How to Sleep Better

Tips and Natural Sleep Remedies for Radiant Skin

Did you know that learning how to sleep better will actually benefit not only your health, but your appearance and your skin care?

Sleep is one of the most overlooked natural health strategies for radiant natural beauty, and for clearing up your skin. It is simple, free, and yet not always easy to get.

When you don't get enough, your skin and your whole body suffers. Sleep is absolutely essential to radiant and healthy skin, and yet in today's stressful world, many of us simply do not get enough of it!!

Sleep is one of your body's most miraculous self healing mechanisms. A good night's sleep can do wonders on all levels of our being, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

I'm rather an expert on this topic, because I've had difficulty sleeping for over 20 years. I know from first hand experience what the lack of sleep can do to affect your skin, and your whole body!!

Sleep Affects Your Skin and Your Whole Body

Studies have shown that people that don't sleep enough even gain weight faster than people who are well rested!! That sure adds some extra motivation for us all to get enough ZZZzzzz's !! :-)

Skin problems are the result of imbalances in our whole body, and so simple creams may not be enough to help us to restore our body's healthiest functioning. Learning how to sleep better is one of those natural beauty secrets that hardly anyone talks about!

Our skin takes the brunt of any stressors in our lives, and it is one of the first parts of our bodies to register when things get out of balance.

Here are some tips to help you learn how to sleep better so you and your skin get enough rest!

How to Sleep Better - Make Sleep More of a Priority

Re-arrange your schedule to make sure you get enough sleep! For example, if you have trouble getting to bed at a reasonable hour, set your alarm!!

Although most people only use an alarm to wake up in the morning, using an alarm to remind you that it is bedtime will help you to have plenty of time available to rest. I know that is not easy in today's world, but your skin and your whole body will thank you!

How to Sleep Better - Bedtime Nurturing

Create a nightly bedtime routine that includes some kind of nurturing and pampering experience, so that you will look forward to going to bed.

This could be some quality time with a loved one, a few quiet moments with a favorite book, a luxurious bath, some peaceful meditation time, or a cup of relaxing chamomile tea.

How to Sleep Better - Sooth Your Skin

Do something wonderful for your skin at bedtime, to help your skin to rejuvenate and repair itself overnight. This will help your whole body to relax!

Try a gentle, soothing facial mask, (don't use stimulating facial masks like coffee or green tea!!, or a classic "cucumbers on the eyes" home spa treatment.

You can even do some gentle facial exercise, which can help your head and neck to relax, and bring more blood flow to your skin to help clear up blemishes and skin problems.

These skin pampering routines can help you to relax and wind down at the end of the day, and especially during stressful times!

How to Sleep Better - Foods for a Good Snooze!

There are some foods that contain nutrients that can help us sleep better. As a long time insomnia, I have found that the right foods really can help us to sleep better!

• For those who can tolerate dairy products, a cup of warm milk is a very effective natural sleep aid!
  
  Tart red cherries contain melatonin, which can help us to fall asleep and stay asleep more easily.
• A moderate serving of Carbohydrates like a piece of toast or a bowl of oatmeal can help you to fall asleep. If I am awake at night and can't get to sleep, I munch on a rice cake and it puts me out every time!
  
  Be sure to have just a small serving of carbohydrate, so you are not feeling stuffed when you wake up, and avoid sugared carbohydrates like cookies which can be stimulating.
• Foods containing tryptophan will also help you to feel sleepy, especially when combined with carbohydrates. Some foods with tryptophan include bananas, nuts, poultry, and legumes.
  
  Be sure to avoid large meals, or foods excessively high in spices or fats, which may cause digestive problems at night.
• Avoid substances which disturb your sleep like alcohol, caffeine and nicotine.

How to Sleep Better - Natural Sleep Remedies

One very gentle way to get more sleep, or better quality sleep, is to support your sleep with natural sleep remedies.

If you have any trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, there are a number of soothing natural supports to help you sleep better.

• Extra calcium and magnesium at bedtime can help your nervous system to relax.
• There are some very effective homeopathic sleep tonic remedies that can be helpful for sleep, and which have absolutely no side effects. If your body can benefit from the remedy, you will fall asleep, and if not, you will simply be awake, but without some of the side effects that prescription medicines can cause.
  
  Since you never know how your body will respond to natural sleep remedies, it is helpful to purchase a homeopathic sleep aid that has a money back guarantee.
• Melatonin can also be helpful for some people in falling asleep. Melatonin is produced naturally body the body however there are many stresses that can limit our body's melatonin production.
  
  Some of the ways you can increase your melatonin production naturally is to eat red cherries, which are known to have high amounts of melatonin.
  
  Another important way to support your body's melatonin production is to be sure that your room is completely darkened at night. If possible, turn of all lights and night lights.
  
  During the day, be sure to get enough natural sunlight, at least 20 minutes a day, which also helps your brain to normalize it's melatonin production.
  
  If you still can't sleep, check with you doctor or health practitioner about trying melatonin supplements. I used these for many years, and for a long time it was the only way I could sleep!
  
  Melatonin supplements have some additional health benefits, but also have some drawbacks and can make you drowsy during the day, so check with your health care professional.
• 5-HTP is a natural amino acid that can help promote a restful sleep, and it has some other health benefits as well such as reducing appetite and improving depression.
• Get enough exercise during the day, so that you are tired at night! This is one more of the huge benefits of getting regular exercise. It really works!
• Acupuncture can be a very effective natural sleep aid, which promotes balance to your whole body.

How to Sleep Better - Herbal Sleep Aids

Natural herbal sleep aids can be very helpful in calming your body and mind so you can rest more easily. These can also work well together with homeopathic remedies to help you fall asleep and stay asleep long enough to feel refreshed.

Some of the most common herbs that are known to help sleep are chamomile, oats, valerian root, skullcap, and passion flower. Chamomile tea is quite gentle and has a pleasant taste and so can be sipped at bedtime.

The other herbs are not quite so tasty as a tea, and are better taken as a supplement. Valerian root has a pretty intense smell, however it is very effective!

I have found that herbal combinations give me the best result, and one of my favorites is Serenite Plus which combines several herbs with homeopathic remedies in a formulation that is both gentle and very effective.

When Natural Sleep Aids Are Not Enough

Okay, so you've tried every natural remedy under the sun, and more ... and you STILL cannot sleep! This has happened to me on several occasions, and it is really difficult, especially if you are very sensitive.

It may be a very stressful time in your life, when you are feeling overwhelmed emotionally or physically, or natural body changes such as aging or menopause can cause you to sleep less well.

For whatever the reason, sometimes even the most natural or sensitive person needs a little extra help. When I couldn't sleep, I felt desperate to have even a few hours of rest, and I was very grateful for the miracles of modern medicine!!

How to Sleep Better - Over the Counter Sleep Aids?

Sometimes a simple over the counter sleep aid can take the edge off and help you get a good night's sleep. Be sure to follow the instructions on the labels, and please check with your doctor if you are taking other medications.

I personally found that over the counter sleep medications made me groggy and foggy, but did not help me sleep. I found melatonin to be more helpful and without as many side effect, however your experience may be different.

Each of us has a unique body and so many times, the only way to know whether something will work is to try it!

How to Sleep Better - Seeking Professional Help

If natural and herbal remedies do not work for you, and if even an over the counter sleep aid does not work, it is time to seek professional help.

check with your doctor or a trusted health care professional to see what other solutions may be helpful. Sleeplessness can be caused by many different things and so it is helpful to look at all of your options.

It's important to be flexible and open minded when trying new options for sleeping. Even if you prefer natural sleep aids, sometimes you may need some extra help.

At the right time, the right prescription sleep medication may be helpful to help you get over the hump of whatever stress you are experiencing, and enable you to get a good nights rest.