4 Foods to Help You Sleep Better Tonight

4 Foods to Help You Sleep Better Tonight

You made it. You’re alert and doing things the Monday after the time change. Yes! With one night down, you might still be having trouble adjusting to the new time. So, I’m sharing a few foods to help you sleep better tonight. I’m not saying these are magical. You still have to turn “life off” and keep the caffeine at bay. However, these foods may increase your odds of a successful slumber.

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If you’re like me, daylight saving time signals the beginning of spring. The extra light at the end of the day just makes me crave summer. While the extra daylight is welcome, losing that ONE little hour can sometimes wreak havoc on our bodies for a few days. Studies show that switching the clocks forward raised the risk of heart attack 25% over other Mondays. And be careful on the roads. There may also be an increased likelihood of car accidents too.

But that doesn’t have to happen. Consider giving yourself a break from the laptop and phone at night and include a little downtime to let your body adjust. While you’re at it, add a few of these foods to help you sleep better to your shopping list.

1. Sip some tart cherry juice. You might not have this one stocked but it could be worth a shot. Tart cherries are a natural source of melatonin, a hormone that controls sleep and wake cycles. Studies show that people who drank one cup of tart cherry juice, twice a day, were able to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
2. Eat beans or lentils at dinner. Lentils and legumes like chickpeas and black beans are a good source of magnesium, which may play a key role in sleep.
3. Snack on a handful of nuts or seeds. Nuts and seeds are another way to get magnesium. If you are deficient, there’s a chance you’re already having trouble sleeping.
4. Get cozy with warm milk. Enjoy a cup of dairy milk or your favorite nut milk (enriched with calcium). The calcium is key since it helps the brain make melatonin. But the act of settling in with a warm drink can certainly help relax the mind. Try my Golden Milk Latte for a tasty option.

This list is just a start. There are several teas and other foods that can help. Have you tried any? I’d love to hear what you use to get to sleep.

Have a healthy week!

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