As we’ve all experienced at one point or another, sleep doesn’t always come easily. Some nights it takes hours of tossing and turning to fall asleep, or you’re waking up every hour. And aside from being frustrating, inadequate amounts of sleep can have serious negative impacts on your overall health. Given the global health crisis we’re all facing, health is top of mind for everyone and we’re all looking for ways to boost immunity—and getting enough sleep is one of the most vital factors. There are many other reasons that sleep is so important, aside from keeping your immune system in check: It balances your hormones, stabilizes your mood, improves brain function, and rejuvenates your skin—which means there are so many reasons to prioritize getting enough sleep.
But what is there to do when insomnia strikes?
Insomnia can be caused by a myriad of things, from caffeine to alcohol to medications to allergies and back pain (which makes getting to the root of the problem somewhat difficult).
Luckily there are many natural sleep remedies to help you relax and drift off when you’re having one of those restless nights. Below are 6 of the best (and easiest!) solutions to combat insomnia naturally and help you get the sleep you need for optimal health.
Aromatherapy: Scents like lavender and valerian are known for their relaxing properties, so adding one of these essential oils to a diffuser or humidifier before bed is calming.
Meditation: Whether it’s practicing stillness, mindful breathing or some light yoga and stretching, meditation in any form helps clear your mind and put your body at ease.
Journaling: Writing down your thoughts in a notebook or journal before bed is a great way to empty your brain and create room for rest.
A hot bath or shower: Warm water helps reduce stress, so a nice hot bath or shower before bed will put your body in relaxation mode almost instantly.
Tea: Warm tea before bed is ultra-soothing, and blends like Chamomile calm your nerves and promote relaxation.
Tinctures & Supplements: Taking supplements like magnesium or adaptogens like ashwaganda are known to reduce cortisol and help your body calm down. Tinctures like CBD can also be added to water or tea for a boost of relaxation.
What’s your favorite natural sleep remedy? Let us know in the comments below!
