Insomnia has hit an all-time high in our post-pandemic world, and while there are many potential causes of insomnia, you might be surprised to learn that inflammation is a major trigger. Lowering inflammation in the body has many health benefits, including easing insomnia.
But how does it work? Inflammation is associated not just with insomnia, but also with many other sleep disturbances. When your body is in inflammatory-response mode, chemical compounds (cytokines) are secreted in the body. They can interfere with your sleep depth and duration, making it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Keep in mind that insomnia can present as either trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, so just because you can drift off quickly doesn’t mean you don’t have insomnia.
There are also two types of insomnia: acute and chronic. Everyone has acute insomnia from time to time, such as when experiencing jet lag. It can be annoying and potentially dangerous to have acute insomnia (we don’t function well when we’re tired) but chronic insomnia has serious and life-threatening potential side effects. If your insomnia is caused by inflammation, which is prompting the body to do things during the sleep cycle that it should be doing while awake, there are some easy ways to regain control. An anti-inflammatory diet is nothing new, but did you know you could seriously attack inflammation with a few sips?
Tart Cherries to the Rescue
Montmorency tart cherries are extremely rich in anti-inflammatory properties. They are the main ingredient in Sip2Sleep®, a drinkable solution with no systemic side effects and no risk of dependency. Sip this small drink every night before bed and reduce your inflammation, which may help you sleep better. It can take the place of a nightcap and melatonin, both of which don’t do much for your sleep in the long term. In fact, Sip2Sleep® can be an effective addition to a good sleep hygiene best practice. Along with meditation, a bath, making sure your room is cool and dark, and avoiding screens for at least two hours before bed, Sip2Sleep® fits right into a healthy schedule.
However, inflammation isn’t the only common cause of insomnia. Anxiety is also a major factor. Whether you’re diagnosed with anxiety or understandably get anxious with worry from time to time, anxiety can be a major obstacle in falling asleep and staying asleep. If you’re in bed worrying about what needs to be done or problems that are brewing, sleep doesn’t come easily. If you’re taking anxiety medications, you can add Sip2Sleep® to your regimen without any worries. It has Venetron®, which is derived from a plant, and is a known anti-anxiety supplement.
Undoing Anxiety
Those diagnosed with anxiety should never stop or change their prescription anxiety medication without the guidance of their doctor. And if you suspect that you have anxiety, it’s important to see a mental health professional immediately. However, if you simply feel anxious and worried sometimes, that’s normal—but it can get in the way of getting the sleep you need. Adding Venetron® to your nightly routine can be a big help, but so can addressing worries before bedtime.
Writing down what you need to do tomorrow can shift your worried brain from pondering it at night to putting it off until tomorrow. Seeing a mental health therapist regularly, even if you don’t have anxiety, can help you build the skills necessary to compartmentalize when it’s healthy, prioritize sleep, and get your worries under control. In fact, cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia, or CBT-I, is a very common approach and fits neatly into changing your sleep hygiene routine. Soothing activities like reading a book, stroking your pet dog or cat, or going on a leisurely stroll after dinner are all popular ways to reduce anxiety and get in the mood to sleep.
Many people are trying to avoid or wean themselves from over-the-counter sleep aids, including melatonin, because of known side effects and dependency. Sip2Sleep® can help you bridge the gap as you go au naturale and embrace sleep habits that are sustaining and healthy. Just one drink per night can help you get the Zzz’s you need and it makes for an excellent addition to a healthy dinner.
