4 DIY Sleeping Aid Recipes for a Better Night’s Sleep

 

Click HERE to Discover these 80 Keto-Friendly and Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes

DIY Snore Relief Jelly for a Better Night’s Sleep

Keep this 4-ingredient Snore Relief Gel near your bedside to open up your sinuses and give you a better night’s sleep.

Snoring plagues millions of people and can disrupt sleep for those who share a bedroom with them. While it’s often considered a common annoyance, snoring can be indicative of an underlying sleeping disorder associated with a high body mass, depression, and negative sleeping patterns.

But before undergoing any extreme methods to correct it, try using this nightly gel remedy to gently curb your snoring without any adverse side effects.

Eucalyptus oil is an antibacterial ingredient that can be found in many over-the-counter nasal sprays, humidifiers, and seasonal allergy products. It’s been used for hundreds of years to treat respiratory issues in eastern medicine and is an anti-inflammatory that could help alleviate the underlying causes of snoring.

To make your bedside snore gel, heat water over medium heat until steaming hot.

Add in a green tea bag and steep for two minutes to allow for a stronger potency in aroma and color. Gradually whisk gelatin into the hot water and add in the eucalyptus essential oil.

Pour the mixture into an eight-ounce glass jar, cover, and refrigerate for one hour. When ready to use, remove the lid before bedtime and inhale the aroma from the jar. This will help open up your sinuses and improve your breathing.

Recipe by Jennafer Ashley

Keep this 4-ingredient Snore Relief Gel near your bedside to open up your sinuses and give you a better night’s sleep.

Tools

• Small saucepan
• Whisk
• 8-oz jar

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup water
• 3 T grass-fed gelatin powder
• 5-10 drops eucalyptus
• 1 green tea bag (optional)

How to make:

1. Heat the water over medium heat for about five minutes, or until steaming. Remove from the heat and add a green tea bag. Steep for two minutes and discard the tea bag.

• Gradually whisk in the gelatin. Add 10-15 drops of essential oil and pour the mixture into an eight-ounce jar. Refrigerate for one hour to set. Cover and store near your bedside.

How to use:

Remove the cover before bedtime and inhale deeply to help open the sinuses.

Bonus:

Sleepy time Bath Bomb Recipe by Jennafer Ashley

Ease into a restful sleep with these DIY natural fizzy bath bombs made from calming chamomile and lavender.

Tools

• 2 bath bomb molds
• Medium mixing bowl
• Spray bottle filled with water

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1/3 cup Epsom salts
• 2 T cream of tartar
• 1/4 t dried chamomile buds or tea
• 1/8 t dried lavender buds
• 5 drops lavender essential oil
• Coconut oil for greasing pods

Instructions

1. Combine dry ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. Whisk to blend and stir in lavender oil.

• Using a spray bottle, spritz water to moisten mixture as you stir. The mixture should be crumbly, but hold when squeezed.

• Lightly grease molds with coconut oil. Use a spoon to scoop mixture into molds (ice cube trays will work too) and press down firmly. If using a bomb mold, overfill each side slightly before putting together.

• Allow to set in a dry area for at least two hours.

• Loosen bombs from molds and place in warm bath water to dissolve.

Dreamy Sleep Time Drink to Help You Sleep Like a Baby

Recipe by Jennafer Ashley

Drink up this dreamy elixir with soothing chamomile and lavender to help you fall into a peaceful sleep.

Tools:

• Saucepan
• Strainer
• Measuring cup with spout

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups unsweetened almond milk
• 2 T chamomile buds
• ½ t dried lavender buds
• 1 T raw honey

Instructions:

1. Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan over low heat. Warm until steaming, but not boiling, for 7 minutes.

• Turn the heat off and allow the flavors to infuse for 5 minutes.

• Pour into a measuring cup with a strainer over it, then pour the strained tea into a mug and enjoy!

How to Make Your Own Sleepy Time Chocolate with Melatonin

Recipe by Jennafer Ashley

Keep these relaxing melatonin chocolates by your bedside to whisk you away into dreamland.

Tools:

• Double boiler
• Candy moulds or 2 ice cube trays

Ingredients:

• 12 oz unsweetened dark chocolate chips
• About 6 t liquid melatonin
• Optional: Small amount of sweetener (stevia, raw honey or coconut sugar)

Instructions:

1. In a double boiler over medium heat, melt chocolate chips. Turn heat off and stir in desired amount of melatonin and sweetener.

• Spoon chocolate evenly into 24 candy mold cavities and place in a dry, cool place to set or refrigerate until solid. Once set, pop out of molds and store in a cool spot in an airtight container.

Watch this video – [Try Listening for 3 Minutes] FALL ASLEEP FAST | DEEP SLEEP RELAXING MUSIC

Written by Jennafer Ashley

Author Bio:

Jenna is a Registered Dietetic Technician and recipe developer specializing in healthy eating. She styles and photographs recipes for her website, Fresh and Fit , as well as contributes to a variety of websites. In her free time, Jenna enjoys trying new restaurants and hiking with her German Shepherd.

A lot of people have gotten results from the Keto diet, and enjoyed the foods that it has to offer. However, many of the people who are following this diet have a hard time finding the recipes that they need, especially ones that are quick and easy to complete.

Fortunately, Kelsey Ale, noticed this problem, and decided to do something about it. She’s found that making recipes in a slow cooker gives you meals which are not only delicious, but also take very little time to make. Mostly you just put a few simple ingredients in the slow cooker, and let it do the rest.

To find out more, click on – Keto Slow Cooker Cookbook

5 Easy Ways to Create a DIY Sleep Sanctuary

 

Click HERE to Discover these 80 Keto-Friendly and Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes

5 Ways to Transform Your Bedroom into a Sleep Sanctuary

The average person will sleep for nearly 230,000 hours over the course of their life (assuming they get 8 hours of rest each night).

These hours’ amount to approximately ⅓ of your lifetime, so why not create the perfect sleep sanctuary to make your sleep as restful and relaxing as possible?

Not only is a cozy, comfortable sleep sanctuary something to look forward to at the end of the day, but since your body does most of its repair and regeneration while you’re asleep, it can also benefit your health in numerous ways. 

From hormonal balance, reduced cravings for junk food, stress relief – and even natural weight loss – the benefits of restful sleep can be felt physically and emotionally. And improving the quality of your sleep by creating a sleep sanctuary may also help accelerate your health goals.

What Is a Sleep Sanctuary?

A sleep sanctuary is a comfortable environment that promotes restful sleep for better health. The purpose of creating a sleep sanctuary is to remove distractions from your bedroom that interfere with proper sleep, as well as to improve sleep quality with materials that produce a tranquil, “chillaxed” vibe.

A sleep sanctuary involves more than just good sleep hygiene. While it’s important to avoid factors that prevent you from falling asleep at night (such as scrolling through social media and being stimulated by the blue light from your iPhone), a sleep sanctuary should also be a place that allows you to decompress and feel at ease as you enter your slumber. A sleep sanctuary is your own dark, quiet, cool place to decompress at night.

Here’s how to transform your bedroom into a sleep sanctuary in five easy steps. By optimizing your sleep environment, not only will you wake up feeling more energized and refreshed, but you’ll begin to notice the physical and mental benefits that naturally come with adequate sleep – such as increased mental focus, concentration, and a stronger immune system.

Here’s how to transform your bedroom into a DIY sleep sanctuary and reap the rewards of at-home R&R.

5 Ways to Create a DIY Sleep Sanctuary

1. Create White Noise

Falling asleep to Netflix or an audiobook may seem harmless, but even the slightest level of noise can prevent you from entering the two deepest stages of sleep: non-REM sleep and REM sleep.

REM sleep (or rapid eye movement sleep) is known for being the deepest stage of sleep when we dream, but entering this state is also when our cells repair, regenerate, and restore the function of the mind and body. Our bodies also require adequate sleep for detoxification.

While some noises are easy to control and minimize, others are not. If you live in an area with barking dogs, the sound of sirens and traffic, or the snoring from a significant other, a fan or air conditioner is an easy and inexpensive way to create the white noise that can mask these sounds without disturbing your sleep.

Another way to easily drown out noise is with a white noise sleep machine or app, which can promote a longer, deeper sleep – even if you don’t have any noise to drown out. Most white noise machines allow you to fall asleep to the soothing sound of waterfalls and raindrops, making your bedroom instantly feel sanctuary-esque.

2. Dim The Lights

A sleep sanctuary should have minimal light exposure, which can be achieved by using blackout shades, thicker curtains, or even by wearing a sleep mask.

Light sends signals to your body that it’s daytime (aka time to stay awake), which can suppress melatonin production. Melatonin is the hormone that regulates your sleep and wake cycle, and the less melatonin your body produces, the harder it can be for you to fall asleep at night.  Keep your bedroom dark, as light can suppress melatonin production.

Blackout shades can help prevent natural daylight from creeping in, but there may be other light sources impacting your sleep that you wouldn’t initially think of – such as the glow from your alarm clock or night light.

Studies have also shown the blue light from electronics such as tablets, laptops and smartphones suppresses melatonin production more than any other light source, so be sure to put those bad boys away at least 2 hours before bedtime. Which brings me to the next step…

3. “Coat Check” Electronics at the Door

Aside from being a source of melatonin-blocking blue light, electronics can also be a source of mental stimulation, and in some cases, unnecessary stress (I’m talking about you, social media).

Reading about a distressing event in the news, or seeing something disturbing in your news feed before your head hits the pillow, isn’t exactly effective for winding down – neither is online shopping nor getting lost in the visual vortex that is Instagram.

Your sleep sanctuary should have an “electronics-check” policy at the door so you can focus on relaxing before bed without any distractions. If you can’t fall asleep right away, resist the urge to grab your phone. Try meditating, practice a few yoga poses, or skim through a magazine or paperback book instead.

4. Ramp Up the Comfort

I don’t know about you, but when I think of a sanctuary, I automatically think of comfort. Since we spend hundreds of thousands of hours sleeping, it’s worth investing in a little comfort to make our sleep as enjoyable and relaxing as possible.

A few ways to give your sleep sanctuary a “comfort” makeover include replacing your mattress (some believe Tempur-Pedic mattresses and memory foam can help alleviate back pain) and choosing a pillow that properly supports your neck and forms to your head (whether you prefer soft or firm is up to you).

You may also want to switch your sheets and blankets to a different type of fabric. For example, bamboo fabric is not only soft and comfortable, but is said to have hypoallergenic, antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. 

Even adding a simple, soft rug next to your bed can bring a sense of comfort.  Need a cozier bed? Try bamboo fabric sheets for its hypoallergenic properties.

Lastly, don’t forget about temperature when it comes to creating a comfortable environment. Studies suggest heat interferes with REM sleep and may cause sleep disturbances, which is why cooler temperatures (with blankets, if needed) are recommended for restful sleep.

5. Create Your Own Oasis

As mentioned above, your sleep sanctuary should be a place you can enter and feel relaxed (which is why it should also be used only for the purpose of sleeping). For this reason, it’s important to remove anything in your sanctuary that may cause stress or make it feel like a multi-purpose room – for example, bills, loose papers or textbooks.

If you have a desk in your room, it’s a good idea to move it to another area in your home to prevent these items from accumulating in your sleep space.

In fact, one of the best steps to start building a sleep sanctuary is to declutter your bedroom. Some research suggests physical clutter can cause feelings of being overwhelmed, which elevates stress hormones such as cortisol.

Although it may sound extreme for clutter to have such an impact on your health, elevated cortisol levels are linked to anxiety and restlessness, which can prevent you from being able to fall asleep (which further increases stress levels).

A few other ways to make your sleep sanctuary a relaxation haven include creating a yoga and meditation corner and lighting a few candles or incense before bed (just don’t forget to blow them out before you doze off).

You may also want to experiment with essential oils and aromatherapy. Certain oils, such as lavender, may have stress relieving, sleep-inducing properties, while ylang ylang may help relieve insomnia. Try creating a sleep sanctuary with candles, soothing colors, and an oil diffuser.

Changing the decor in your room to softer expressions, such as soothing paintings with pastels or watercolors (rather than dark, dramatic colors), can also make a big difference when it comes to creating a more relaxed vibe.

How you design your sleep sanctuary is entirely up to you, but most importantly: make sure it’s a space that’s your own and feels comfortable to you.

Want to look for more ways to create a DIY sleep sanctuary? Watch this video – BEDROOM HACKS | Make Your Bedroom Cozy AF on a Budget

Written by Brandi Black

Author Bio:

Brandi Black is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and the creator of Feel Best Naked, a health blog for women who want to clear up their skin, lose the muffin top and make the bloat disappear. After years of experiencing (and then healing) her own unbalanced hormones, she’s now obsessed with helping other women feel spectacular in their own skin with natural remedies for hormone balance.

A lot of people have gotten results from the Keto diet, and enjoyed the foods that it has to offer. However, many of the people who are following this diet have a hard time finding the recipes that they need, especially ones that are quick and easy to complete.

Fortunately, Kelsey Ale, noticed this problem, and decided to do something about it. She’s found that making recipes in a slow cooker gives you meals which are not only delicious, but also take very little time to make. Mostly you just put a few simple ingredients in the slow cooker, and let it do the rest.

To find out more, click on – Keto Slow Cooker Cookbook