The holidays are over for the most part and we've had some time to sit back. This is also the time of year when we feel the winter slump. We can't sleep well, yet the gloomy cold just makes us want to wrap up in our duvets and stay in bed all day. Our diets, which is one thing that we start focusing on after the holidays, can help us gain some energy as well as help us fall asleep faster. We've compiled a list of what to munch on during the day for a more restful sleep.
Nuts: Grab a handful of nuts during the day and not only will it give you a healthy boost of energy, some of them can also help aid sleep. Walnuts contain their own amount of melatonin, an important hormone that helps regulate sleep. Almonds help muscle relaxation through their source of magnesium, also present in Brazil nuts and sesame seeds.
Fruit: There are certain fruits with components that promote a healthier sleep- Bananas are packed with melatonin and potassium- a nutrient that is another natural muscle relaxer. A handful of dates are high in carbs and L-tryptophan- the amino acid that helps you crash after a big meal. Cherries also naturally boosts levels of melatonin in our bodies.
Fish: Vitamin D is important to achieve optimum perkiness during the day. Salmon, trout, anchovies and tuna are an excellent way to ward off daytime sleepiness and welcoming a better sleep come bedtime. Check out this link from Fitness Magazine for 34 delicious healthy and quick fish recipes. Avoid protein-rich foods too close to bedtime though - try having your last big meal 3 hours before you sleep.
Tea: Head to the grocery store and you'll find a few brands of tea that promote sleep. If you've tried and tested these and are looking for something a bit different, a few other types of teas can do the same job: Steep some Passionfruit tea for a more sound sleep, or Magnolia Bark tea to calm nerves and anxiety. Even the ritual of sipping some tea before bedtime can aid the relaxation process.
Food is also known to effect our moods. While some foods, like the ones above, can promote relaxation and less anxiety, others can have the opposite effect.
Have a look at this article for how some foods can make us touchy and even angry:
Food Swings- Can Food Make You Angry?
Have a look at this article for how some foods can make us touchy and even angry:
Food Swings- Can Food Make You Angry?
What rituals and snacks do you try before bedtime? Let us know in the comments below! Want to keep in touch? Like us on Facebook or pop into The Backrub - we're open 7 days a week!
