7-foods-that-help-you-sleep-and-other-tips-for-catching-zs

4-minute read

Not only does a healthy diet keep your waistline in check and protect against disease, it also can help you get more z's. If you're having trouble getting some shut-eye, add specific foods that help you sleep to your diet — and avoid those that don't.

1-in-3 chance of insomnia

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, up to 35% of adults experience insomnia, an inability to fall or stay asleep, at some point in their lives.

Occasionally missing a good night's sleep is pretty common and nothing to be too concerned about. But if you have lots of sleepless nights, you probably have insomnia, which isn't good for your health. There are two forms of insomnia:

• Chronic insomnia — With this condition, you have trouble sleeping three or more times a week for three months or longer. This is the less common type of insomnia, with about 1 in 10 people experiencing it.
• Short-term insomnia — Like chronic insomnia, you have trouble sleeping three or more times a week, but the condition generally resolves within three months. Short-term insomnia is twice as common as chronic insomnia.

Other common symptoms of insomnia include fatigue, difficulty concentrating, increased irritability, or moodiness. Chronic poor sleep also increases your chance of having an accident due to sleepiness as well as your risk for cancer, heart conditions, and obesity.

Improve sleep with these 7 foods

No single food will immediately put you to sleep, but regular consumption of certain foods might help. In addition to containing other ingredients that are good for sleep, many of the foods listed below affect serotonin, which helps regulate your sleep cycle.

1. Cherries — Consumed whole or in juice, cherries, particularly the tart variety, may aid in sleep. They also contain antioxidants, which protect your body from insomnia-related conditions, such as heart attack and cancer.
2. Herbal tea — Chamomile and other herbal teas contain ingredients that promote sleep. These may help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
3. Leafy green vegetables — In one study, medical students in Pakistan who ate more leafy greens got better sleep than those who did not.
4. Milk — Milk has melatonin, which helps your body get into a good sleep cycle, and tryptophan, an amino acid that helps produce sleep-inducing chemicals. Warm milk may be more effective than cold milk since warm liquids can have a calming effect.
5. Nuts — Certain types of nuts, including pistachios, cashews, and walnuts, have melatonin. Peanut butter contains tryptophan.
6. Salmon — Fatty fish, such as salmon, contain many vitamins and minerals, some of which may help your body regulate serotonin. Vitamin B6 and magnesium, also found in salmon, can have a positive impact on sleep.
7. Soybeans — These contain phytoestrogens, which mimic estrogen to modulate sleep quality and duration.

Can food make insomnia worse?

There are foods that help you sleep and foods that do the opposite. Some of the biggest sleep stealers are foods high in refined carbohydrates. Common culprits include:

• Cakes
• Cookies
• Sodas
• White bread

These high glycemic index foods are low in nutrients and full of empty calories. You'll experience a quick bump in your blood sugar, followed by an equally quick drop. This sudden drop makes it hard to sleep.

Acid reflux can also lead to tossing and turning in bed. Avoiding certain acid reflux triggers — smoking and fatty foods, for example — can help you sleep better.

It's also a good idea to skip late-night snacks and alcohol. Alcohol may help you fall asleep, but the effect doesn't last. Alcohol can cause you to sleep poorly, leaving you feeling unrested in the morning.

Sleep tips beyond your fork

Before loading up on foods to help you sleep, keep in mind no food guarantees a refreshing sleep. Practicing good sleep hygiene is also important.

For the best chance at a good night's sleep, try the following bedtime hacks:

• Avoid caffeine after lunch. Caffeine is a stimulant, which keeps you alert. If you nix coffee, tea, and sodas but still struggle to sleep well, check your medication labels. Some prescription and over-the-counter medications contain caffeine.
• Exercise regularly, but not a few hours before going to bed. Working out too close to bedtime can make it hard to fall asleep. However, some calm, gentle stretching may help.
• Get outside every day. Your internal clock helps you know when to go to sleep. Soaking up a little sun every day helps your internal clock function properly. Aim for at least 30 minutes daily.
• Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day. Spend the hour before bed getting ready to sleep. Go through the same relaxing routine every night.
• Make your bedroom a sleep haven. Keep it cool and dark, and eliminate as much noise as possible. Make sure your phone and other electronic devices are set to night mode, so the blue light from their screens doesn't keep you awake.

Need a little more help getting good quality sleep? Visit the Reid Health Sleep Center.