Our bodies need a full night’s sleep in order to restore and rejuvenate them, but achieving a good night’s sleep can be a challenge for many people. The topic of sleep can be a tricky one to cover because we still do not know a lot about the sleeping process. However, we do know that not getting a full eight hours of sleep regularly can have a significant impact on a person’s health. In order to avoid these health issues later down the road, it is critical to develop good sleep habits now, and supplements could potentially help with this.

The Importance of Sleep

Most people know that getting a full eight hours of sleep is important, but few can say that they meet this goal night after night. According to the Better Sleep Council, half of Americans say that they do not get enough sleep, but less than half of them do anything to change this. If more people knew exactly how sleep deprivation affects us physically and mentally, perhaps there would be more urgency to do something about it. Continued sleep deprivation can lead to higher risks of the following chronic health problems: • High blood pressure • Stroke • Heart disease • Diabetes • Irregular heart rhythm

Supplements That Can Help

If there is no underlying health issue that is directly causing you to get poor sleep each night, it might be a good idea to look into taking supplements. Natural supplements like those from CAMFormulas are preferred by many who do not want to be on another prescription medication. Some supplements can interfere with certain medications, so it would be wise to check with your doctor before using any of the following supplements:

Magnesium

This mineral plays an important role in over 300 reactions in the human body, and is vital to keeping our bones strong and our hearts healthy. It could also be the secret to getting a good night’s sleep for some people. This is because magnesium is instrumental in nerve cell communication, and those who are deficient in magnesium can be stressed and nervous. Being stressed and nervous has a tendency to make falling asleep rather difficult. High levels of this mineral can be toxic to the body, and it is important to take the proper dose.

Melatonin

This hormone occurs naturally in the body and is made by our pineal gland (a small gland in the brain). Our bodies have an internal clock that controls our waking and sleeping cycles. In order to control these cycles, the body reacts to light and produces melatonin to trigger sleep. This is why some people need to take melatonin in the winter months due to the shorter and darker days. It should be noted that you could potentially be disrupting your melatonin production by using electronics such as laptops before bed. Melatonin can restore the body’s natural circadian rhythm, but it is advisable to first cut off electronic usage well before bedtime to see if this can help your quality of sleep.

Valerian

Valerian is an herbal supplement that is commonly taken to improve sleep or reduce anxiety. Many studies have found that valerian can help people not only fall asleep quicker, but to also improve their quality of sleep. There are a variety of ways to take valerian, including adding it to bath water or taking it as a pill. While it is considered both safe and effective, it is important to consider the potential side effects of this supplement, such as vivid dreams, daytime drowsiness, and upset stomach.

L-Theanine

L-theanine is a naturally occurring amino acid found in green tea, and it stimulates the production of GABA (a neurotransmitter), which calms the body down. L-theanine is commonly used to treat anxiety and promote relaxation. For this reason, it is also used to help those who have high blood pressure and trouble sleeping. L-theanine is popular because it promotes sleep without the common side effect of daytime drowsiness, but those who take it can possibly experience vivid dreams. Take Control of Your Health Not getting regular sleep can have a negative impact on a person’s quality of life. While the effects may not present themselves immediately, the long-term effects should be a concern to anyone who misses out on a full night’s rest. It’s important to take control of your health now and commit to getting a good night’s sleep, whether this is through taking supplements or fixing any underlying health issues causing poor sleep.