If you’re an insomniac, a highly strung individual, or a person whose life is just generally over-stimulated then this article is for you. You need to get your stress levels down, or you won’t be able to get to sleep ever again. It might seem like there are lots of different things that can help you relax; meditation, aromatherapy, yoga and all those other things people keep going on about but not so much the kind of thing that can be found in a bottle or capsule. But it turns out there are. There are supplements designed specifically for reducing stress and inducing calm with proven benefits in alleviating anxiety, reducing stress and improving mood.
Why Is Sleep So Important?
This is a question that has be asked a billion times over and it’s probably the most important one to answer before we get into the actual topic. Sleep is an essential part of good health. It’s when our bodies repair and regrow muscle, bones, and nerves. It allows our immune systems to replenish themselves so we can fight off infections, allergies, and disease. It’s also when we process and assimilate the information and experiences of the day before. If you don’t get enough sleep, you’re going to feel it the next day. You’ll be more likely to be stressed out, anxious, more prone to anger and irritability, and tired. If you keep doing this every day, you’ll be in a downward spiral of fatigue and stress. Sleep deprivation leads to decreased performance, cognition, and productivity as well as health risks such as diabetes, cancer, weight gain, heart disease, and even depression. It’s also been linked to an increased risk of death. If you’re not sleeping enough, you’re doing yourself a disservice. You need to get enough sleep, but it’s not just about the amount you’re getting for the day, it’s about the quality of that sleep as well.
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GABA
GABA stands for gamma-Aminobutyric acid and it’s one of the essential building blocks of living things. It’s a neurotransmitter, meaning it’s used for bodily functions such as communication between neurons, controlling anxiety and feelings of calm, and assisting with sleep. GABA itself is not a supplement and can’t be taken directly, but there are supplements that contain GABA precursors which can be converted into GABA in the body. GABA is a natural inhibitor of the nervous system, meaning that, if you’re able to raise GABA levels, you can calm down your nervous system which also has a natural calming effect. GABA may also help with insomnia and restlessness by calming the mind and body.
L-Theanine
L-Theanine is a naturally occurring amino acid that is found in green tea. It is one of the best supplements for stress, anxiety, and sleep in general. In fact, a lot of the supplements for sleep on this list also contain Theanine, because it’s a key factor in their effectiveness. Theanine works as a neurotransmitter in the brain, lowering the levels of certain chemicals that cause stress and anxiety while increasing others that induce relaxation and sleepiness. Theanine is also an anti-oxidant, meaning it can protect the brain from harmful free radicals.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral that is required for hundreds of bodily functions, not just muscle and bone regrowth during sleep. It’s also used for energy production, protein synthesis, and cell growth. Magnesium is a natural relaxant, meaning it can induce calm and a sense of sleepiness by lowering your stress levels. It has been proven to have a positive effect on sleep quality.
Conclusion
Overall, supplements can be a fantastic way to help you get a better night’s sleep, reduce stress, and calm yourself down. However, it’s important to note that supplements are meant to be supplements and not replacements for good habits. Supplements are not going to solve your problems for you; you have to take them consistently and in conjunction with other healthy habits. They are meant to help you boost your wellbeing and get you back on track after a rough patch in your life. They’re not a magic solution, they’re just another way to improve your health.
