Sleep is a valuable commodity, but it seems to be rare in today’s busy world. Many people suffer from sleep disorders that range from insomnia to sleep deprivation, and it takes a toll on the body and mind.
Getting enough sleep isn’t as easy as simply sleeping for a certain number of hours. The quality of your sleep makes more of a difference than how long you sleep. For instance, you could sleep for twelve hours and still not feel rested. On the other hand, you could get five hours of deep, restorative sleep and feel ready to tackle the world.
Are you struggling with sleep? If it’s been a while since you’ve known what a good night’s rest feels like, these tips are for you.
1. Try cannabis or CBD extractions
Cannabis is one of the best ways to aid in deep, restorative sleep that makes you feel refreshed and full of energy in the morning. If you don’t get enough REM sleep, you’ll wake up feeling tired no matter how much sleep you’ve gotten.
Even when you get plenty of sleep, poor sleep can result in sleep deprivation. Cannabis changes that by supporting your body to stay in REM sleep longer, which gives you the deep sleep your body needs to feel refreshed.
Not all cannabis products contain noticeable amounts of THC. Cannabidiol (CBD) extracts, for example, contain 0.3% or less THC. This is a trace amount that won’t be noticeable to most people. However, for most people, products with THC tend to support a deeper sleep. THC has sedative properties, which makes it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. Although CBD and certain terpenes also support deep sleep, some people need help falling asleep first in order to get those benefits.
In this case, THC is what helps them fall asleep. However, not all strains are the same, as indica and sativa strains have different properties. Sativa strains tend to produce feelings of alertness, while indica strains tend to have the calming effect that aids in getting a deep sleep.
Not sure which cannabis products to try? Verano brands are a great place to start. Verano goes to great lengths to cultivate high-quality, organic, proprietary strains that deliver on every level from taste to comfort level.
2. Try melatonin as a sleep aid
If you ask people what the best sleep aid is, many will say it’s melatonin. This is true for a lot of people, and if you’re struggling to sleep, it might work for you.
Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland, and although it’s secreted continually, the body produces more at night in order to trigger the body into sleep. Technically, it’s the darkness that triggers the body to produce more melatonin, which is why it’s so important to turn off the lights and get in bed at a reasonable hour.
Taking melatonin as a supplement can help you fall asleep and stay asleep if you struggle with insomnia. However, it’s not a long-term solution and should be discussed with your doctor. Some people experience headaches, intense dreams, and even nightmares from melatonin supplements, so start with a small dose.
3. Drink chamomile tea before bed
If you’re struggling with sleep, but it’s not too bad, you might be able to get relief from chamomile tea. Try drinking a cup of warm or hot chamomile tea a half hour before bed and see if you feel a little more relaxed.
Relaxing teas tend to help people with a sensitive nervous system, and the warmth of the tea adds to the relaxing properties of the chamomile flower.
If chamomile doesn’t work for you, look for a blend of chamomile and lavender, or search the tea aisle at the grocery store for some variation of “sleepy time tea.” Some tea manufacturers make hot teas with a blend of relaxing flowers and herbs.
4. Use a lavender diffuser for aromatherapy
Lavender has sedative properties and is extremely calming in just about any form. However, diffusers offer some of the best results. Compared to other methods, diffusing lavender oil makes it easy and effortless to inhale the oil from the air.
Try getting a diffuser going in your home at least a couple of hours before bed time. Once your diffuser is going, spend your time relaxing and don’t take on anything that will get you amped up.
5. Eliminate screen time at least 3 hours before bed
Whether you use a blue light blocking app or not, staring at a screen before bed will keep you up, even if it’s just because of the light. All light exposure will postpone the melatonin production you need to fall asleep, so the sooner you stop staring at your devices, the easier and faster you’ll sleep.
Try new methods until you find what works for you
No two people are alike; the sleep aid that works best for you may not work for others and vice versa. Keep trying everything you feel drawn to, and eventually, you’ll find something that helps you sleep.
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