From Jess, our BYCJ Nutritionist:
There are three crucial things the body does while you’re in a slumber…
- Your brain recharges.
- Your cells repair themselves.
- And your body releases important hormones.
A good sleep really is a fundamental part of feeling refreshed and energized throughout the day and if you don’t get enough sleep, and quality sleep, it can leave you feeling groggy and under-performing.
How to nourish your sleep routine in 5 simple ways:
#1. Soak and relax
Immerse yourself in a peaceful epsom salt bath with essential oils. Epsom salts are available online and in the supermarkets and won’t pinch the pennies either. You can find options online.
Another relexation exercise you can do is meditation, though if you’ve never meditated before, try this amazing breathing technique here which was recommended to me by one of my clients. It’s helped so many people out that I’ve consequently shared it with and it’s so easy to do.
#2. Try drinking a soothing chamomile or lavender tea
They’re not called the calming flowers for nothing; these herbs have been proven to help calm your nervous system from fight or flight to rest and digest. Chamomile and lavender teas are available everywhere. Sipping on the tea will give you a big hug from the inside.
#3. Lighten up on evening nourishment
Eating at least 2 hours before touch down can improve your sleep hygiene. Avoid heavy meals, snack foods and caffeine. These things can act as a stimulant and affect the quality of your sleep and for sensitive individuals; it can keep you awake, resulting in tiredness the following day.
#4. Exercise early in the day
Exercise stimulates the body to make cortisol, the body’s stress hormone, which if still circulating round your body at high levels, can keep you awake at night. If you’re used to exercising at night, try and switch it up and exercise earlier on in the day and see how you feel, it may give you a deeper, more refreshing sleep.
#5. Lay your concerns to bed
Before you get into bed, write down anything that’s on your mind and any concerns you have on a piece of paper, and put it down. It can help to keep a notepad and pen by your bed so a piece of paper is always at hand. Now that you’ve laid your concerns to bed, you can have a calm and uninterrupted sleep.
And one more bonus tip. . .
Promote sound slumber with a quiet, dark room. Oh, and no tech!
Use black out curtains, a sleeping mask or earplugs to help you create a peaceful dark and soundless sleeping sanctuary. Also, make your room a tech free zone, free of phones, iPads and televisions etc. Studies have proven technology in the bedroom makes it harder to fall asleep, and stay asleep for that matter. Spend the last 30-minutes of your night relaxing your mind and body and avoid stimulating television, bright lights and engaging in any work-related activities.