How To Get Great Sleep

Have you found yourself in the awful cycle of poor sleeping habits you can't seem to shake? 

Are you tired of having to resort to prescription drugs in order to fall and stay asleep for most of the night?

Do you find yourself tossing and turning more nights than not?

DO YOU JUST REALLY WANT TO FEEL MORE RESTED AND ALIVE WHEN YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING?!

This information is for you.

A Great Day Starts With A Great Night Of Quality Sleep

The golden key to getting the best sleep of your life (on a nightly basis) may be this one little mineral that most people don’t pay much attention to.

This mineral is responsible for at least 300 biochemical reactions in your body. These reactions are vital to optimum functioning and a long healthy life!

Today the star of the show is…

MAGNESIUM.

Magnesium is important for nearly every function that goes on in your body! It helps to keep the immune system running smoothly, prevents inflammation, boosts your cardiovascular system, helps fuel all your cells with energy, supports DNA and RNA and plays a major role in maintaining cell life!

A study done at Harvard University found that taking magnesium daily was linked to a 33% reduced risk of diabetes.

According to Dr. Mercola, 80% of the population is DEFICIENT in this vital nutrient.

Magnesium deficiency also leads to vitamin D3 deficiency because these two nutrients work together throughout your body. Deficiency in one of these key players almost always leads to deficiency in the other.

Not to mention vitamin D is connected to calcium and you could be deficient there too. Your body is beautiful and intricate and complex – everything is connected. Deficiencies in one nutrient can cause chain reactions, which is why I advocate eating a variety of healthy, organic food to supply your body with as many vital nutrients as possible.

Magnesium and vitamin D3 are both imperative to hormone regulation and getting a good night’s sleep!

Symptoms of magnesium deficiency include:

  • muscle weakness
  • muscle spasms
  • muscle cramps
  • depression
  • unstable mood
  • constipation
  • impaired cognitive function
  • PMS
  • anxiety
  • loss of appetite
  • headaches/migraines
  • nausea
  • fatigue

Because there are so many different symptoms, it can be hard to decide if you’re really deficient in magnesium or if something else is going on. To test deficiency, add magnesium rich foods to your diet to see if you notice a difference.

I also take 1-2 tbsp of CALM every night. CALM is my favorite magnesium supplement. I just add this to a cup of hot water and sip like tea.

Magnesium Rich Foods

The absolute best way to optimize your magnesium levels is through organically bound magnesium, which is found in whole foods.

The recommended daily magnesium intake in 400 mg for adults and children older than 4.

Dark Leafy Greens

I talk about dark leafy greens all the time because a diet full of them has been linked to longevity, reduced risk of illness and disease and in general, better health. The best choices for high magnesium content would include kale, swiss chard, turnip greens, collard greens and cooked spinach.

Nuts And Seeds

Pumpkin seeds, squash seeds, brazil nuts, hazelnuts, pine nuts, pecans, flaxseed and sunflower seeds are all excellent sources of magnesium. Eat just ½ cup of pumpkin seeds and you’ll get 100% your daily need for magnesium!

Fish

Fish like salmon, tuna and mackerel (wild caught whenever possible) will not only give you a magnesium boost, but will also supply you with vitamin D.

Beets

Beets are nutritional powerhouses and natural cleansers. They also contain about 23 milligrams of magnesium per serving. Don’t forget about the beet greens – they contain more nutrients than even the roots.

Avocado

Loaded with healthy fats and disease-fighting nutrients, avocados also contain a good portion of your daily magnesium needs.

Artichoke

A great source of fiber and antioxidants, 1 cup of artichoke leaves and hearts contain 71 milligrams of magnesium.

Bananas

You will find 32 milligrams of magnesium per medium sized banana! Whoa!

Fennel

1 bulb of fennel has about 40 milligrams of magnesium. We use fennel all the time in juice recipes because it is so good for your digestion! It also supports the immune system, brain and cardiovascular system.

Dark Chocolate

Another reason to indulge in one of your favorite tasty treats! Just one square of dark chocolate contains 24% of your daily magnesium needs. Try eating a small piece of 75% dark chocolate or a cup of dark berries to satisfy your sweet tooth after meals.  

Sleep-Time Juice Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 2 stems of fennel
  • 2 beets (greens and roots)
  • 1/4 lemon

Instructions: 

  1. Wash all produce and feed into juicer.
  2. Drink at night before you go to bed.
A lot of people think they have to turn to pharmaceutical drugs when they are experiencing trouble sleeping. Although drugs may bring short-term relief, they do little or nothing to solve the underlying cause, which may lead to dependency.

Most often, you can find better sleep through changing your lifestyle and eating habits.

Regular mental and physical exercise are also great ways to ensure a good night’s sleep.

Trust me, although it may not feel like it sometimes, your body WANTS to get a proper night’s rest! If you are unable to sleep well then there is something going on in your body. You just have to learn to listen and honor these signals. They are your body’s way of aiding in your own internal healing.

I know it can be challenging sometimes…

But remember, we’re in this together.

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