It’s never too late to start thinking about what we can do to improve the quality of sleep we get. I have always been a light sleeper, and need my good 8 hours of sleep to feel great which is not always easy.
Luckily both my girls have always slept well since being tiny, so have not experience many interrupted nights because of them, but have to say that recently due to lots of pressure and deadlines, I do seem to wake up more than before.
The only time I sleep “like a log” is on the day I fast, and can easily sleep 9 – 10 hours. The mornings after my fast days, I feel like a different person, and often think if I should not do more fasting days…. but then I quickly forget that as doing 2 fast days a week for 3 months has proved to be great for me, and a life-style change which I am very happy for.
Anyway, to balance irregular sleeping patterns and disturbed sleep, I have been sent some Pukka Herbs’ Night Time supplements (an organic, herbal blend for a good night’s sleep) teas for a review.
I love the teas and the smell is so lovely, definitely will get you in the mood to get ready for a good night’s sleep.
Today I would like to share a few tips by Katie Pande, Medical Herbalist.
“Lack of good quality sleep can cause many unwanted symptoms such as anxiety, sugar cravings and play havoc with your hormones – all-in-all, lack of sleep can leave you feeling pretty poor.
Before pharmaceutical sleeping tablets were invented, our ancestors relied on medicinal herbs to provide them with a natural, calming remedy for a good night’s sleep.”
Valerian
– a strong nervine and sedative to the central nervous system relaxing tense muscles whilst also encouraging an undisturbed sleep, healthy sleeping pattern and ameliorating stress.
Chamomile
– a classic relaxant for the whole body but particularly the nervous system.
Lavender
– a sweet-smelling herb contains aromatic essential oils that reduce difficulty in falling asleep, promoting a more restful sleep and preventing night-time wakening.
Limeflowers
– a particularly effective in helping to treat bad dreams and soothing a frazzled nervous system.
Oatflower
– a restorative to the nervous system which calms shattered nerves, relieves emotional instability and helps to restore a sense of peace and tranquillity.
Ashwagandha
– a strengthening tonic for nourishing the nervous and immune system, reducing stress and promoting a rejuvenating night’s sleep.
Ashwaganda is a modern-day ‘adaptogen’, adapting to the needs of our body and mind. On the one hand it’s a tonic with the power to strengthen an exhausted and agitated nervous system; on the other, it’s a calming and restoring sedative.
It will help encourage a rejuvenating night’s sleep by helping it relax but also energising body and mind through nourishing the adrenal glands so that, on waking, you are ready for the day ahead.
Katie Pande’s Good Night’s Sleep Tips:
To further aid a good night’s sleep, Katie recommends trying these before you go to bed:
- Winding down before bed time is as important as stretching before exercise.
- Try drinking a calming herbal based tea, such as Pukka Herbs’ Night Time (£2.39 for 20 sachets) to relax the nervous system and lull you into sleep.
- Meditate or practice yoga for 15-30 minutes every day to calm the mind. There are some great mindfulness beginner’s apps to get you started if you’ve not meditated before.
- Avoid bright lights (that includes the bright light of your phone!) where you sleep – they will not help create the serene surroundings needed for sleep.
- Avoid sugary foods, caffeine and rich and fatty foods too late in the evening, as these can upset the digestive system and prevent sleep.
- Exercise for 30 minutes every day to relieve tension and stress.
I hope that at least some of these tips if not all will help you sleep much better. let me know if you know of any other tips that could be added or which ones have worked for you.
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I keep meaning to try different flavoured tea. Sounds great! Thanks for hosting 🙂
Give it a go, worth it for sure!