Have I mentioned before that I don’t always get a good night’s sleep? I tend to swear by Natrasleep which doesn’t knock you out but delivers a blissful slumber once you finally drift off. I usually wake up feeling refreshed and ready to face the day; and, of course, I like it because it is made from herbal products (valerian and hops) and it’s suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
However, American scientists have found that a ‘cooling cap‘ can help insomniacs to sleep better, because it lowers activity in your prefrontal cortex, the part of your brain thought to help you switch off for a good night’s sleep. But British academics are not so excited. Professor Jim Horne, of Loughborough University, suggested a fan at night might help as much.
If, like me, you’re an insomniac you will probably have tried a lot of things already. And there are some great natural things to try. Some of us are better with teas and others with tablets. But it might interest you to know that the much talked about new kid on the block, acai berry, is thought to improve sleep as well. I haven’t tried this one yet. If you have, please post a review. It comes as a vegicap, a drink and a tea. It is also reported to be excellent to aid weight loss, to help fight stress, to improve digestion and to help maintain good skin! Wow, and all as I sleep?
According to one survey, one third of people in the UK have trouble sleeping about three times a week so I’m not alone.
Here’s a list of things that I find useful when I’m trying to nod off.
- Get up, do something downstairs, go back to bed when you feel tired.
- Stay cool, but wear something to keep your chest warm.
- Write down the things in your head onto a notepad – empty your mind.
- Black out your windows.
- Avoid chilli, bananas and cheese (or anything high in protein).
- Exercise earlier in the day.
- Change your bed sheets.
- Use in-ear earphones to listen to the radio (they fall out when you turn over and then you can’t hear it anymore).
- Drink some cocoa.
At the end of the day (or should that be in the early hours of the morning?) you just have to do what works for you…
Have I mentioned before that I don’t always get a good night’s sleep? I tend to swear by Natrasleep which doesn’t knock you out but delivers a blissful slumber once you finally drift off. I usually wake up feeling refreshed and ready to face the day; and, of course, I like it because it is made from herbal products (valerian and hops) and it’s suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
However, American scientists have found that a ‘cooling cap’ can help insomniacs to sleep better, because it lowers activity in your prefrontal cortex, the part of your brain thought to help you switch off for a good night’s sleep. But British academics are not so excited. Professor Jim Horne, of Loughborough University, suggested a fan at night might help as much.
If, like me, you’re an insomniac you will probably have tried a lot of things already. And there are some great natural things to try. Some of us are better with teas and others with tablets. But it might interest you to know that the much talked about new kid on the block, acai berry, is thought to improve sleep as well. I haven’t tried this one yet. If you have, please post a review. It comes as a vegicap, a drink and a tea. It is also reported to be excellent to aid weight loss, to help fight stress, to improve digestion and to help maintain good skin! Wow, and all as I sleep?
According to one survey, one third of people in the UK have trouble sleeping about three times a week so I’m not alone.
Here’s a list of things that I find useful when I’m trying to nod off.
Get up, do something downstairs, go back to bed when you feel tired.
Stay cool, but wear something to keep your chest warm.
Write down the things in your head onto a notepad – empty your mind.
Black out your windows.
Avoid chilli, bananas and cheese (or anything high in protein).
Exercise earlier in the day.
Change your bed sheets.
Use earphones to listen to the radio (they fall out when you turn over and then you can’t hear it anymore).
Drink some cocoa.
At the end of the day (or should that be in the early hours of the morning?) you just have to do what works for you…
