By Harsh Dave
Have your children ever wanted to sleep like nothing else in the world, but their minds were just too busy, and their bodies still seemed to think that the sun is shining outside when it set hours ago? A good way to encourage a healthy sleepiness are foods that are rich in melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that sends a signal to your brain that its dark outside and time to rest. When it feels like the signal just isn’t coming on, its okay to give it a little boost organically!
Some of the foods that are rich in melatonin are dairy products like yogurt or milk, as well as nuts and seeds. Bananas, Avocados and Spinach are also some healthy foods that can put you to sleep! If your child often tends to stay up and can’t get to sleep, why not try a smoothie an hour or two before bed!
Chamomile and peppermint teas will also do the trick, but make sure to avoid foods and drinks with high sugar or fat, and especially caffeine. These kinds of foods excite your body and aren’t conducive to falling into a relaxed, deep sleep. A cup of coffee before bed and you might find yourself counting many, many sheep.
We take care of our bodies by working out and eating right, but we can also prime ourselves for a good sleep. Besides activating our melatonin, we can do other things for our mind to prepare for a good night’s rest, and nothing works better than meditation! Try one of our meditation exercises with your child before the lights are off! The simplest meditation exercise is to simply sit, breathe, clear your mind and try to think about nothing. Even a short honest attempt can make a great difference!
