By: Rex "Ito Domo" Fortu
It’s happening again. You’re lying in bed and you just keep and tossing and turning. The lights are turned off, you have fluffed out your pillows, and you’ve counted more sheep that you can keep track of. You check the time, discovering that it’s already half-past midnight and you still can’t sleep.
Does this happen to you, too? Are you a part of the large percentage of people suffering from insomnia? According to statistics, the Philippines was ranked as one of the top ten countries experiencing sleep deprivation as the Filipinos, along with other nationalities that suffer from lack of sleep. Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that can make falling asleep difficult, hard to remain asleep, or cause a person to wake up too early and not be able to sleep again. It negatively affects a person’s physical and mental health causing anxiety, depression, mood swings, memory problems, weight gain and difficulty to focus.
Chronic insomnia is typically a result of oxidative stress or habits that interrupt sleep. Its common causes include excessive thinking, stressful life events, jet lag from traveling across different time zones, frequently changing work shifts, nicotine in tobacco products, prolonged exposure to electronic gadgets such as cellphones and computers, eating too much late in the evening, and drinking coffee, softdrinks, and other caffeinated drinks at night.
Fortunately, we can prevent insomnia naturally by doing the following!
- Eating magnesium-rich foods like almonds, cashews and green, leafy vegetables.
- Eating light meals at least two hours before bed to prevent heartburn throughout the night.
- Being physically active and exercising for at least 30 minutes a day, preferably in the morning or afternoon.
- Taking a warm shower few hours before bed.
- Listening to slow, gentle music or nature sounds.
- Wearing pajamas, sleepwear or silk nighties. This can psychologically condition the mind that you are going to sleep.
- Having a nighttime ritual and drinking tea.
Wait a minute, drinking tea? Doesn’t tea contain caffeine? Yes, true teas such as black tea, green tea, and oolong tea contain caffeine which can interfere with sleep but drinking other types of tea can actually help you fall asleep faster. With that being said, what is the best tea for bedtime? It’s none other than Chamomile tea!
Chamomile is an herb traditionally used to soothe digestion and reduce muscle tension. Its flowers promote calmness and reduce anxiety. It is a natural sedative and acts as a mild tranquilizer. It has been used for hundreds of years as a sleep aid. It contains apigenin, a flavonoid which serves multiple physiological functions such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral. Apigenin also induces sleepiness when it binds to the GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) receptors in the brain which enables the body and mind to relax and fall asleep. One of the easiest and natural ways to consume chamomile is through tea. Chamomile tea has been proven and tested through the years for sleep management.
We can make a deep sleep foundation by having a sleep routine or a nighttime ritual. To make your nighttime Chamomile tea, start by boiling water. Take out your teapot and prepare the brew. Smell the tea as it steeps. Wrap your hands around the warm cup and slowly drink the hot beverage. Appreciate your DIY tea ceremony and enjoy this little “me time.” Make Chamomile Tea a part of your bedtime routine and experience calmness, relaxation and most importantly a good night’s rest.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER, CREATE YOUR OWN ACCOUNT:
If you're enjoying our blogs and posts, create a free account at #BFHLifestyle here and be on the front-row seat of what's happening in the world of teas and coffee!
CHECKOUT OUR PRODUCTS HERE: