The Best Sleep Supplements for Getting a Better Night’s Rest
When it comes to the topic of natural sleep aids, it gets rather confusing, doesn’t it? What works, and what does not? Are they safe? There are so many questions when you think of natural sleep supplements. Sleep is important as it is when your body repairs and heals itself and rejuvenates. When you do not get enough proper sleep, it affects your health, making you more prone to health issues. This is why you should find a good sleep supplement if you cannot sleep or do not get enough sleep. Luckily, there are quite a few excellent sleep supplements that can help you get the restful sleep you need.
Here is a look at some of the best sleep supplements that you can use to get better sleep and wake up every morning feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, ready to take on the world:
Multivitamin: Do you know that nutrition plays a vital role in fighting insomnia and other sleep problems? Most people do not eat the right amounts of fruits and vegetables every day to give their body the nutrients it needs. Fact: shortage in nutrition can affect sleep and leave you feeling fatigued. You should take a good multivitamin daily to improve your ability to sleep and get the night’s rest your body needs.
Calcium and Magnesium: Your daily diet should have adequate amounts of calcium and magnesium as they are important nutrients that help you relax and ensure that you get a good night’s sleep. Magnesium may be particularly helpful in stress and fatigue reduction. Multivitamins do not contain much of these two nutrients so you may need to take a supplement if you lack these two essential nutrients in your diet. You should also make sure that you get a minimum of 400 IU of Vitamin D3 daily. This vitamin plays a critical role in the absorption of calcium in your body.
Melatonin: This is a natural hormone that helps in regulating your sleep-wake cycle, also known as circadian cycles. According to studies, melatonin does not only help some people fall asleep, but it also enhances sleep quality. Experts say that it comes in two forms – immediate release and extended release. If you have difficulty falling asleep, the immediate release may be the better option to take before bedtime. For those who tend to wake up in the middle of the night, extended relief may be better. Melatonin supplements can also be an effective treatment for certain sleep disorders, including jet lag.
Kava: A member of the pepper family, the Kava plant has been shown to help in relieving anxiety. A review of six studies showed that patients who took Kava showed reduced anxiety compared with patients who took a placebo. According to another small study, Kava helps in improving sleep in people suffering from stress-related insomnia. However, it is important to consult a doctor before using Kava supplements to find out if it is safe for you as the FDA has issued a warning that there is a link between this supplement and the risk for severe liver damage.
Passion Flower: As you may already know, passion flower has a wide range of health benefits, including calming and anti-anxiety effects. Anxiety can have a major effect on sleep as you are unable to turn your brain off, in particular when you are trying to get some rest. Passion flower supplement is great as it can have a calming effect that helps in stopping that vicious cycle of thought. It has been found that passionflower is one of the most effective natural anti-anxiety sleep aids that do not result in lingering fatigue the next day.
St. John’s Wort: Do you have trouble sleeping due to depression? St. John’s Wort supplements may be the solution to your problem. According to recent studies, this herb contains chemicals like adhyperforin and hyperforin which act as small messengers in the brain that affect mood and work as effective and powerful antidepressants. If it is your depression that is keeping you from sleeping or getting a full night of restful sleep, it may be worthwhile to try out St. John’s Wort supplements to treat the depression. If it works, you may be able to get the rest and sleep that your body and mind need.
While many people use over-the-counter sleep aids to help them with their sleep problems, they do not realize that these OTC products may cause serious side effects in the long run and over time, lose their effectiveness. Natural sleep supplements like the ones mentioned above are safer and better options, plus they work very well in treating various sleep disorders, helping you sleep better and thereby improving your health.