We all know sleep is important, yet according to the CDC, approximately 35% of US adults get less than the recommended 7 hours of sleep. For optimal health and wellbeing, sleep is a necessity! While work, family, friends, and even late-night television can lead to shortened sleep or restless nights, it’s important to practice good sleep habits. Adults need a minimum of 7 hours of sleep per night as recommended by the CDC, anything less than that is defined as “short sleep” and may negatively impact your health. Lack of sleep puts you at risk for obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, poor mental health, and reduced recovery, just to name a few. In order to properly recharge and recover, we need adequate rest! It’s time to improve your sleep habits and sleep smarter with these natural sleep aids.
You may be a dropper away from your next restful night’s sleep! If you’re looking for a natural sleep-aid alternative, give CBD, or cannabidiol, a try. While CBD has been researched for its ability to reduce anxiety, reduce inflammation, promote a relaxed state, and alleviate chronic pain, research has now linked CBD with improved sleep.
CBD is part of the cannabinoid family, which is a chemical that binds to receptors in the central nervous system and acts as chemical messengers. CBD works by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system, a system which is responsible for helping the body maintain a state of balance or homeostasis for certain body functions including mood, appetite and sleep regulation.
There’s no need to worry, unlike THC, CBD isn’t psychoactive – you won’t get “high”. Instead, you’ll benefit from all the medicinal properties of marijuana without the mind-altering side effects. In a report from the World Health Organization, “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential…. To date, there is no evidence of public health related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.” While there is virtually no risk, it’s still important to choose a high-quality brand of CBD. CBD is sold as a supplement rather than a medication, so there is no FDA regulation on the safety and purity. With CBD in high-demand, there are a lot of brands on the market; it’s important to do your research before purchasing!
Nanocraft CBD is our trusted brand of choice. With organic farming, raw hemp processing, and thorough lab testing, this local San Diego company goes above and beyond to ensure superior quality products. While CBD alone will help promote a restful night’s sleep, Nanocraft has formulated a specific Nighttime Blend to help ensure you get quality rest. Calming lavender, 5-HTP and melatonin in combination with Broad Spectrum CBD make up this nightly blend, helping you rest and recover, getting a restorative sleep!
Float your way to a better night’s sleep. With never ending to-do lists and high stress lifestyles, it may feel impossible to relax let alone get a restful night’s sleep. Sleep loss can affect stress levels, mood, immune function, metabolism, and overall wellness. Don’t let this be you! If you’re having trouble falling or staying asleep, try booking a Float Therapy session at San Diego's best spa, Livkraft Wellness La Jolla.
Float Therapy is a form of sensory deprivation. When you’re inside the float pod, you essentially cut off all external stimuli. With water the same temperature as your skin, no lights, no touch, and no sound, all while floating in 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt, your body has nothing to respond to. All you have is you and your thoughts. While awake, the conscious mind produces beta waves present during periods of active thinking or problem solving, keeping us alert and attentive. These beta waves are what keep us up at night, preventing our mind from entering a relaxed state. The calming nature of the float pod causes a shift in brain waves, transforming brain waves from beta to alpha. Alpha waves are the resting state for the brain, present during periods of calmness and deep relaxation. The final shift occurs during the change of alpha to theta, when your mind enters into a dream like state. During this state you may experience deep relaxation, vivid imagery and increased creativity beyond normal consciousness; it’s during this state you border between consciousness and subconsciousness.
The result? A deeply relaxed, rejuvenated version of yourself. While your mind lets go of stress and anxiety, your body benefits as well. While free-floating, you’re able to defy gravity. Take all tension off your joints and muscles while your skin absorbs all the muscle-relaxing magnesium from the Epsom salt. Walk out of your float session relaxed, refreshed, and prepared for a restful night’s sleep.
Let’s face it, with all the technology at our disposal, we are connected 24/7. How often do you scroll on your phone while lying in bed? Finish up work on your laptop? Doze off to the tv screen? You’ve likely been told to stay off your screen before bed time, or maybe you’ve heard of blue-blocking glasses, but do you know why? While it may seem insignificant, light impacts our sleep more than we may realize.
Your natural circadian clock uses light to measure whether your body should be awake or asleep. Any light exposure will impact your circadian rhythm and therefore sleep patterns, which is why it’s so important to be conscious of the color light you’re exposed to at certain times of the day.
During the day, blue light is beneficial. Blue wave lengths (think a clear blue sky) boost attention times, reaction, and mood. As we wind down the day we want to avoid blue light, preferably two to three hours before bed. Research has shown that blue light, more than any other colored light, suppresses the production of melatonin, therefore reducing the quality and quantity of sleep. When you are connected to technology at night, the blue light exposure tricks your body into thinking it’s daytime, signaling to your brain to stay awake.
To avoid the suppression of melatonin, exposure to red light in the evening is ideal. With a lower temperature, red light has been shown to increase production of melatonin, the sleep hormone, promoting a relaxing and restful night’s sleep.
Not only will your sleep improve, but with consistent use of red-light therapy, your overall health will improve! For the best red light therapy experience in San Diego, head to Livkraft La Jolla. Exposure to Livkraft’s Joovv whole-body red light therapy (a quick 16-minute treatment) promotes mitochondrial regeneration, improved performance, increased testosterone in men, reduced pain and inflammation, and improved skin quality/health through increased collagen.
High-quality sleep is important for our overall health. Just as we prioritize diet and exercise, sleep is equally if not more important! Schedule an appointment at Livkraft to catch up on those Zs with these natural sleep-enhancing tricks, achieving the restful night’s sleep your body deserves to rest and recover.
