Invest in non-restrictive PJs made from breathable fabric
Hello Giggles examine what the best pyjamas are made of
"Sometimes, curing sleeplessness can be as easy as changing up your bedtime attire. Cool body temperature, according to Dr. Robbins, is an often overlooked aspect of healthy sleep. Keep an eye on your thermostat and invest in non-restrictive PJs made from breathable fabric. Dr. Robbins suggests sleepwear from Dagsmejan, which helps regulate body temperature."
Read the full article below:
"Stressing about work, your late-night wine with friends, your love of coffee, your schedule—basically most things in your life could be disrupting your ability to get to sleep and stay asleep. If you have occasional insomnia or find yourself tossing and turning all night, we reached out for some advice. We talked to doctors about natural sleep aids to help you get those important zzzs.
Of course, insomnia could be an indicator of an underlying health condition, so you should always talk to your doctor about your sleep concerns. Still, there are behavioral changes and some over-the-counter natural supplements that work as sleep aids and can get you off to dreamland.
Your first truly natural sleep aid should be making behavioral changes to your day—particularly your bedtime routine.
Before you consider medical intervention or supplements, you can look to what you’re doing for your nighttime routine. There are many habits that could be interfering with your ability to fall asleep or stay asleep. Let’s look at a couple of ideas that doctors think could help.
1 Keep a regular bedtime
We know, we know; many of us haven’t kept a strict bedtime since we were kids and our parents made us go to bed right after TGIF. But going to bed at or near the same time every night is crucial for getting your body to sleep, Dr. Rebecca Robbins, a sleep expert, tells HelloGiggles.
2 Unplug from electronics
Scrolling through your Instagram feed right before bed? First of all, you’re not alone, because studies have shown that about 95% of people use some type of electronics a few nights a week, in the hour before bed. But research shows that the blue light from your phone could be disrupting your sleeping patterns. According to the National Sleep Foundation, the light sends signals to your brain that delays the production of melatonin, a sleep hormone. If you’re struggling to fall asleep, quit your phone within a couple of hours before bed.
3 Rethink that glass of wine
If you’re unwinding with a glass of wine at bedtime, it could be keeping you awake.
Sorry, but maybe limit your shiraz intake to happy hour, long before bed.
4Take a look at your pyjamas
Sometimes, curing sleeplessness can be as easy as changing up your bedtime attire. Cool body temperature, according to Dr. Robbins, is an often overlooked aspect of healthy sleep. Keep an eye on your thermostat and invest in non-restrictive PJs made from breathable fabric. Dr. Robbins suggests sleepwear from Dagsmejan, which helps regulate body temperature.
5Add relaxing smells to your routine
“There is evidence to suggest that relaxing smells, such as lavender, are helpful for calming the mind and preparing for sleep,” says Dr. Robbins.
According to The Wall Street Journal, studies have shown that lavender has a relaxing effect that can not only help induce sleep but increase the amount of deep sleep. You can find lavender for your bedtime routine in the form of candles, diffusers, oils, or even sprays for your pillows.
6Practice mindfulness to get to sleep
Dr. Robbins recommends making your bedtime routine as calming as possible since stress and anxiety can definitely keep you from getting to sleep.
“View the moments before bed as time to unplug from electronics, practice mindfulness, light candles. Consciously view this time as part of the sleep process,” she says. “Be more mindful of your breathing. If you find your mind racing, journal or write down anything that is bothering you.”
If you’re still struggling to get your Zzzs, consider supplements that contain natural sleep aids.
As Dr. Avena notes, be careful not to take more than the recommended doses of any sleep aids, and it is always best to talk to your own physician before using any supplement. With the go-ahead from your doctor, try one of these supplements recommended by the medical professionals we spoke with.
1Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone that we naturally produce in our pineal gland, and it signals the beginning of the sleep cycle, according to Dr. Avena. She recommends taking a melatonin supplement about 20 to 30 minutes before you plan to go to bed.
Dr. Lina Velikova, a sleep expert, also tells HelloGiggles that additional melatonin can help, though she does note a potential side effect.
2GABA
Gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, is an “inhibitory neurotransmitter” that occurs naturally in your brain, according to Dr. Avena. It blocks impulses between nerve cells. So what does this mean for you and your good night’s sleep? Well, GABA is tied to regulating fear and anxiety, working as a calming effect. As Dr. Robbins explains: “When taken as a supplement, [GABA] can relax the mind and help you to fall asleep.”
“Frunutta makes a sublingual GABA supplement that is easy to take and doesn’t have any fillers,” Dr. Robbins says, adding that it’s best to take the supplement about an hour before you plan to go to bed.
3Magnesium
Taking into account how both melatonin and GABA help your sleep cycle, sleep expert and naturopath Dr. Carolyn Dean recommends another natural sleep aid to HelloGiggles: magnesium.
To avoid its laxative effect, Dr. Dean says to manage both its form and dosage. She recommends a liquid picometer form of magnesium so it can be fully absorbed by cells without reaching the large intestine.
4Valerian root
Valerian root is an herb, which you can take in pill form as a supplement or drink in tea. Dr. Velikova tells HelloGiggles that it can help with insomnia and even anxiety.
Again, talk to your own doctor if you’re worried about insomnia or are considering an over-the-counter natural sleep aid. But hopefully, you can find some relaxation help with these bedtime ideas."