Natural Sleep Remedies
Getting a good night’s sleep is essential for our health and well-being. Sleep quality can be enhanced with the use of a variety of natural sleep aids that support the release of natural relaxing hormones.
We spoke with qualified Naturopath and Nutritionist Helen Ridge, the founder of Alive Natural Health. Helen develops health and wellness programs, taking a modern approach to a healthy lifestyle and infusing evidence-based practices with traditional therapies. These are her insights on natural remedies for deep sleep.
Hormones and Sleep
When it comes to getting a good night’s sleep, you don’t typically think of your body’s hormones. Sleep allows many of our hormones to replenish so we can enjoy the benefits of optimal energy, along with boosted immunity, a balanced appetite and an increased ability to adapt to stress. Hormones also control many of the body’s processes including: growth, development, reproduction, stress response, metabolism and energy balance; so replenishing our hormones is important for a healthier life.
Understanding the connection between hormones and sleep may help improve our sleep and overall well-being. For example, when we are stressed, we release the hormone cortisol, which makes us feel alert and ready for action. It’s been found that this hormone tends to be higher in people with insomnia. If we get less sleep than normal, our levels of prolactin may also get out of balance and we can wake up with a faded immune system, difficulty concentrating and carbohydrate cravings.
5 Natural Sleep Tips
There are many reasons people have trouble sleeping – from poor sleep hygiene (eg, poor choice of pillow, an old or unsupportive mattress, or a room that is too cold or warm) to shift work, from caffeine to anxiety, medical conditions and breathing disorders (such as sleep apnea).
Whatever your reason to want to improve your sleep, below are some natural remedies for deep sleep.
Natural Sleep FAQs
Does magnesium help with sleep?
Watch the sunset or walk under the stars to remind the brain and pineal gland that it’s time to rest, repair and sleep. The pineal gland resides in the brain and produces melatonin, a hormone that modulates our sleep patterns and our sleep/wake cycles. The melatonin hormone is released with darkness and tells our body it’s time to sleep. This is why bright light before bed (including the blue light from our mobile phone) can affect our sleep and stop the release of melatonin.
What is the most effective natural sleep aid?
We believe the foundation to a good night’s sleep is having a supportive and comfortable bed. To further enhance your sleep, natural sleep aids include getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet rich in antioxidants and aromatherapy.
What is the home remedy for sleeplessness?
Understanding the connection between hormones and sleep can be key to improving sleeplessness. For example, when we are stressed, we release the hormone cortisol, which makes us feel alert and ready for action. In this situation, the best home remedy might be to engage in a stress relieving activity before bed such as meditation or exercise.