Question by Alexis: What are some useful natural sleep aids?
I’ve been using Melatonin tablets and Valerian Root Capsules but they aren’t working very well. I’m looking for an aid that is natural and non-habit forming. Thank you.
Best answer:
Answer by Blingha
Lavender really works. You can buy it in a spray bottle and spray it onto your pillow at night for a good night’s sleep if you want to keep away from pills.
What do you think? Answer below!
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I have done a little research on this and I came across a website that may just help you out. Now this is not my expertise so take a look into it. http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/conditionsitoq/a/Insomnia.htm
eat banana, oatmeal.and drink milk ,or a wheat bread before going to bed 3hrs before.
Sleep problems are asked regularly on Y! Answers, so i made up a compilation of things which have helped me:
Hare are some things you can do to help you get high-quality sleep:
1) Have your room as dark and quiet as possible at night. This REALLY makes a difference.
2) Drink more water than you usually do, before going to bed. I know this means you’ll probably have to get up to pee in the night, but you should be able to get back to sleep better when you have a “full tank” of water in you.. being properly hydrated really helps relax the mind, both while awake AND while asleep!!
3) Shower before going to bed, and after a while in the warm water (not too hot: this can harm your quality of sleep), give yourself a solid shot of cold water – 30 seconds or so. Then go back to warm, to get warmed up again. This sounds crazy i know, but it works!!! Do it a couple of times, but always end up with warm.
4) Even if you don’t have a shower before retiring, towel yourself off VERY well before hitting the sack. This will do two things: it will get you nice and dry, which always promotes better sleep, and it will increase your body’s ability to get rid of toxins while sleeping.
5) Shortly before going to bed, say a half an hour before or so, go for a walk in the fresh air outside. This can help relax you quite a bit.
6) Gently stretch before going to bed. This will help relax your muscles and promotes better quality sleep.
7) Don’t eat anything within a couple of hours of retiring: the energy and water used digesting food in the stomach is diverted from other places in the body, and the result is a poorer quality sleep.
Instead of just water before bed-time, why not try a relaxing herbal tea? Peppermint works well, chamomile is great, and there are “sleepy-time” brews available from some of the major brands of herbal tea makers. I like the one with the Pooh-Bear on it best.
9) Have your room cool at night: this promotes better sleep. Wear socks to bed, however – cold feet and good sleep do NOT go together, lol!
10) If you are in a place where you can open the window without letting in a lot of noise, the fresh air will help you sleep.
11) Always sleep with your mouth and nose outside of the covers. If you sleep with them under the covers, you are breathing in all the stuff you just breathed out – and this is NOT healthy!!
These are some things i have found to promote a good night’s sleep. Hope they work for you!!!
Source(s):
Lots of experience with irregular sleep patterns.
milk and dairy products i believe have trotophyn or something like that, which makes one more tired, i dont know why, also i would assume supplements that increase blood flow, maybe ginko biloba or iron…. try stretching and meditating before sleeping too
Essential oils can be used to help you get a good nights sleep. Here are some of the top essential oils which can calm and relax, helping to you to fall asleep more easily and get a good nights rest.
Lavender helps to calm the nervous system and relax the body. Lavender is used in aromatherapy to fight insomnia, anxiety, depression and fatigue.
Mandarin is a wonderful gentle oil that is popular for use with children. It helps encourage sleep by easing nervous tension and soothing irritability.
Chamomile has a good relaxing effect on the nervous system. The oil can be used as for other essential oils (see below). Alternatively try a cup of Chamonile tea about half hour before bed
Bergamot as a great stress relieving oil to help you relax. This citrus fragrance encourages restful sleep and is believed to be a natural anti-depressant.
There are a few different ways of using these essential oils to help you sleep.
- Skin application or Massage. Never apply essential oils directly on your skin, make sure to dilute in a carrier or vegetable oil. (you will need about 5 teaspoons of carrier oil for every 10 drops of essential oils) Massage the blend into feet and hands or around the neck, shoulders or upper back if you get tense in these areas.
- Bath. For an adults bath, add 4-6 drops of essential oil just before you get in and swish this around to mix well. Essential oils do not dissolve readily in water but will disperse if well mixed. Do not prepare the bath in advance as much of the volatile oil will be lost. Don’t be tempted to add more oil, even if the amount looks tiny. Essential oils are very concentrated and the number of drops suggested is more than sufficient. Allow plenty of time for a relaxing soak for at least 10 minutes, or up to 20 minutes if you can! Some of the oil will adhere to the skin and some will be inhaled as an aromatic vapour
- Inhalation: can simply add a few drops of the oil onto a tissue and tuck inside your pillow case so you will inhale the oil through the night for better quality sleep or add the essential oil to an aromatherapy vaporiser. Do not use an oil burner with a candle as it is not safe to leave this burning while you are asleep.