6 Drinks To Help You Sleep

Drink To Help You Sleep.

If you’re struggling to get off to the land of nod, then in might be worth looking into some drinks that can possibly aid you in your quest.  And no, we’re not talking about alcoholic beverages either! Drinks to help you sleep have been around for time immemorial. Many of us can remember having a warm glass of milk before bedtime as children.  Indeed, as we get older a lot of us swop such rituals for either caffeinated or alcoholic drinks on an evening.  Both of which can severely hamper sleep. Here are our top 6 drinks to help you sleep and get the rest you deserve.

1. Warm Milk.

One of the best know drinks to help you sleep is undoubtedly warm milk. Parents have used this time served tradition for decades to aid their children’s sleep.  Indeed, unless you are lactose intolerant, a glass of warm milk can be just as beneficial to adults. The reason warm milk can help you sleep is because it is packed with sleep inducing nutrients such as magnesium and tryptophan.

2. Almond Milk.

If you are lactose intolerant or living a dairy free lifestyle, then almond milk is a great alternative to cow’s milk.  Indeed, almond milk also contains magnesium and tryptophan. In fact, violet oil which is made from almonds or sesame seeds has been used in traditional Iranian medicine to treat insomnia for years.

3. Chamomile Tea.

If having a milky drink is not for you then another well know drink to help you sleep is chamomile tea. As well as being caffeine free, researchers believe that the reason chamomile tea can aid sleep is due to its flavonoid content. Apigenin is flavonoid that binds to the same receptors in the brain as benzodiazepines (drugs used for anxiety and insomnia), producing a sedative effect. 

4. Valerian Tea.

Valerian tea is a lesser know drink that can help you to sleep. Indeed, valerian tea is readily available in most health food stores and online. Valerian root contains two substances, valepotriates and sesquiterpenes that have sedative effects. Indeed, valerian can also be used for treating anxiety because of these effects. Unfortunately, it does have a bitter taste which can be negated by adding a small amount of honey.

5. Banana Smoothie.

If you thought smoothies were just for mornings, then think again. Indeed, banana smoothies are a great bedtime drink and can be a great option for those that prefer cold drinks. This is because bananas have high levels of serotonin and melatonin which can aid relaxation of the nervous system. Furthermore, bananas also contain magnesium which can help to relax muscles.

6. Lavender Tea.

Lavender is another well know plant that is useful for aiding relaxation. However, not many people realise that it can be made into a drink.  If you’ve got some lavender in the garden, it makes sense to brew your own tea. You can read how to make lavender tea here.  Lavender tea is naturally soothing and calming making it the ideal night cap.