Can't Sleep?

If you’re like 6 million other Britains, you struggle to fall asleep or you wake in the night and can’t get back to sleep.  Chronic insomnia not only affects your moods and ability to think in the day, it can also affect your physical health, increasing the ageing process and even contributing to weight gain.

 Before going down the ‘sleeping pill’ route, its worth trying a few natural strategies for improving your sleep.  I’d recommend trying one at a time to see which, if any, will work for you.  My list of favourites (to be taken 45 minutes before bed) includes:

• Valerian:  A herb with a mild sedative effect; try 1-2 ml fluid extract or 600mg in capsule form.  Note:  Though most people feel relaxed and calmed, about 10% of users feel ‘stimulated’ by valerian…worth a mention!
• Passionflower:  A gentle and calming herb, passionflower can help insomnia due to stress and anxiety; try 1-2 ml fluid extract or 500mg in capsule form.
• 5 HTP:  A precursor to the ‘feel-good’ and sleep-promoting hormone serotonin, 5HTP can produce dramatic results in promoting and maintaining sleep.  Take 100-300mg; do not use if you are currently taking antidepressants.
• Magnesium:  A calming, muscle-relaxing mineral which is important in serotonin synthesis.  Try 250mg before bed.