BEDTIME is the time for winding down after a long day, and yet you find yourself tossing and turning or watching the time slowly click by. There is a method to sleeping through the night without having to rely on heavy medication. Natural sleep remedies have been around for many generations. They are not miracle cures; some may take several weeks to make a noticeable difference. When deciding to take the herbal path, talk with your physician to make sure it’s best for you.
Sleepy Tea Time – (for all ages)
An old-fashioned remedy for a sound sleep is to drink a cup of chamomile tea just before bedtime and add a teaspoon of honey to sweeten. Do not take it if you suffer from allergies.
Valerian Tea:
Pour boiling water over 2 teaspoons of Valerian root, infuse for 15 minutes, and drink before bedtime. It is not the best-tasting tea but is highly recommended for calming the nerves and promoting sleep.
Hops Tea:
1 oz. hops to 1 pint of boiling water, drink 3 times a day.
Catnip Tea:
A common garden plant with a mint taste can be used to have a sound and restful sleep. Add 1 teaspoon of dried catnip to 1 cup of boiling water, infuse, strain, and drink before bedtime.
What You Eat or Drink Can Have an Impact on Your Sleep Pattern
- One old-time cure for insomnia is milk. Drink a warm glass of milk.
- Eat light at night.
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco before sleeping.
Another effective cure for insomnia is to take some Siberian ginseng daily (which can be easily found at any health food store or drug store). Take 1 capsule up to 3 times a day.
“Set the Mood” for a Good Night’s Sleep
Your bedroom should be made as comfortable as possible. After all, this is where you rejuvenate your entire being. Some suggestions to ensure the Sandman will be visiting you tonight…
- Invest in good pillows, sheets, and a firm, comfortable mattress.
- Make bedtime as routine as possible. Do not oversleep in the morning.
- Make sure your room is quiet, dark, and has a comfortable temperature, neither too hot nor too cold.
- Listen to poetry or soft music. Why not throw on some Mozart and enhance your intelligence while you sleep? Did you know that Albert Einstein listened to Mozart? Its no coincidence that he was a genius!
- Your bedroom should only be used for sleep and sex. Don’t watch TV, work, read, or talk on the phone.
Bathe Your Insomnia Away
Take an aromatherapy bath before retiring and literally send all your tension and worries down the drain.
Make sure the bathroom door is closed to keep the room warm and the scents in. Fill the tub with warm water, enough to completely cover your body. Once the tub is filled, add the essential oil drop by drop into the water. Do not stir. Emerge yourself into the water and soak for 20 minutes. This bedtime therapy is enhanced with soft music and a few candles glistening nearby.
Try massaging your neck and shoulders with any one of these calming, soothing essential oils.
5 drops of chamomile
5 drops of lavender
5 drops of Neroli
3 drops of sandalwood
5 drops of Rose
5 drops Ylang-Ylang
More Cozy Twilight Traditions
Using a plain massage oil or even vegetable oil, gently rub your neck and shoulders in small circular motions using your fingertips. If possible, have someone do it for you.
Take an evening walk. Fresh air helps you feel refreshed and calm. The quiet may also give you time to sort through your day’s events.
Sew easy to sleep the night away! Make a dream pillow using dried hops flowers (a natural sedative whose odor is strong and fragrant) as the filler and place it in a muslin bag. See directions for making a dream pillow.
Lastly, Sleep on It!
The number one cause of not getting enough sleep is stress and worrying. Leave your work at work and sleep on your problems. When your mind and body are well rested, it is easier to deal with things. And when you completely release all of the day’s tensions, it allows your mind to seek solutions effortlessly throughout the night. The old adage “things always look better in the morning” becomes true after some much-needed Zzzzz’s.
Sweet Dreams!
The Author:
Pioneerthinking.com – Ingredients for a Simple Life.
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