can look into to ease yourself back into regular nights of deep sleep.

A Calming Cuppa

Many people head straight to the kettle if they need a moment’s relaxation – but while it can provide a useful break in the middle of a long day, a cup of tea can also be ideal a few hours before bed to get your body to prepare for sleep. There are plenty of blends that are perfect for a night-time hot drink. Look out for chamomile, which contributes to reducing anxiety and is naturally caffeine free. Some blends make specific ‘sleep’ blends or infusions – such as Dr Stuart’s or Clipper. Keep a box by the kettle and make your night-time tea part of your nightly routine to encourage your brain and body to begin winding down before you hit the hay. You can find the above four blends and all of our teas here.

Bath before Bed

Just as a hot drink can induce feelings of calmness and serenity, a hot bath as part of your before-bed routine can work wonders in setting you up for a deep sleep. This can be enhanced by incorporating different herbal ingredients in your bathroom products. As we’ve already mentioned, chamomile is a great one to look out for due to its calming effects, and lavender is another herb that is famous for its restful properties. Weleda’s Lavender Relaxing Bath Milk is great to pour into your bath, as is our own Soothing Bath Oil from our Synergy range. Light one of our Lavender and Chamomile aroma candles for your soak in the tub and you’ll emerge from the bathroom more than ready for your forty winks.

Sleep Easy Supplements

Valerian is a herbal medicine that has been linked to aiding sleep, as well as reducing mild anxiety and stress symptoms. Taken in capsules or drops, it has been recommended for those who are struggling to get some solid shut-eye as a natural alternative to sleeping pills. You can find all our valerian products here – and there is plenty of choice as to how you can take it. Available in power, root, capsule, oil or tincture form, as well as combined into a tea blend, you can find a way to incorporated it into your daily routine before bed. If you’re unsure on which option would be best for you, or indeed how to use essential oils, roots, powders or tinctures, we would be more than happy to advise – send us a message on Twitter or Facebook or give us a call!

Eat Well, Sleep Well

Finally, your diet can also have a huge impact on the quality of your sleep. In order to get a restful night, foods that have high levels of tryptophan are ideal. In the body, tryptophan can contribute to the creation of serotonin – a brain chemical which encourages rest and relaxation. Choose oats, peanuts, bananas and poultry for this effect.

Seeds are another great choice for a basket full of snooze foods. High in magnesium, they work to prevent insomnia. Other magnesium-rich foods include spinach, fish and wholegrains.

Finally, foods high in calcium also contribute to aiding sleep, this time via melatonin – another naturally occurring substance that encourages restfulness. The old ‘warm glass of milk before bed’ wives’ tale has more evidence than you might have thought!

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