Do you have trouble sleeping? I do. and I have several friends who struggle as well. It seems I can’t quite turn my brain off. The house is finally quiet and I can think – and so I do – but I can’t stop. Sometimes I just have trouble falling asleep, and sometimes I just can’t seem to get into a deep, restful sleep. If you struggle too – here are a few natural remedies that you can try.
- Essential oils: Lavender and Chamomile are excellent choices to use as a sleep aid. I have a mixture of them in a bottle by my bed – I rub some on my wrists and neck every night. You’ll find that Chamomile is a little pricey, but it lasts a long time because you only need a drop or two.
- Warm bath: It’s difficult to fall asleep when you are cold. Your body can’t relax. A warm bath will relax muscles and increase circulation warming you up so you can drift off.
- Full Belly: You’ll read in a lot of places that you shouldn’t eat right before bed. Perhaps that is true for some people. I like to eat a small snack though, because it is very hard for me to fall asleep if I am hungry. I sleep more soundly as well. Just remember to eat something sensible – like a piece of whole grain bread with peanut or almond butter, or a handful of almonds. Combine that with a warm cup of Chamomile tea and you should be good to go.
- Distraction: Since I have trouble turning my mind off – I often listen to something to keep my brain occupied long enough for me to fall asleep. Music doesn’t work for me – it’s not distracting enough. I need to focus on other people talking – like a movie or tv show. I have a small portable dvd player that I hook headphones into – I close it and it will continue to run so I don’t bother my hubby with the bright light.
- Eye Mask: Helps tell your brain – “hey, it’s dark so go to sleep”. Plus the routine of putting it on is another signal to your mind and body that it is time to turn off.
I hope you find these helpful. If any of you have tips for finding dreamland, please share in the comments!
jessica
