One side effect of the Covid-19 lock-down is sleeping issues.
Call me Dr. Obvious, but sleeping is important. Creating and maintaining a regular sleeping schedule is one of the most important things you can do for your overall health. When you don’t get enough sleep, every area of your life suffers, from cognitive functions, to physical manifestations like blood pressure and heart disease.
Things are not normal right now. I say that, knowing that normal is relative. The Covid-19 lock-down has created a lot of fear, stress, anxiety, and depression.
Not knowing what is going on, or when it is going to end is very difficult for many people. Dealing with these issues every day can wreak havoc on our sleep schedule, and many people all over the world are dealing with problems like insomnia, sleep deprivation, and poor sleep schedules.
You cannot function without adequate sleep, period. So here are a few natural ways to induce slumber.
Melatonin- Arguably the most popular sleep aid, melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone, whose purpose is to tell your brain when it is time to sleep. Normally, your melatonin increases at night, and falls in the morning. You can supplement this with melatonin tablets before bed, which are available over the counter.
Magnesium- In terms of minerals, magnesium helps regulate melatonin production, and can have a calming effect on the body. Taking a magnesium supplement can not only help you sleep, but it is great for heart and brain health, too.
READ MORE: Do Senior Citizens Really Need 8 Hours of Sleep?
Lavender- Lavender has been a home remedy for sleeping since the dawn of time. It is a purple flower, whose fragrance has a relaxing effect, believed to induce sleep. Studies show that smelling lavender oil for 30 minutes will help improve your sleep, and fight insomnia. So if aromatherapy is your thing, give lavender a try.
Valerian Root- Valerian root is thought to be a natural remedy for anxiety, depression, and sleeping. It is a very common herbal supplement, and is available over-the-counter.
Tryptophan- Anyone who has ever participated in Thanksgiving knows that tryptophan is a naturally occurring amino acid, found in turkey. Taking a tryptophan supplement (as low as 1 gram per day) can help improve sleep quality, as well as duration.