Do you sleep well at night? If not then the chances are that you are feeling drained and without energy the next day. You need sleep for your body and brain to do essential repairs and maintenance, without which you are not at your best. Before we look into lack of sleep remedies that are available, we need to understand why we don’t sleep well. Common reasons for lack of sleep are stress and depression but there are other factors which can affect your ability to have a good night’s sleep
Caffeine and nicotine are both stimulants, so having a cup of coffee and a cigarette just before you go to bed is not conducive to a good night’s sleep. Alcohol, although it can make you drowsy, then upsets natural sleep patterns as well as making you wake in the night for a drink to counteract its dehydrating effects. A stressful day can make it almost impossible to sleep as your brain turns over and over in a quest to solve your problem. On the other hand, having a nap in the day will also disrupt your ability to go to sleep at your normal time.
The best lack of sleep remedies are to relax and make yourself comfortable before you go to sleep. Try having a hot bath – the rise in body temperature and then the subsequent drop can fool the body into thinking that it is time for sleep. Make sure your bed and pillows are comfortable, and that there are no bright lights bothering you. You can even meditate to clear your mind of unwanted niggling thoughts so that you can feel calm and ready to go to sleep.
Warm milk and chamomile tea have also been hailed as good lack of sleep remedies. They both contain a chemical called Tryptophan, well known for its sedative effects. Other lack of sleep remedies include Lemongrass which contains a mild sedative, triggering the brain to release serotonin which reduces the feelings of stress and anxiety, and Essential Oil of Lavender. Essential Oil of Lavender is thought to be one of the best lack of sleep remedies because it acts upon the body’s nervous system, rather like a tranquillizer.
Essential Oil of Lavender can be used in various ways, as a herbal infusion for tea, in your bath, or in a vaporiser. You can of course obtain sleeping remedies from your doctor on prescription as well, although many people prefer to go down the natural route.
Many experts agree that some of these lack of sleep remedies should be unnecessary if we lived more healthily and did more exercise in the daytime, thus becoming more tired in the evening. Of course there are individuals who are unable to sleep because of illness or problems but in the most part experts agree that our lifestyle is to blame. Why not try going to the gym or for a run in the daytime or, if that sounds rather too energetic, a walk? You will feel happier, healthier, and lack of sleep remedies will be rendered unnecessary .
