Three low-cost ways to get your sleep back on track without splashing out on expensive remedies
STRUGGLING with your sleep? You’re not alone.
January blues, post-holiday routines, and back-to-work stress can wreak havoc on our shut-eye at this time of year.
But you don’t have to splash out on expensive remedies – a few easy, low-cost steps can make all the difference . . .
TIME OUT ON TEA: Cut down on caffeine drinks, especially after lunchtime.
Instead brew some banana peel tea which has a subtly sweet flavour and means you use up food waste.
Simply wash the skin of the fruit then boil it in water for ten minutes, strain and enjoy.
Sleep expert Sammy Margo, from bed company Dreams, says: “Banana peels are rich in magnesium and potassium, which help relax muscles and nerves, while also containing tryptophan, a precursor to sleep-promoting hormones serotonin and melatonin.”
SWITCH OFF: Avoid viewing your phone, or other devices, an hour before bed. These emit light that can interfere with the production of hormones that help you sleep.
Try leaving your phone outside your bedroom if you find it difficult to avoid checking it before trying to kip.
Also, hot, stuffy rooms can make you too uncomfortable to drop off so switch the heating off in your bedroom ahead of settling down for the night.
REVERSE DAYDREAM: People who have trouble falling asleep often find it difficult to switch off.
“Lie down and think about your day — but in reverse,” advises Sammy.
“Picture events from evening to morning, one step at a time. This will distract the mind and break overthinking patterns, which may pave the way for sleep.”
Or try humming a minute before bed, which can activate your vagus nerve, which promotes relaxation, says Sammy.
She explains: “It’s a surprisingly effective way to calm an overactive mind and ease into sleep.”
- All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.
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