4 natural sleep remedies
Simple snooze tricks
"I often have trouble getting to sleep. What can I do to prepare before bed?"
Natural living and food expert Janella Purcell offers some tips and advice:
1. Watch the sunset
In order for the sleepy hormone melatonin to be released, we need to see the day turning to night - sunset. Melatonin is released at this time and makes us sleepy. We very often don’t see the sun go down but you’ll notice a difference to your sleep if you do.
2. Avoid screens
Try to avoid using your computer or having too much stimulation a few hours before bedtime – that includes the television in the bedroom, if you have one. Also turn off any lights in the house that you’re not using.
3. Drink herbal teas
Have a herbal tea known for its sedative qualities, such as chamomile, passionflower, catnip or St Johns Wort, or something made with foods high in tryptophan – an amino acid that makes us sleepy.
Try some almond milk with a little raw honey.
4. Master the art of deep breathing
Practice deep breathing right down into your abdomen and try to bring your energy into your heart area. You can do this by looking down and within.
You might like: Why sleep is the third pillar of health or How to spot if you have fatigue
