12 Dec 14 Sleep-Inducing Drinks to Sip Before Bed
10 years ago, the United States carried the mindset of, “you snooze, you lose” with the idea being that it is absurd to imagine being successful if even consider taking time for yourself every once in a while. Luckily, today, this mindset is shuttered at the thought of. Now, sleep is widely understood as being absolutely essential to success. Sleep. Is. Everything.
Whoever came up with the preposterous motto mentioned above clearly never suffered from insomnia. From tossing and turning with endless thoughts in your head to waking up in the middle of the night feeling wired for no apparent reason, yeah, insomnia sucks.
Worse yet, popping sleeping pills every night is a common practice b many of those who suffer from insomnia. The problem with this is that the brain and body become reliant on these pills to fall asleep, a.k.a. your body becomes addicted to the sleep aid. Before relying on the Ambiens or Lunestas, why not try some tastier natural sleep aid options first? Next time you’re struggling to catch those zzzs, down one of these 19 cozy concoctions. Whether it’s the ingredients that help you unwind or more of a soothing ritual effect, you’ll wake up feeling like a winner rather than drowsy and unrested from sleeping pills.
Pretty in pink, this frothy sleepy drink isn’t just pretty to look at it. There is also a dash of comforting and tiring ashwagandha powder.
Real pumpkin in your pumpkin spiced latte??? What a concept! A few tablespoons of the puréed veggie go into this cozy cup of sweetened, cinnamon-dusted deliciousness. Not to mention, it’s caffeine-free so that you’re not bouncing off the walls at midnight.
Instead of stirring your reishi mushroom powder into your morning coffee as commonly done, use it in this chocolaty concoction.
Word of caution: Cacao powder contains trace amounts of caffeine (only 12 milligrams, whereas a cup of coffee has 150 milligrams) so if you’re super sensitive to the stuff, it might be wise to pass on this one.
Thanks to turmeric’s combination of anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, it’s been shown to help with anxiety and promote better sleep. This is just further proof that the golden root is worthy of its recent popularity.
If you like to workout at night, then this is the drink for you! Not only do the vanilla, honey, and lavender make it super soothing for bedtime, but the serotonin and healthy fats in the walnuts simultaneously replenish tired muscles. Double whammy!
According to the traditional medicine practice, herbs like saffron can do wonders for anxiety, depression, and sleeplessness, all things we could do without. Add a few strands to this subtly spiced almond milk drink and find sleep with ease.
Hot chocolate has been a traditional go-to for comfort for all ages. Feel reminiscent of your childhood while winding down for sleep with this cozy drink. With soothing peppermint oil, healthy fats from the cashew butter, and zero added sugar, it sets you up for a relaxing treat followed by an uninterrupted night of zzz’s.
This smoothie takes care of cookie cravings without killing your REM cycle. No added sugar here. Dates and bananas are its only sources of sweetness. Its also made with chickpeas, which are high in the B6 vitamins that produce sleep-regulating serotonin.
Blueberries offer a high concentration of sleep-aiding polyphenols making them a great option for a bedtime snack. This is especially so when they are accompanied by other sleep-promoting ingredients like avocado, lavender, and bananas.
Adding brewing this sleep enticing tea to your nightly routine. Both chamomile and lavender are known to naturally improve sleep quality, so what’s better than getting them both in one frothy cup?
Thanks to avocado and banana, both rich in anxiety-reducing, mood-elevating serotonin, this drink is a perfect way to end the day on a happy note.
This chamomile, lavender, peppermint, and sage infusion can get you to spa-level bliss all on its own, without the actual spa. It’s extremely cleansing, soothing, and relaxing.
If you’re having trouble getting some shut-eye, one reason might be a deficiency in magnesium, which helps regulate all sorts of bodily functions, including the sleep cycle. Balance out your levels with this refreshing, three-ingredient shake.
Let’s finish off this list with the drink that has bedtime in its name. As if apple cider vinegar strikes again in this tea! This blog makes a solid case for the calming effects of ACV’s amino acids.
Feeling tired yet? Drink up and get some well deserved and necessary shut-eye!