Natural Ways To Reduce Anxiety 😳& Get Better Sleep

Natural Ways To Reduce Anxiety

😳 And Get Better Sleep 😴

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Get Moving

Exercising can naturally help you sleep better by raising dopamine levels, which in turn reduce anxiety and depression. Avoid exercising too close to your bed time, however, as this may make it more difficult to fall asleep soon after. Cognitive hypnotherapist Lesley McCall suggests having at least three hours between exercise and sleep in order to give your body ample time to wind down and prepare for rest.

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Watch What You Eat

Avoid devouring large meals before bedtime. Along with the discomfort of being stuffed, large meals take the body longer to digest, thus leaving you more tired when you wake. Conversely, going to bed hungry can be just as disruptive.Dr. David L. Katz recommends fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains for sound slumber as these "tend to produce a slow, steady rise in blood insulin that helps the amino acid tryptophan enter the brain. Tryptophan is used to make serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps induce sleepiness along with improving your mood".
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Adjust Room Temperature

Try adjusting the temperature of the bedroom for a more optimal sleeping environment. According to Jennifer Trachtenberg, M.D., FAAP, you should aim for somewhere between 68 and 72 degrees. For easier temperature regulation throughout the night, ditch the singular heavy comforter and opt for piling on light layers that can be easily kicked off as needed.

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Make The Bedroom A Bedroom 

According to The Mayo Clinic, the ideal bedroom should be three things: Cool, dark and quiet. It may be time to invest in earplugs, an eye mask or even heavier curtains to block out extra light and sound. Don't be afraid to give fidgeting pets the boot and avoid eating, watching television or finishing work in the bedroom. Instead, make the space strictly for sleep and sex only. 

🛑 Sign Off
Don't ruminate. Practice "thought-stopping" where you only allow yourself to worry about a problem during daytime hours. Refrain from checking texts and e-mails (physically banish your cell to a different room if necessary!) before and during your bedtime routine. McCall suggests doing a "brain dump" before bed, in which you spend 10 minutes writing down what is on your mind. Whether you're making a to-do list or merely scribbling by minute eight, leave everything on the page.
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Channel Your Inner Yogi  

Relaxing stretching and meditative breathing can help reduce anxiety and leave you more at ease and ready to put your body to rest. Follow a gentle sequence, such as the "night time flow" featured in this video, designed to help prepare the body for a restful slumber by quieting the mind and soothing the nervous system. In the clip, Jason Crandell reminds "Practicing with a receptive, non-striving tone is essential for relaxation and moving into a state of sleep." 

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Start A Sleep Diary 

Keeping a sleep diary can both help you maintain a consistent sleep schedule and reveal the possible culprit (or culprits) behind your difficulty falling asleep naturally. Create your own sleep diary following a general template and use it in conjunction with a visit to your doctor to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.