3 things to do to get better sleep

image of woman sleeping

Sleep.

Aw, the beauty of this word...may it never be lost on me or you!

I honestly can't remember the last time I got a continuous, uninterrupted, 8 hours of sleep at night. There's almost always a kiddo in our bed or a baby who wakes up crying or a kitten that starts meowing. 

So it's important for me to get the most out of the sleep I do get.

3 things I do to get better sleep

1. Sleep with a sleep mask.

More and more research is being done how light exposure, especially blue light can affect your sleep and your health. A sleep mask blocks light, which will signal to your body to produce more melatonin, the "sleep hormone."  

When I wear my sleep mask, I feel more rested in the morning, even if I've woken up a handful of times during the night. I also find it harder to fall asleep when I don't wear my mask.

This is the mask my husband and I use. I also bought these for my older kiddos.

 

2. Drink tart cherry juice before bed.

Tart cherry juice has many benefits, including being high in antioxidants and helping reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease. But my favorite benefit is its ability to help you sleep better at night.

Tart cherry juice contains compounds that help the body create melatonin, the "sleep hormone."A study was done on tart cherry juice and its effects on melatonin levels in the body and enhanced sleep quality.

It found that drinking tart cherry juice concentrate increases melatonin, which helps improve the duration and quality of sleep in healthy people.

I drink a 4-ounce glass of juice before bed. But I've read that drinking 1-ounce in the morning and 1-ounce before bed is even better! This is the kind I like.

 

3. Spray magnesium oil on feet before bed.

Magnesium is an essential mineral that our body needs to do many things, over 300 in fact. Including, reducing stress, stabilizing moods (hello PMS), cardiovascular health and sleep.

Magnesium oil is actually just magnesium flakes mixed with water, and it helps to give your body a quick shot of magnesium, as do Epsom Salt baths.

I use it right before bed, and it does wonders! I spray it on the bottoms of my feet. The bottom of your feet have larger pours, and therefore absorb things faster. This is the kind I use.

Green Mama Tip: spray some magnesium oil on the bottom of your kiddos' feet before bed. But make sure just to spray their feet. It will sting their skin if you spray it elsewhere.