A good night's sleep is foundational to healthy living. Many people regularly get a poor night's sleep and the effects can immediately disrupt our energy levels, hormonal balance, brain function, and weight management. But how can we improve our sleep in our busy, often stressful days?
4 ways to improve your sleep
Enjoy the sun! (or bright light). Getting plenty of light helps maintain a healthy circadian rhythm, the natural schedule our hormones use to help us fall asleep and wake up after we've had enough rest.
Limit evening screen time. Looking at the blue light from our phones, tvs, and computer screens in the evening tricks our brains into thinking it is still daytime which makes it harder to fall asleep.
Stay hydrated. Dehydration can reduce sleep quality and insufficient sleep can exacerbate dehydration because your circadian signals don't get the time to trigger your body to produce a hormone called vasopressin to promote water retention.
Eat for a better sleep. Adding sleep-supporting foods such as almonds, bananas, chamomile tea, and Reishi mushroom to your diet can increase your tryptophan, magnesium, manganese, flavones, antioxidants, and immunomodulators to support improved sleep.