Top 3 Sleep Supplements

Might supplements be an answer for poor sleep?

So far we’ve looked at the 5 different lifestyle strategies for Fixing Your Sleep.

(Click HERE for links to all 5.)

Bonus!  Here’s another strategy that may help – supplements.

Too stressed out to sleep?

There are many different reasons why people struggle to get to sleep, or wake up too early and find it difficult to get back to sleep.

It may be due to stress, anxiety and worry, all of which will have a negative affect on your body’s hormones and systems.

Chronic stress will deplete serotonin, which is the neurotransmitter that is the primary defence against both depression and anxiety.

This can be due to not eating enough pro-serotonin foods – protein and good fats.  Proteins break down into amino acids, such as tryptophan, tyrosine and taurine, which are the building blocks of neurotransmitters like serotonin (from tryptophan), dopamine (from tyrosine) and GABA (from taurine).

Many of us consume too many foods and drinks that deplete serotonin foods – caffeinated drinks, soda pop, “diet” drinks or highly processed, fast food that are full of sugar, rancid fats, chemical additives, caffeine, starch, and are highly processed.

As well, skipping meals depletes the vitamins and minerals (calcium, magnesium, Vitamin D, B vitamins), which are cofactors in conversion of the amino acids to the neurotransmitters – for example, tryptophan will convert to 5-HTP, then serotonin, and then melatonin.

Instead choose fresh, nutrient rich foods instead, eating regularly to maintain levels of stress-fighting chemicals.

But when food and lifestyle alone aren’t enough, you might want to try supplements.  

Please note that these are general guidelines only.  Ensure that you seek advice from your health care practitioner or at your local health food store before embarking on a supplement plan.

Here are my top supplement recommendations for sleep.

 1.  Supplements that Boost Serotonin

• Tryptophan, taken between meals so there is less competition from other amino acids
• 5-HTP, which will convert to serotonin and then melatonin
• Melatonin, so as not to drain your stores of serotonin
• And some supplements will combine 5-HTP and melatonin for longer lasting effectiveness

2.  GABA (gamma amino butyric acid)

• Nature’s stress-buster, functions as a natural stress fighter.
• Acts to calm down the nervous system, and turn off “excitatory” chemicals like adrenalin.
• Occurs naturally in the body but can be depleted by too much stress
• While you may not escape stressful circumstances GABA may be able to change your response to those circumstances.

3.  Rescue Remedy

• A combination of five Bach Flower Remedies all working on emotional imbalances associated with daily stressful situations:  
• Rock Rose - for terror and panic
• Impatiens - for irritation and impatience
• Clematis - for inattentiveness and to counteract faintness
• Star of Bethlehem - for shock
• Cherry Plum - for irrational thoughts and lack of self control
• BONUS: "Rescue Sleep" combines Rescue Remedy for natural stress relief with another Bach flower remedy, White Chestnut, traditionally used to relieve mental overactivity and sleeplessness.  Keep it by your bedside for those times when you just can't get back to sleep.
• I find Rescue Remedy very effective in stressful situations, such as public speaking or flying, and yes, sleep.
• Safe for animals!  The holistic vet I take my cats to recommends Rescue Remedy for stress and behavioural issues.

 Let me know if there are any other supplements that you find helpful! 

So What's Next?

Here’s a Sneak Peak of the new 

SLEEP SCHOOL!

15 days, Five habits, 1 goal

· Education, Coaching

· Accountability, Empowerment

· Five Habits that make a difference

· Coaching and accountability to keep you on track

· Change is possible!

Great Sleep is only 2 weeks away

· Together, we can do this!

COMING SOON!