You’ve been having a lot of trouble sleeping lately, and it’s starting to affect your work and other areas of your life. You’re not as sharp as usual, your energy is low, and it’s hard to focus. Getting enough sleep is vital in keeping your mind and body functioning properly. In fact, chronic sleep deprivation could lead to serious health issues, such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. Here are five natural supplements that might help you sleep better.
Melatonin
Melatonin is a natural hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. It’s created primarily by a part of your brain known as the pineal gland. Darkness prompts the pineal gland to produce more melatonin, signaling your body to sleep. Light reduces melatonin production, which prompts your body to prepare to wake up.
Melatonin supplements are available in pills, liquids, and chewable. The supplements can be found in both natural and synthetic forms. The natural form is produced from animals’ pineal glands. Melatonin supplements are often used for insomnia and improving sleep in different conditions—such as jet lag, adjusting to sleep-wake cycles, and work-schedule changes. Melatonin is sold over the counter at health and drugstores in the United States. Although it’s an over-the-counter supplement, you should still consult your physician before using it.
Additionally, if you feel like you’re suffering from a serious sleep disorder, you might want to visit HealthSoul. It’s is an online directory of hospitals, travel insurance, health insurance, and doctors. HealthSoul allows healthcare patients to submit reviews of providers and offer health advice to readers in their blog. There, you can find useful information about sleep disorders, locate sleep disorder specialists in your area, and read honest reviews of doctors.
Valerian Root
Valerian root is another effective natural supplement that might help you get more quality sleep. People have been using Valerian for centuries to treat anxiety and sleeplessness. It’s one of the most commonly used herbal sleep-inducing supplements in the United States and Europe. The herb comes from the root of the Valerian plant found in North America, Europe, and Asia. Valerian root is sold over the counter as a dietary supplement at drugstores, health food stores, and online shops.
It’s available in by extract, in powder or liquid form, as well as a dried herb in tea form, or in pills. Valerian root is most effective when you take it shortly before bedtime.
Magnesium
Magnesium is one of the seven vital macro-minerals that your body needs in large quantities. It helps regulate and facilitate many crucial functions in your body. However, your body doesn’t produce magnesium; it receives magnesium via magnesium-rich foods such as meat, dairy products, squash, broccoli, and other vegetables. Insomnia is a common symptom of low magnesium levels.
People who are magnesium-deficient often experience restless slumbers and awaken frequently throughout the night. Magnesium augments GABA, which induces relaxation as well as sleep. Keeping your magnesium at a healthy level could result in a deeper, more sound sleep. Magnesium supplements are available at drugstores and online. It’s important that you consult your physician before you start using magnesium as a sleep supplement.
Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is a well-known aromatherapy used to treat insomnia, anxiety, and depression. Lavender functions as an anxiolytic (an anxiety reliever) as well as a sedative that enhances relaxation and induces sleep. Several studies have revealed that smelling lavender oil for 30 minutes before bed may improve the quality of your sleep. The studies found the effect especially strong among people suffering from mild insomnia, particularly females and young individuals. You can buy lavender oil at drugstores or online.
L-theanine
L-theanine is an amino acid that’s typically found in green tea. L-theanine raises levels of the neurotransmitters GABA, serotonin, and dopamine; these brain chemicals regulate things like mood, concentration, emotions, alertness, appetite, and sleep. Augmenting the levels of these neurotransmitters promotes relaxation and can help improve the quality of your sleep. L-theanine can be found at most drugstores.
Drugstores, health stores, and online businesses looking for a dependable manufacturer of sleep-aid supplements might want to check out Makers Nutrition. It’s a business-to-business supplement manufacturing company that strives to be as customer-friendly as possible.
