Poor sleep negatively affects your health even if you’re doing everything else right. Melatonin is a hormone that plays an important role in healthy sleep.
Melatonin is one of the most important nutrients to help you optimise your sleep, as it plays a crucial role in your circadian rhythm, or internal clock. Artificial lighting and electronic gadgets near the bed can be ‘sleep destroyers’ as they interfere with melatonin production.
The minerals magnesium, potassium and Vitamin D are also important for good sleep. Magnesium deficiency can cause insomnia; lack of potassium can lead to difficulty staying asleep; and vitamin D deficiency has been linked to excessive daytime sleepiness.
To promote good sleep, make sure you’re exposed to full natural light during the day, and avoid, or at least minimise artificial lighting once the sun goes down, especially as bedtime draws near.
Leave your mobile phone away from the bed and place clock radios, laptops and other electronic objects at the foot of the bed…zzzzzzzzzzzzz.
