Here’s the last of these posts relating to sleep (for a while). While it’s clear that getting a good night’s sleep is essential for good health, it’s not always so easy for some people. If you’re struggling it’s a good idea to start with the suggestions in my last post.
But remember that a good sleep routine starts before you get into bed. You might need to look at why your cortisol (aka stress) levels are elevated during the day and implement some changes to reduce stress (e.g. exercise in the morning, deep breathing regularly throughout the day, meditation, grounding with a swim or walk outside etc.)
I also love magnesium supplements to help with my restless legs and improve sleep. (A bath with epsom salts will help too). Some people swear by valerian root and/or chamomile. Melatonin is OK for short-term use – e.g. to help regulate your sleep cycle after jet lag. And there are always prescription drugs if your insomnia is becoming chronic or you’re going through a particularly stressful time.
If you’re still not having much luck, here are a few more ideas to help you create a nighttime wind-down routine:
30 mins before bed: Dim the lights, put away all screens
20 mins before bed: Light stretching, reading, or journaling
10 mins before bed: Deep breathing or meditation
Lights out!
Try this for a week and let me know if it helps!
