Super Sleep Foods and Drinks
24-01-2012
Sleep. For those people who find falling asleep a breeze and wake feeling refreshed and invigorated the next morning, sleep is a pleasant period of their lives that they do not need to put much thought or time into. For those unfortunate people who suffer from a sleep disorder, sleep is a stressful and elusive beast that haunts them. Lack of sleep or unsatisfying sleep can lead to a wide number of physical and emotional ailments, including depression, hallucinations, anxiety and fatigue. Fortunately, there are some relatively simple and painless methods of improving both the quality and quantity of sleep.
Our bodies are incredibly complex and what we put in them can have a range of different effects that we may be unaware of, or may not think about that often. Our diets have huge consequences for both our bodies and our minds. One area that is often underappreciated is the relationship between diet and sleep. What we eat and drink has a massive effect on the quality and quantity of our sleep and many people who suffer from sleeping disorders could remedy them by simply changing their diet.
It doesn’t even have to be that complex or involved. Often simply by eating or drinking a particular substance, people can improve their sleep dramatically. Here is a list of some of the more popular and effective foods and drinks that can help you fall asleep and will improve the quality of your sleep.
Bananas: Bananas are a potent source of both potassium and magnesium, which help to relax overstressed muscles. They also contain a substance called tryptophan, which converts into serotonin and melatonin when ingested. Serotonin and melatonin are both natural hormones that help calm the brain. Bananas therefore help to relax and calm both the body and the mind. Before bed, make yourself a banana and milk smoothie, a delicious and effective way of helping yourself get to sleep.
Eggs: Eggs are a great source of protein, which helps you to sleep. Protein ensures that you stay asleep longer and wake feeling better in the morning. If you feel like you need to sleep better for longer then maybe all you need is to snack on a hardboiled egg before you go to bed. Give it a try.
Tea: One of these potent sleep enhancing substances is tea. Not normal caffeinated tea, however, but rather a number of the herbal varieties. In particular, chamomile tea and green tea have been widely recommended as two hot drinks that help people to get to sleep and improve the quality of sleep. These two teas are widely available and pleasant to drink, making them an easy and painless method of improving sleep. If you are struggling with sleep then a cup of tea before bed is one of the easiest and most soothing ways of helping yourself sleep and is a great habit to get into.
Miso Soup: Miso soup comes from Japan and is made from soy. For centuries it has been a popular before bed drink enjoyed across Japan. Miso contains amino acids, which help boost the production of melatonin, which is a natural hormone that helps make us tired. A nice warm cup of miso before bed at night will improve the quality of your sleep and is a light and refreshing way to send you off to slumber.
Almonds: Almonds contain magnesium, which helps promote muscle relaxation and sleep. They also provide proteins which help the body maintain a stable blood sugar level while sleeping and help people fall asleep by switching the body from its adrenaline cycle to its rest and digest cycle.
These foods and drinks will help you to get to sleep and they will improve the quality of the sleep you have. For maximum results you should also try to eat and drink them routinely, creating a regular habit. That way your body will begin to fall into a predictable cycle, which helps in the sleep process. If you are still struggling to get to sleep, then it is recommended you see a medical professional.
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