5 Best Sleep Aids You May Consider Trying
Getting sound sleep is absolutely necessary for good health. It is considered that an average adult needs six hours of sleep to function properly and at full capacity, while children need eight hours of sleep for the same. At times, it is difficult to get sleep due to several reasons. You may be stressed out because of some assignment from your office. Sometimes there is too much noise or you just cannot sleep because of the ongoing thoughts. Being an insomniac, it is not healthy at all.
What is the solution?
There are several sleep-aid supplements available in the market today which can help you get the sleep you deserve and long for.
- Melatonin
Melatonin sleep aid is a great option, which is found naturally in the body. When used in the medicinal form, it is synthesized in a laboratory and is available in the pill form.
Valerian is a herb; it has been in use for hundreds of years and primarily treats nervousness and headaches. It is also known to aid in one’s sleep and improves the restfulness of the process. This option may not be as effective and well-studied as melatonin, but it is definitely worth a shot.
Magnesium is one of the best sleep aids available in the market. Not only is it natural, but is also highly effective. It is important for the healthy functioning of both the brain and the heart. Magnesium helps to keep the mind quiet and calm and makes it easier to fall asleep. It also increases brain levels of gamma-aminobutyric, an acid which acts as a messenger to the brain with calming effects. The lower the levels of magnesium in the body, the likelihood of sleep-related problems increases. Increasing its intake by taking supplements may just be the solution to getting sound sleep!
Lavender is a widely known element with wonders found across the globe. The purple flowers, when dried, can be used for a variety of purposes. One of these includes inducing sound sleep. Lavender is one the best sleep aids available amidst nature. Its soothing fragrance is known to enhance sleep. Studies have shown that simply smelling lavender oil for half an hour before sleep can induce sleep and improve its quality as a whole! This is best for those suffering from mild insomnia. A study among the geriatric population concluded that this therapy is as effective as conventional sleep supplements available in the market.
Available widely in the form of tea, chamomile is very effective in ensuring a peaceful and uninterrupted night’s sleep. It is a traditional herbal remedy and you can consume a cup of chamomile tea just before going to sleep, for great results. Tea made of chamomile, passion flower, and valerian can also work wonders, as they have a relaxing effect and can soothe the nerve cells in your brain.
Buying or implementing sleeping aids is not a matter of shame or apprehension in any way. You can either buy the supplements available in the market in the form of various pills or try some of the easier ways out like smelling lavender oil before sleeping, at your home itself. People may say that sleeping aids are harmful to health and they do you no good. But this is only true when you consume them in large quantities and make them the sole path toward a sound sleep. They are supplements which can be used occasionally if you cannot get sound sleep. Try out some of the best sleep aids mentioned in the above list and feel free to consult a doctor in case you are suffering from other severe conditions.
