7 ways to increase your beauty sleep

It’s hard as a mum to get a great night sleep, however there are steps you can take to increase your chances of getting some beauty sleep!

Here are 7 ways to achieve better sleep:

1) Calm inflammation

Anti-inflammatory treatments such as fish oil and turmeric are proven to assist in dampening down inflamed processes in the body. Chronic inflammation causes elevated cortisol, and agitation of the nervous system, which can lead to a disturbed sleep.

2) Embrace magnesium

Nutritionists refer to magnesium as ‘the great calmer’. It is always best to get our vitamins and our minerals from whole foods such as green leafy vegetables, seeds and nuts.

3) Go for glutamine

This amino acid converts to the sleep promoting neurotransmitter GABA. Animal proteins represent one of the richest sources of glutamine. Good sources include dairy products like organic milk, unsweetened yogurt, ricotta cheese and cottage cheese as well as chicken, beef and fish.

4) Do not starve

Some people require a light snack before bed to promote better sleep. When you pair tryptophan-containing foods with carbohydrates, it may help calm the brain and allow you to sleep more deeply. For others, eating can lead to indigestion. Experiment with snacks like a half of turkey sandwich, a small bowl of muesli, or wholegrain cereal.

5) Step away from the stimulants

Both alcohol and caffeine can interfere with the quality of sleep you have. Alcohol may initially make you tired however many of us will wake and from the affects of alcohol and feel tired but wired.

6) Reduce liquids

After 6pm limit the water, juice, tea or other fluids you that may result in frequent toilet trips throughout the night. Caffeinated drinks, which act as diuretics, may lead to an unrestful night and a full bladder.

7) Drink alkalising minerals

Potassium citrate is an alkalising mineral, which assists in calming the nervous systems. Our nervous system needs to be alkaline to initiate sleep.

Do you have any tips to add to these? Please share in the comments below.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock.com

We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.

24 Comments

- - rachelvk said
  - 03 Feb 2016
    9:25 am
Thanks for these great tips. My other tip is no technology in/ near bed (i.e. no surfing your phone just before you nod off).

- - crystalangela said
  - 12 Jan 2016
    7:46 pm
Thanks for this good article. I think I need to follow every step.

- - mom57665 said
  - 28 Sep 2015
    12:15 am
This is such a great article. I think my body needs everything in this article

- - mom81333 said
  - 26 Sep 2015
    5:10 pm
Will take these tips on board to get a better quality sleep.

- - Melanie said
  - 23 Sep 2015
    12:56 pm
Some great ideas here.

- - jellybean01 said
  - 16 Sep 2015
    10:12 pm
I could definitely do with some more beauty sleep! might have to try some of these helpful tips

- - mom81879 said
  - 16 Sep 2015
    7:29 pm
I would need to sleep for a looooooong time if I wanted to improve my looks. Bahahahaha. Bags under the eyes, sagginess and wrinkles……not fixed by sleep :/

- - coastalkaryn said
  - 15 Sep 2015
    6:57 pm
I have had way too much beauty sleep – said no woman ever!

- - mom81879 said
  - 05 Sep 2015
    7:43 am
I suffer from arthritis so my body is riddled with inflammation. I used to take fish oil tablets until I read regular use depletes your vitamin D. Avoiding the “blue” light from mobiles, iPads, iPods, laptops, TVs etc is also meant to be good to promote sleep

- - mom94125 said
  - 22 Aug 2015
    7:55 pm
i’m amazed that put down the phone or laptop and get off facebook, isn’t on this list lol
- mom94125 replied
  
  29 Aug 2015 , 7:13 pm
  thanks for making and posting this list
- - ahealthyview said
  - 12 Aug 2015
    10:15 pm
I know I had three babies under 4 years old and an absent husband… but then my health and my immune system suffered. I created a routine and when I could I would grab some sleep

- - mom113055 said
  - 12 Aug 2015
    8:14 pm
it s hard to ave a sleep or nap when you have a child

- - mom150983 said
  - 12 Aug 2015
    9:31 am
Number 4 sure is a great tip

- - EllenG89 said
  - 09 Aug 2015
    6:05 am
Very interesting read and something we could all benefit from!

- - Carolineb said
  - 06 Aug 2015
    3:35 pm
Love the tips. Thanks.

- - cherz said
  - 06 Aug 2015
    2:04 pm
Love the tips ..especially the last one, as I did not know about this one. Potassium citrate, would have loved if you had included foods rich in this or can you just pop a pill, will have to do some google searching.
- cherz replied
  
  06 Aug 2015 , 2:32 pm
  Yep, done some research of my own but would like more info on Potassium Citrate as I have read about warnings. thanx.
- - mom74640 said
  - 06 Aug 2015
    9:42 am
Lke it

- - mum4107 said
  - 06 Aug 2015
    4:53 am
I would sleep fine if my toddler Did lol

- - Missey Grace said
  - 05 Aug 2015
    9:54 pm
Very sensible tips, thanks for sharing.

- - mom67623 said
  - 05 Aug 2015
    8:57 pm
good idea to for me do is my meditation tapes or soothing music too, to unwind the mind ,relaxation is te way for me to move into a more tranquil state you see..