The whole “beauty rest” thing is TRUE.
When we’re sleep-deprived, our production of ghrelin ( a hunger-promoting hormone) significantly increases, and we burn calories 20% slower than those who sleep on average seven hours a night.
Here are five ways to help you sleep more soundly.
1. Eat 1 cup of fruit an hour before bedtime. The natural sugar in fruit- (fructose) increases the production of calming brain chemicals, making you feel sleepy in as little as 20 minutes. Hmmm... Wine comes from grapes, and grapes are a fruit...( See where I'm going with that? CHEERS!)
2. Stretch for at least 10 minutes before bed. Stretching will help built-up release tension and calm any anxious thoughts.
3. Wear comfy PJs. Wearing sleepwear that is too tight traps body heat slowing down the brain's production of melatonin.
4. Give yourself a five-minute calf massage, and it'll stimulate nerves in the legs that soothe the adrenal glands and lower cortisol levels that interfere with sleep.
