Seven Super Foods for Good Sleep 10-9-08

by Sheryl Walters

Sleep is essential for our health and wellbeing. It allows our body to rejuvenate and restore itself. Sleep deprivation is one of the biggest causes of aging. Tiredness can also affect your mood and how you feel. Chronic tiredness can increase your risk of depression and anxiety. It can also affect the way that you respond and react to the people around you.

It can also affect your cognitive ability and your ability to use your brain. This can cause you to be less constructive and creative. It can also decrease your ability to think quickly which may impair your ability to drive or do daily tasks.

There is no set amount of time that everyone needs to sleep, since it varies from person to person. Studies indicate that people are generally most effective when they sleep an average of 7 hours, but people can find anywhere between 5 and 7 hours okay for them.

Insomnia can be caused by deficiencies in certain nutrients. The foods that we eat can help us to gain those nutrients and help us sleep. These 7 super foods can help us get a good night's sleep at last so that we can feel refreshed and energized in our daily life.

Bananas

Bananas are a delicious sleepy time fruit. They balance melatonin and serotonin levels, which are the neurotransmitters necessary for deep sleep. They also contain magnesium, which is a muscle relaxant.

Chamomile tea

Chamomile is a mild sedative that calms and relaxes, making it the perfect natural antidote for restless minds and bodies. You can add 1 drop of Roman Chamomile in your favorite green or tea blend for variety.

Honey

While sugar is stimulating, honey helps the brain to turn off because it contains orexin, a recently discovered neurotransmitter that's linked to alertness.

Potatoes

Potatoes contain tryptophan, which will ensure you get your ZZZZZZZZs. Turkey is a better source! Do not eat potatoes if you have any inflammatory or pain conditions because potatoes will worsen those issues.

Oatmeal

Oats are a rich source of sleep inducing melatonin

Almonds

A handful of my favorite food can help one relax and unwind because they contain the snooze helping nutrients tryptophan and magnesium.

Flaxseeds

Flaxseeds are a rich source omega-3 fatty acids, which make them a natural mood lifter. They are one of the 7 super foods for a good night's rest. Note: The omega 3 found in flaxseed is not anti-inflammatory like fish oil, but still has good uses.