Insomnia can be a literal killer. So can a noisy brain. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine says you need at least seven hours of shut-eye a night, but that's a lot easier said than done when your brain refuses to shut up or acquiesce to sleep at all.
But don't give up on a good night's rest just yet, because the solution might be sitting right in your kitchen. Beyond the usual bedtime snacks, there are specific drinks that act as natural sleep aids to help you actually stay out once you drift off. These beverages are packed with ingredients that don't just benefit your health. They're actually scientifically backed to help you maintain a better sleep schedule.
By making a simple trip to your pantry, you can swap the tossing and turning for actual quality rest. If you're ready to stop fighting your pillow, here are the best drinks to help you finally pass out and stay that way.
What should you not drink before bed?
There are some drinks you should avoid before bed because they can negatively affect your sleep. Alcohol is one such example, as it can cause fragmented sleep, reduced rapid eye movement sleep and even insomnia. Breathing problems can worsen and sleep apnea can rear its ugly head. One study showed that total sleep was decreased by 1 hour after the consumption of caffeine 6 hours before sleep. Alcohol also causes frequent urination, causing you to get up throughout the night.
Caffeine is another example of a beverage that should be avoided before bed. Coffee, soda and even chocolate hold enough caffeine to affect your sleep, and the added sugar not only keeps you up at night but also puts you at risk for a host of other health issues like diabetes and heart disease. WebMD suggests completely eliminating all caffeine for two weeks. After that, you can try slowly introducing caffeine back into your diet, but you should cease immediately if you start to have trouble sleeping again.
10 best drinks for sleep
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While some drinks will keep you awake, there are drinks for sleep that will help you fall asleep -- and stay asleep -- without trouble. Before bed, try a cup of one of these beverages that contain natural ingredients to help induce sleep.
Chamomile tea
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