Do you have trouble falling asleep? Get hyper around bedtime and end up tossing and turning for hours? It’s time to end the restless, sleepless nights, and start changing what you eat before you enter the zzz’s.
According to recent studies, oatmeal, pretzels, bananas, wine, and teas are some sleep-enhancing foods, and here is why…
Carbohydrates (think oatmeal, pretzels, cereals) stimulate the release of insulin. This clears the bloodstream allowing the release of sleep-inducing chemicals such as serotonin and melatonin. After a big meal of carbohydrates I know I always feel sleepy but usually too stuffed to get in bed for the night. For this reason, you want to make sure to keep the carbohydrate intake to a healthy amount before bed.
Along with carbohydrates, bananas contain a fair amount of melatonin as well. This hormone relaxes you, especially during stressful times. So, be sure to eat your bananas during midterms and finals!
Alcohol relaxes your blood vessels, which ultimately relaxes your body. About one drink is the perfect amount to ensure this relaxation. Too much reverses the effects causing you to be more stimulated than relaxed.
Chamomile tea contains certain amino acids that relax you by reducing stress and anxiety. Breathing in the hot steam and the chamomile leaves causes calmness and relaxation.
By Danielle Greenberg