Insomnia is a sleep disorder that will cause the sufferer great difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep. The short-term effects of insomnia can include daytime fatigue, forgetfulness and increased irritability, while the long-term effects of poor sleep can really take its toll on one’s body and in turn on their overall health. Therefore, it’s a problem that should be tackled.
I’m glad to say my own nights of insomnia are only sporadic and, like many, are reserved for the nights when my body seems to need the most rest, such as the night prior to a busy work day.
Whether I’m having one of my restless nights, or one of my little ones is having trouble nodding off, I always find the only solution to hand, in the small hours of the night, is a cup of hot milk. This is what my mother would give to me on sleepless nights and probably her mother gave to her. The soothing milky aroma and the sense of nostalgia always makes me feel a little more settled hopping back into bed. However, there is some science behind that comforting cuppa.
Nessa Robins's banana peel tea. \ Nessa Robins
Science behind the milk
As well as containing a wealth of vital vitamins and minerals, milk contains an amino acid called tryptophan, which actually helps the body to produce melatonin, which is known as the sleep hormone. Melatonin is the hormone produced by the body to regulate our sleep patterns. It naturally increases as we’re approaching bedtime and gradually decreases production nearer to wakening time. There are some other foods that encourage the production of melatonin, such as oats, turkey, almonds and bananas, while bananas are also particularly rich in magnesium and potassium, which should aid a good night’s sleep, as they are both muscle relaxants.
Even though turkey can boast of its ability to help us doze off, a large meal in the hours before bedtime can prove damaging to a good night’s sleep. The body will always find it difficult to rest if the digestive system is busily breaking down the contents of a heavy meal. Foods that are high in fat and protein, as well as spicy foods, prove problematic to the digestive system late at night, while the age-old advice to avoid caffeine in the evenings still applies, for most.
Eating a well-balanced diet, combined with some daytime exercise and introducing a relaxed, screen-free bedtime routine should help in a quest for a restful night’s sleep, but there are many factors that may be contributing to one’s sleeplessness; for example, certain medication can affect your sleep pattern. Therefore, if you are finding it consistently difficult to sleep and it’s affecting your day-to-day activities, it’s always important to consult with your doctor, who can help you to identify if there is an underlying problem and in turn give you the best advice.
Read more
Nessa Robins' easy recipes for breastfeeding mothers
Nessa Robins' recipes to boost brain power for successful study
Insomnia is a sleep disorder that will cause the sufferer great difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep. The short-term effects of insomnia can include daytime fatigue, forgetfulness and increased irritability, while the long-term effects of poor sleep can really take its toll on one’s body and in turn on their overall health. Therefore, it’s a problem that should be tackled.
I’m glad to say my own nights of insomnia are only sporadic and, like many, are reserved for the nights when my body seems to need the most rest, such as the night prior to a busy work day.
Whether I’m having one of my restless nights, or one of my little ones is having trouble nodding off, I always find the only solution to hand, in the small hours of the night, is a cup of hot milk. This is what my mother would give to me on sleepless nights and probably her mother gave to her. The soothing milky aroma and the sense of nostalgia always makes me feel a little more settled hopping back into bed. However, there is some science behind that comforting cuppa.
Nessa Robins's banana peel tea. \ Nessa Robins
Science behind the milk
As well as containing a wealth of vital vitamins and minerals, milk contains an amino acid called tryptophan, which actually helps the body to produce melatonin, which is known as the sleep hormone. Melatonin is the hormone produced by the body to regulate our sleep patterns. It naturally increases as we’re approaching bedtime and gradually decreases production nearer to wakening time. There are some other foods that encourage the production of melatonin, such as oats, turkey, almonds and bananas, while bananas are also particularly rich in magnesium and potassium, which should aid a good night’s sleep, as they are both muscle relaxants.
Even though turkey can boast of its ability to help us doze off, a large meal in the hours before bedtime can prove damaging to a good night’s sleep. The body will always find it difficult to rest if the digestive system is busily breaking down the contents of a heavy meal. Foods that are high in fat and protein, as well as spicy foods, prove problematic to the digestive system late at night, while the age-old advice to avoid caffeine in the evenings still applies, for most.
Eating a well-balanced diet, combined with some daytime exercise and introducing a relaxed, screen-free bedtime routine should help in a quest for a restful night’s sleep, but there are many factors that may be contributing to one’s sleeplessness; for example, certain medication can affect your sleep pattern. Therefore, if you are finding it consistently difficult to sleep and it’s affecting your day-to-day activities, it’s always important to consult with your doctor, who can help you to identify if there is an underlying problem and in turn give you the best advice.
Read more
Nessa Robins' easy recipes for breastfeeding mothers
Nessa Robins' recipes to boost brain power for successful study
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