The quality of our sleep can affect our health and wellbeing - mentally, emotionally and physically. Good quality sleep and improved sleep patterns can help us to avoid fatigue, manage stress and boost our focus throughout the day.
We all need sleep for repair and recovery, to help keep our bodies working optimally. Adults are recommended by experts to need 7 – 8 hours a night. The more of these hours you can have uninterrupted, the better you will feel.
So how can we improve the quality of our sleep?
Try sticking consistently every day to set sleep and wake times – even on weekends. This will avoid disruption to your circadian rhythm (internal body clock) and melatonin levels (a natural hormone produced in the body that regulates the sleep-wake cycles). Avoid long or unplanned naps – a regular sleep schedule and pattern is important in helping you to drift off and maintain uninterrupted sleep.
Create a restful environment. It is important to minimise sleep disturbances. A cool, dark and quiet room is ideal for sleeping. Creating a relaxing environment can be key to getting a good night’s sleep.
For example:
Avoid the prolonged use of light-emitting screens just before bedtime. Switching off your television, tablets and phones for an hour or more before bed will mean you are less exposed to the blue light that can keep us awake and prevent us from dropping off to sleep. Try calming activities before bed instead that might promote better sleep, such as reading a book, taking a nice warm bath or listening to some soothing music.
Pay attention to your food and drink. Avoid caffeinated drinks late on in the day as these have stimulating effects that could affect the quality of your sleep. Avoid eating a heavy or large meal late at night. Going to bed stuffed and having to digest a big meal could delay you falling asleep. Make sure you avoid going to bed hungry as well as the discomfort could keep you awake and affect your sleep quality.
Get plenty of physical activity during the day. Regular exercise can help promote better sleep, as it reduces the levels of stress hormones in the body such as cortisol. Though it is best to avoid anything too strenuous or high intensity late in the evening, as this can disrupt your sleep patterns and make it harder for you to drop off to sleep.
Manage your worries. Keep a notebook by your bed to jot down any thoughts, ideas or jobs to consider for the following day. Making a note can help you to feel reassured that you won’t forget something important, and can help you to drop off to sleep easier. Stress management techniques can also help – prioritising and delegating tasks, decluttering, and organising your diary. Relaxation techniques such as yoga, deep breathing, mindfulness and meditation can also ease anxiety and help improve your sleep.
Try Supplements. Additional help in managing your stress can possibly be achieved also by looking at natural herbal alternatives. Adding adaptogens which are a class of rejuvenating herbs to your daily diet can prove helpful for fighting stress, anxiety and fatigue by balancing the way the body adapts and responds. Ashwagandha is one such adaptogenic herb that has traditionally been used for its rejuvenating and restorative benefits. It is said to boost the immune system as well as reducing stress and fatigue. By modulating the body's cortisol levels and the response to stress and changing environments, it helps the body to maintain its fine balance in order to cope with external and internal stresses we face. KSM-66® Ashwaghanda is the highest concentration full spectrum extract on the market.
Studies have shown Ashwagandha to improve sleep quality as well as sleep onset latency (the time it takes to fall asleep) demonstrating it to be a potential treatment for adults with insomnia and anxiety[¹].
You may also consider trying a natural sleep and night-time formula. Hellenia GOOD NIGHT SLEEP capsules have been specifically formulated to help improve sleep quality and promote rest. They contain stress relieving ingredients to help promote sound sleep, such as the adaptogenic herbs: Ashwagandha, Bacopa and Lion’s Mane mushroom, alongside other beneficial vitamins and minerals – Magnesium, Vitamin B6 and Zinc, which play a role in assisting the production of sleep hormones. Notably magnesium plays a key role in the regulation of sleep, it helps you relax, so is often used as a natural remedy for sleep problems such as insomnia and has led it to become a popular sleep aid. The effect on calming the nervous system helps the body and brain to relax and prepare for sleep. It also helps to regulate melatonin levels, which is the hormone that controls our sleep-wake cycle. Insufficient magnesium intake can be linked to sleep problems. Each serving of GOOD NIGHT SLEEP capsules contains 100% of your daily recommended needs.
As well as magnesium the amino acid L-Theanine promotes calm and relaxation, alongside Phophatidylserine - A phospholipid that is highly present in neural tissue - vital for the brain and cognitive function. Research has also shown it can lower cortisol levels, which in turn helps to restore melatonin levels and promote sleep.
Suitable for vegans, 3 capsules taken on an evening are recommended to help you relax and unwind for a restful night.
The power of a good night’s sleep is not to be underestimated. In today’s modern world when everyone is constantly so busy and switched on sleep should be a top priority and not an afterthought.
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