bigstock-Insomnia-Sleep-Apnea-Or-Stres-293554264

Sleep Formula

Imagine a world where you wake up every morning feeling refreshed, focused, and ready to conquer the day—this is the power of a good night’s sleep. Sleep is a cornerstone of health, affecting everything from cognitive function to immune system strength. 

However, 35% of Americans struggle to get the quality sleep they need each night. (1) When you don’t get enough sleep or enough quality sleep, the energy your body was saving to give you a high productivity “pep in your step” is instead used to keep you awake. (2)

Is there a reliable, evidence-based way to maximize our quantity and quality of sleep? Yes, there is! Research has identified several strategies that can help improve sleep quality and duration. These tips can mean the difference between jumping out of bed, excited to start the day, and not wanting to get out of bed at all. 

Read on to learn more.  

1. Maintain a Consistent Sleep Schedule

One of the most effective strategies to improve sleep is maintaining a consistent sleep schedule. Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day helps regulate your body’s internal clock, known as the circadian rhythm. Research shows that irregular sleep schedules can lead to poor sleep quality, as they disrupt the natural sleep-wake cycle. (3) By sticking to a regular schedule, even on weekends, you can train your body to sleep better.

2. Create a Restful Sleep Environment

The environment in which you sleep plays a crucial role in the quality of your sleep. A cool, quiet, and dark bedroom can significantly improve sleep quality. The National Sleep Foundation recommends keeping the room temperature between 60-67°F (15-19°C) for optimal sleep. (4) Additionally, minimizing noise and light exposure by using earplugs, blackout curtains, or a white noise machine can help create an ideal sleep environment.

3. Limit Exposure to Blue Light in the Evening

Exposure to light, particularly blue light from screens, can interfere with the production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep. Blue light suppresses melatonin production, making it harder to fall asleep. (5) To improve sleep, it is recommended to limit screen time at least one hour before bedtime. Alternatively, using blue light-blocking glasses or screen filters can help mitigate the effects of screen exposure.

4. Watch What You Eat and Drink

What you consume, especially in the hours leading up to bedtime, can significantly impact your sleep. Large meals, caffeine, and alcohol should be avoided in the evening. Caffeine, found in coffee, tea, chocolate, and some medications, is a stimulant that can disrupt sleep, even if consumed six hours before bedtime. (6) Similarly, while alcohol might make you feel drowsy, it can interfere with your sleep cycle and reduce sleep quality. (7) For a healthy eating plan that optimizes overall wellness, see our Yeast-Free With Me Support Program.

5. Incorporate Physical Activity into Your Day

Regular physical activity can promote better sleep by reducing the time it takes to fall asleep and increasing the amount of deep sleep you get. A study published in the journal Sleep Medicine found that moderate aerobic exercise can reduce insomnia symptoms and improve sleep quality. (8) However, it is important to avoid vigorous exercise close to bedtime, as it may have a stimulating effect and make it harder to fall asleep.

6. Manage Stress and Anxiety

Stress and anxiety are common causes of sleep disturbances. Techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, deep breathing exercises, and progressive muscle relaxation have been shown to reduce stress and improve sleep quality. (9) Additionally, setting aside time to wind down before bed with relaxing activities like reading or taking a warm bath can help prepare your body and mind for sleep.

7. Supplement with Sleep Formula

Sleep Formula is one of our bestsellers and is a combination of natural, relaxing supplements that help promote good sleep. Its pure ingredients, and their sleep-supporting actions, include the following:

Melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain, which plays a significant role in regulating sleep. Its production is triggered by darkness and inhibited by light, helping to align the body’s circadian rhythms with the day-night cycle. Melatonin supports the transition to sleep and helps maintain consistent sleep patterns. Exposure to light at night can interfere with melatonin production, which is why it is often recommended to minimize light exposure in the bedroom before sleep.

L-Tryptophan

L-tryptophan is an essential amino acid that the body uses to produce serotonin, a neurotransmitter that contributes to mood regulation. During this process, some serotonin is converted into melatonin, which is involved in regulating sleep-wake cycles.

Chamomile

Chamomile extract is derived from the flowers of the chamomile plant, which has been traditionally used to address various health concerns, including sleep quality. Chamomile contains several active compounds, such as apigenin, which may have mild sedative effects by interacting with specific receptors in the brain.

Valerian Root Extract

Valerian root has been used historically as a remedy for sleep disturbances and stress. Some studies suggest that valerian root extract may help improve sleep quality without the side effects commonly associated with conventional sleep medications.

Inositol

Inositol is a compound that may have a calming effect, potentially aiding in stress reduction. Some evidence suggests it may help alleviate stress and support better sleep by promoting relaxation.

Importantly, Sleep Formula does not contain any dairy, egg, nuts, GMOs (genetically modified ingredients), gluten or soy.  This makes it an excellent choice for individuals with dietary restrictions and/or sensitivities.

Daytime drowsiness doesn’t have to control your life! Improving sleep is not just about going to bed earlier; it involves a combination of lifestyle changes and environmental adjustments as well as the support of Sleep Formula. By implementing the tips above, you may reap the benefits of falling asleep more easily, sleeping well all night, and having more energy for productive and healthy days.

We Are Here For You

At Physicians Preference Vitamins, we are here for you. If you have questions about supplements to help with sleep or any other health concerns, please call our Certified Holistic Nutritionists and Vitamin Consultants today at 281-646-1659. It will be our privilege to serve you!

Research

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Unhealthy sleep-related behaviors–12 States, 2009. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2011 Mar 4;60(8):233-8. PMID: 21368738.

2. Engle-Friedman M. The effects of sleep loss on capacity and effort. Sleep Sci. 2014 Dec;7(4):213-24. doi: 10.1016/j.slsci.2014.11.001. Epub 2014 Nov 15. PMID: 26483932; PMCID: PMC4608917.

3. Hirshkowitz, M., Whiton, K., Albert, S. M., Alessi, C., Bruni, O., DonCarlos, L., … & Ware, J. C. (2015). National Sleep Foundation’s sleep time duration recommendations: methodology and results summary. Sleep Health, 1(1), 40-43.

4. Czeisler, C. A. (2016). Sleep deficiency and sleep health: Prevalence, adverse health effects, and diagnostic challenges. Sleep Health, 2(1), 5-8.

5. Chang, A. M., Aeschbach, D., Duffy, J. F., & Czeisler, C. A. (2015). Evening use of light-emitting eReaders negatively affects sleep, circadian timing, and next-morning alertness. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(4), 1232-1237.

6. Drake, C., Roehrs, T., Shambroom, J., & Roth, T. (2013). Caffeine effects on sleep taken 0, 3, or 6 hours before going to bed. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 9(11), 1195-1200.

7. Roehrs, T., & Roth, T. (2001). Sleep, sleepiness, and alcohol use. Alcohol Research & Health: The Journal of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 25(2), 101-109.

8. Passos, G. S., Poyares, D., Santana, M. G., D’Aurea, C. V., Youngstedt, S. D., Tufik, S., & de Mello, M. T. (2010). Effects of moderate aerobic exercise training on chronic primary insomnia. Sleep Medicine, 11(9), 934-940.

9. Gross, C. R., Kreitzer, M. J., Reilly-Spong, M., Wall, M., Winbush, N. Y., Patterson, R., & Mahowald, M. (2011). Mindfulness-based stress reduction versus pharmacotherapy for chronic primary insomnia: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing, 7(2), 76-87.