Tired of counting sheep? You’re not alone, as the world is filled with people having a hard time sleeping. While sleeping pills are the actual remedy, sometimes they’re not the best medication for people. Why don’t we go natural or seek the help of science this time? Today, we’re revealing the 9 drinks that promise to transform your sleep tonight. Grab your grocery list and get ready to shop for the following ingredients for a natural drink to help you sleep better.
9. GABA-Enhanced Drinks
Here’s an actual drink so you can off-switch those racing thoughts. GABA-enhanced drinks are beverages that are designed to give a relaxing effect. GABA is your brain’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, responsible for calming nervous system activity. There are brands like Sentia to enhance the natural production of your GABA. This gives you calm alertness just within an hour of consuming. It’s perfect for professionals in a high-stress field who need to unwind for the night.
8. Lemon Balm Tea
If you’re exhaustion is filled with anxiety, then the natural way to calm yourself is through lemon balm. It’s a fragrant herb belonging to the mint family that’s been prescribed for anxiety and insomnia since the Middle Ages. It has the ability to soothe your nervous system and promote calmness within. It’s a gentle drink that you can enjoy anytime you need to calm down.
7. Reishi Mushroom Elixirs
The reishi is finally getting its moment, thanks to its powerful adaptogen. This Eastern natural medicine helps activate your natural sleep cycles that help you sleep faster and longer. It works by supporting your body’s stress response system, perfect for those suffering from chronic restlessness. There are brands that offer this ancient remedy through tea blends.
6. L-Theanine Enhanced Drinks
Green tea is a popular example of an L-theanine-filled drink. It features a calm and focused energy without the jitters of coffee. Well, L-theanine is actually a powerful amino acid that generates your alpha brain waves, which occur during meditation. Now, functional beverage brands are grabbing L-theanine and adding it to their drink products designed to help you conquer your day without stress.
5. Valerian Root Tea
If you’re looking for a natural sleep aid with a good history of success, then the valerian root is the perfect match for you. This herb has been used as a sedative for over 2,000 years, as it actually helps you fall asleep faster and improve your sleep quality. Unlike prescriptions, valerian isn’t actually dangerous and doesn’t give you a weird effect the next day. You can even combine it with other calming herbs like chamomile and lemon balm.
4. Passionflower Tea
If your brain is like a computer with many tabs open, then passionflower might do you wonders. This flowering vine is a herbal remedy that increases your brain levels of GABA, which is responsible for relaxation. Unlike sleep aids, passionflower actually helps you to unwind without the risk of dependency and exhaustion the morning after. It’s a gentle way to shut off a racing mind.
3. Ashwagandha Moon Milk
This beverage is something that you might have seen on social media. It’s actually a powerful Ayurvedic remedy made by modern stress. Moon milk simply combines warm milk with ashwagandha, which is a herb that lowers cortisol levels and combats chronic stress. It promotes a sense of calm, making it easier to fall asleep. You can also add warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg to balance your blood sugar levels overnight.
2. Magnesium-Enhanced Sleep Drinks
Did you know that up to 80% of adults are deficient in magnesium? It’s a mineral that’s responsible for the 300 biochemical reactions of your body. Yes, that includes sleep and relaxation. The lack of magnesium can lead to anxiety and difficulty sleeping. Luckily, you can replenish your magnesium levels through drinks with magnesium glycinate. It can also be infused with magnesium L-threonate, a newer form that has been shown to have superior absorption in the brain.
1. Tart Cherry Juice Mocktail
It’s upgrading from pies! Tart cherry juice is packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. But its secret actually lies in its high concentration of natural melatonin, which is a hormone that regulates your sleep-wake cycle. Drinking tart cherry juice can increase melatonin levels for improved sleep duration and quality. Try to combine it with sparkling water and squeezed lime to create a mocktail that supports your body’s natural repair process.