A good night of sleep is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your physical (and mental) health. Unfortunately, a lot of my patients struggle to get the quality of sleep their body so desperately needs. There are several factors that influence our sleep, including our stress levels and our pre-bed rituals.
Have you ever arrived home from work and turned on the TV only to find that several hours later you’re still in front of the television with zero motivation to go to bed? But then, it’s almost impossible to get out of bed the next morning because you are just so tired? If this sounds like you, it’s time to switch off the screens at least one hour earlier and use that time to really allow your body and mind the opportunity to wind-down from the day. This simple but very important act of switching off screens allows our minds to actually relax. We may think that watching TV is relaxing, but our minds are still constantly alert without any opportunity to rest. When we are exposed to the blue lights that are emitted from laptop, TV and phone screens our minds stay wired for a period of time after we turn them off, this makes it very difficult to be in front of a screen and then asleep minutes later.
A favourite herbal extract of mine is the Valerian Liquid Herbal Extract. Valerian root is widely used and respected by the general population and physicians for its sedative effects and anti-anxiety capabilities. If you are having trouble sleeping, the Valerian Liquid Herbal Extractmay be of assistance to you.Studies show that valerian reduces the time it takes to fall asleep and improves the quality of sleep, but it is still highly recommended to switch off all screens at least one hour before bed.
If you are having trouble sleeping due to having too much on your mind, journaling before bed can be a very useful tool in eliminating some of the stress you are feeling. Meditation will also have enormous benefits for your mental and physical health and will assist in developing a quieter, calmer state of mind when you are awake. The app ‘Headspace’ is designed to offer you daily meditations and has been programmed for those who are completely uninitiated with meditation.
If you are struggling with insomnia or any kind of sleep concerns including waking up at odd times or the same time of the night every night, why not get in touch. I am here to help and would love to talk about some herbs and supplements which may assist you on your journey to better health.
As always, please feel free to get in touch with me via the www.herbsonlineshop.com contact page and if you’re not already, why not follow the @herbsonlineshop Instagram account and Facebook page and group. I post daily about my clinic, my top health tips and information about custom herbs and supplements, just for you!