5 Natural Supplements to Help You Sleep Better
According to the Sleep Foundation, close to half of Americans report feeling sleepy more than three days a week. That’s a lot of tired people! This statistic could explain why more and more American adults are trying natural remedies to address their sleeplessness.
Sleep quality has a significant impact. When we don’t get enough quality sleep, we become more irritable, and our executive functioning is impaired. If you’re having trouble with sleep, some of the below natural remedies could be a solution to helping you get your much-needed rest.
Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone your body produces to help you fall and stay sleep. When melatonin is released, your brain and body begin to slow down and get ready for rest. However, some habits like watching TV or scrolling on cell phones before bed can impact melatonin’s release.
Melatonin supplements can help by bringing this natural hormone into your body. Usually found in a pill or gummy form, melatonin can give off all the sleep signals your body needs to rest. It is especially helpful for those working night shifts as melatonin can help them get to sleep at non-traditional times.
Valerian Root
This may sound like something out of Game of Thrones, but valerian root is a real, natural supplement. Native to Europe and Asia, valerian is a flowering plant that the Greeks and Romans used to help with sleeplessness and other conditions.
While research is still new, valerian root is said to aid in helping people fall asleep faster and wake up less during the night. Usually found as a powder, valerian root can be consumed in a capsule or mixed in tea to help soothe the mind and body.
Magnesium
Like melatonin, magnesium is a supplement already present in our bodies. We get magnesium from our foods, such as seeds, nuts, grains, and vegetables. However, those with low magnesium levels could benefit from taking supplements to help with sleep. Studies show magnesium has a relaxing effect due to its ability to “regulate melatonin production.”
Taken as a pill or gummy, magnesium may help relax muscles to promote sleep. However, those interested in magnesium should note its possible laxative side effects and discuss taking this supplement with a healthcare provider first.
Lavender Oil
Essential oils are a common natural sleep aid, specifically lavender oil. Scents strongly connect to our emotions, and lavender is said to have a calming, relaxing effect. Smelling lavender is said to help improve sleep quality, assisting individuals in having less disturbed sleep.
Lavender is most commonly used as an oil and can be placed in a diffuser or on a pillow or eye mask. Lavender oil shouldn’t be consumed as it has potentially poisonous priorities in such a concentrated form. Lavender can also be used as dried leaves or a powder in a mesh container to help the scent escape.
Kratom
Though relatively new in the modern natural supplement world, kratom has been used by ancient cultures since at least the 19th century. Native to Southeast Asia, the Mitragyna Speciosa plant that kratom comes from is a member of the coffee family. Leaves are harvested from the plant and ground into a powder to produce kratom.
Kratom comes in three major veins: an energizing white-vein, calming red-vein, and a soothing yet energizing green-vein. Due to its relaxing nature, some users find red-vein kratom to be naturally helpful when preparing for sleep.
Where to Find Natural Supplements for Sleep
While you can find most of these supplements in your grocery store or pharmacy, you will need to buy kratom online. However, it’s important to look for a kratom supplier that lab-tests their product, ensuring it’s free from any contaminants and has the right alkaloid content to be effective. Also, your supplier should have information about where their kratom is grown and their relationship with their growers. Quality kratom starts with a quality source.
If you’re interested in trying kratom, Kratora is a great place to start. They have been working with the same growers for almost a decade and are dedicated to offering high-quality, containment-free products to their customers.