Having trouble relaxing or falling asleep? Sometimes the stress of life leaves us lying in bed with our mind going 100 miles a minute. To calm your mind, there are techniques like meditating and breathing exercises that you can do. Stopping screen time 2 hours before bed and reading instead can also help your mind wind down. But did you know there are also supplements that can possibly help? Magnesium is one of them.
What Is a Magnesium Deficiency?
Insomnia is a common symptom of magnesium deficiency. People with low magnesium often experience restless sleep and wake frequently during the night. Maintaining healthy magnesium levels can help you have a deeper, sound sleep.
How Does It Help?
Magnesium helps activate neurotransmitters that are responsible for calming the body and the mind. On a chemical level, magnesium aids this process by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, the system responsible for getting you calm and relaxed. Magnesium also regulates the hormone melatonin, which guides sleep-wake cycles in your body. Not only can magnesium help you go to sleep, but it plays a part in helping you achieve deep and restful sleep as well.
Where Do You Get This Mineral?
Magnesium is an essential mineral, one of seven essential macrominerals that the human body needs in large quantities. Since the body does not produce magnesium, it must come from outside sources like your diet. You can get magnesium through drinking water and eating foods like green vegetables, fruit, nuts, cereals, meat, and fish.
Magnesium-Rich Foods:
- Dark leafy greens
- Seeds and nuts, including sunflower and sesame seeds, cashews and almonds
- Squash, broccoli, and other vegetables
- Legumes
- Dairy products
- Meat
- Unprocessed whole grains
- Chocolate
- Coffee
How To Get More Nutrients
If you don’t feel like your diet is giving you all the nutrients you need (most diets have nutritional gaps), try taking a magnesium supplement like Sustained Release VitalMag®. As always, make sure to talk to your doctor before starting any supplement regimen.
Here’s to more restful days ahead!
