Natural sleep aids - eat your way to better sleep

They say we spend ⅓ of our lives in bed, but how much of that are we actually getting good sleep? It’s not often talked about that what  we eat and drink impacts the quality of our sleep. Certain foods can be used as natural sleep aids due to their nutritional composition that mimic the functions of sleeping pills. If you often find yourself tossing and turning in bed, consider adding some of these foods into your diet and see how your body responds.

Almonds

Not something that you would have imagined to find on a list of foods that promote sleep, but these nutrient dense nuts are great for your sleep cycles. Packed with calcium and magnesium, both of which are known to be essential for relaxation and recovery, almonds are up there on the list of natural sleep aids. Perfect as a bedtime snack, have a handful of almonds before you wind down. Just remember to eat them raw or roasted, without any added sodium or sugar. 

Cheese

Cheese and a good night’s sleep? Count us in. Cheese is a natural sleep aid as it is rich in tryptophan, an amino acid required to produce a neurotransmitter serotonin. Our body naturally produces serotonin and it is what gives us that relaxed, sleepy feeling. Go for the natural, unprocessed cheeses before you hit the hay. 

Salmon

If you love fish, you’re in for a treat. Docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, is a type of omega-3 fat that is found in salmon. Research shows low levels of the omega 3 DHA cause melatonin deficiency, making the fish a natural sleep aid that can help you get a better night’s sleep. There are plenty of other reasons to eat salmon - it also fights inflammation, reduces risk for heart disease, and supports muscle recovery after exercise. We love it grilled on a pan or baked in the oven; serve it on top of a salad for an extra healthy dinner. Other fish such as tuna, sardines, and mackerel are also rich in omega 3 fatty acids and they work as great alternatives to salmon. 

Cherries

Melatonin is a hormone that is produced by the pineal gland at night that helps you go to sleep and stay asleep - it is responsible for controlling the sleep-wake cycle in humans. Cherries are the only commonly available source of melatonin found in food, so be sure to add it on your next shopping list. Have a bowl of fresh cherries before bed and you’ll find yourself dozing off on the couch.

Low-fat milk

Low-fat milk is known to keep uncomfortable heartburn at bay. A high protein and low carb diet keeps acid reflux, one of the major causes of sleep disturbances, in check. Also, milk is a good source of calcium that supports the production of melatonin.

Bananas

Bananas have everything going for them - from helping with asthma to boosting your memory, it is a globally popular food that is delicious and nutritious. Its potassium and magnesium content are what make the fruit a natural sleep aid, along with carbs and tryptophan that are also known to make you dozy.

Sleep supplements

Eating the right and good quality foods is important to living a healthy life. A healthy life includes consistent, quality sleep. Sometimes, despite all your efforts to eat the right foods and good quality foods, you just need a quick solution that doesn’t take much effort.  If you don’t have the luxury to constantly go to the grocery store or if you suffer from a chronic illness, resorting to OTC medicines and prescription drugs becomes the easier option.

Sleeping pills might help in the short term, but they have adverse effects on your health in the long run. Natural herbs for sleep, on the other hand, do not cause any harm to your body and have the better results as these synthetic medications.

Chill Pill is a non-GMO supplement that’s free of artificial flavors and colors. It is made with all-natural ingredients that help your body get the rest it deserves sans the side effects that prescription drugs have, both short-term and long-term.

• GABA is an amino acid naturally produced in the brain that mimics the sleep-inducing effects of melatonin, helping your body and brain shift into recharge mode.
• Jujube is known for its nourishing effects on the body and mind; rich in Vitamin C, it is used to manage stress and anxiety.
• Poria is known to curb insomnia, tension, and fluid retention.

Take 3 capsules 30 minutes before bedtime and you will wake up feeling refreshed and ready for the day.

Take kaer.