Effective Natural Sleep Aids For A Good Night’s Rest

It seems the whole world is stressed and suffering from a lack of sleep. With the scary side-effects of prescription sleeping medications, natural sleep aids are more sought after than ever. We share some of the best solutions for a good night’s sleep.

Effective natural sleep aids make those nights of counting sheep a distant memory. The source of sleeplessness may be stress, illness, pain, or even troubled thoughts. No matter the source, we all experience nights when we can’t sleep.

The natural sleep rhythm of the body is called the circadian rhythm. The only time the body performs repair and maintenance is when we sleep.  Recuperative sleep is necessary for health and well-being. When we don’t get proper sleep, our physical and mental health suffer.

Natural Sleep Aids

How Much Sleep Do You Really Need?

A minimum of eight hours is ideal. I know some people who say, “I don’t need eight hours, I only need seven. I do just fine.” Maybe so, for now, but it’s scientifically proven it takes an eight-hour period of sleep for the body to fully perform the necessary tasks of repair and maintenance.

Sleeplessness is an epidemic in our country. I know you’ve seen commercials for prescription sleep aids. Have you listened to all the side effects? Is it any wonder there is so much interest in natural sleep aids?

There’s a long list of natural sleep aids, but I can only share those we use and can say work for us. Before I share them with you, I have to tell you I’m not a doctor, nor am I making a prescription.

You alone are responsible for the health and well-being of your family. Sadly, our American society makes it impossible for me to just share what I’ve experienced with you without making a disclaimer.  

50-70 million Americans struggle with sleep related problems – American Sleep Apnea Foundation

CBD Softgels with Melatonin

I have suffered from sleep issues since menopause set in a year and a half ago. I have tried all kinds of different things and while the other remedies in this article were beneficial, the physical changes in my body kept them from working as efficiently as they had in past.

I was introduced to CBD with Melatonin by Joy Organics and thought I should try it. As a retired nurse, I knew the many benefits of CBD oil.

From the first night I took one, I knew they were different. By the third night, I was sleeping the whole night. If you have experienced sleepless nights, you understand the joy and thankfulness I felt at having a full night’s sleep.

I planned to try them for a full month to be sure, but by the second week, I knew I had found a solution that worked for me. I’ve taken a full month’s worth now and can say they have been a life saver (sleep saver) for me.

• Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in your brain
• Helps to regulate your body’s circadian rhythm to manage your natural sleep cycle
• Melatonin can be taken in doses of 0.5–10 mg per day
• The FDA considers melatonin a dietary supplement. Note, it is not approved by the FDA but rather regulated by the FDA

Relaxing Lavender Tea

To make lavender tea, I use organic lavender flowers. If you like a stronger flavored tea, as I do, use 2 teaspoons of lavender flowers in 6 to 8 ounces of boiling water.

If you prefer a weaker tea, use 1 teaspoon of lavender flowers.

• Place the lavender flowers in the infusion ball of your choice and put it in your cup.
• Pour boiling water into the cup and cover it.
• Let it steep for 6 – 10 minutes.
• Remove the infusion ball and add the sweetener of your choice. I don’t like a very sweet tea so I only add one-half teaspoon of organic honey.

It’s important to cover any tea you make while steeping. This keeps the health benefits from escaping with the steam.

Essential Lavender Oil

I use Lavender oil to create a calm, relaxing atmosphere in our bedroom. I do this in a few different ways.

I pour a little lavender oil in the palm of my hand, rub them together, and wipe them over our sheets and pillowcases. Allow the oils to dry before you lie down.

A diffuser is a perfect way to have the calming scent of lavender fill the air. They can be inexpensive and there are even diffusers available for the car

I make a spray I use as an air freshener and fabric spray.

• I mix 6 ounces of water, 2 tablespoons of witch hazel, and 25 to 35 drops of lavender oil in a glass spray bottle.
• You could use a plastic spray bottle.
• Shake well before each use to combine. 
• Mist the air and bedding. Be sure the sheets are dry before you lie down.  

Epsom Salt with Essential Oils

Almost every home in the U.S. has Epsom salt in it. There are so many benefits and uses. I don’t believe we even know all of them. It’s an excellent natural sleep aid.

• Add 1 cup Epsom salt to a tub of the warmest water you can stand.
• Now add 15 to 20 drops of lavender oil and 10 to 15 drops of rosemary oil.
• Take deep breaths as you climb in.
• Inhale the relaxing, calming scent of the oils for maximum benefit.

Valerian Root

Have you smelled Valerian root? Shew! It smells like stinky feet to me. As a natural sleep aid, valerian is effectively used in a few forms.

• You can buy it in capsule form.
• You can also buy valerian powder and make your own capsules. S
• ome people mix valerian with their tea or warm milk.

Now, I’ve not tried it in tea or milk. I just can’t get past the smell. I do have a couple of friends who add it to their chamomile tea and swear by it. We use it in capsule form.

Calming Chamomile Tea

Best known for its calming effects, chamomile is an effective natural sleep aid.

I enjoy chamomile tea made with organic chamomile flowers, but my favorite way to drink it is to mix it with lavender flowers. The smell alone is calming and relaxing.  

To make chamomile tea

• Put 1 teaspoon chamomile flowers in your favorite infuser.
• Pour 6 to 8 ounce of boiling water over the tea, cover and steep for 5 minutes.
• You can sweeten your tea with what you prefer. I use 1/2 teaspoon raw, organic honey, if I sweeten it at all.

To make a strong chamomile-lavender tea, the way I prefer it

• Put 3/4 teaspoon chamomile and 1 teaspoon lavender in your infuser.
• For a weaker tea, use 1/2 teaspoon chamomile flowers and 1/2 teaspoon lavender flowers.
• Then steep for 5 minutes and sweeten as you like.

Warm Milk Works

We’ve heard it all our lives, but have you tried it? It does work.

Warm milk contains tryptophan, the same amino acid as the Thanksgiving turkey which makes you so sleepy! It’s important to not boil the milk, just heat it. We are also concerned with buying the healthiest milk available.

It’s not just the tryptophan that helps warm milk work. It takes large doses to work by itself. With warm milk, a psychological influence is involved.

Milk is associated with the love and care of a mother. For this reason, it brings us comfort and, for some, warm memories.

Since these subconscious influences are part of our genetic makeup, the effects are the same regardless of our childhood experiences.

Comfort and relaxation stimulate the secretion of serotonin by the brain. Serotonin brings us feelings of relaxation and well-being. In turn, this brings us restful sleep. 

On the physical side, warm milk warms the stomach which relaxes and warms the body. The warming of the body relaxes our muscles. As our muscles relax, our body systems slow down. This slowing down is natural as the body prepares to enter its repair and maintenance mode. 

I buy my teas, flowers, essential oils, and tea infusers from Mountain Rose Herbs.

Tips to Avoid Sleepless Nights

• Turn on soft, relaxing music, while sipping on the teas or warm milk. 
• Avoid watching television, working on the computer, or any other electronic device for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before going to bed. Your natural circadian rhythm is disrupted by the stimulation of the blue light.
• Having a bedtime routine is the best thing you can do to ensure a restful night’s sleep. By performing the same routine every evening, your body becomes queued. Once the habit is formed, your body will know when you perform your routine it’s time to sleep and take care of itself.
• Do 5 – 10 minutes gentle, relaxing stretches just before going to bed.
• Remove alarm clocks, cell phones, nightlights, any source of light in your bedroom. You can place your alarm clock in another room or you can place your clock face down so the light isn’t shining in the room.
• Wi-fi signals in your home should be turned off when you’re sleeping. If you choose to leave your router on, don’t leave your cell phone beside the bed. Wi-fi signals are proven to disturb the body’s natural rhythm as they penetrate the body.
• If you want to read before bed, read a paper book, not your electronics.
• Play nature sounds, white noise, or relaxing music while you drift off to sleep. You can set it on a timer or let it play all night.

I hope these natural sleep aids allow you to avoid sleepless nights.

As always, we’re here to help. Sweet Dreams