Inside: Do you often lie in bed worrying about the circumstances you find yourself in or your growing to-do list? Mama, it's time to slay the anxiety and get some rest! These 5 teas will help calm your body and allow you to get to sleep sooner.
Are you craving more sleep? Better sleep? You’re in the right place. Because it is possible to have both. You just might need to make a few adjustments to your routine.
A super easy adjustment-- adding a cup of hot tea into your nighttime rhythm.
3 Benefits of Drinking Tea Before Bed
Drinking tea before bed can prevent snacking at night
There are tons of reasons why you should not be eating right before bed (no matter how fun it sounds in the moment). One of them is this: your body was not designed to rest deeply while it is simultaneously trying to digest food. So do yourself a favor and end your evening with a hot cup of tea - and skip the chocolate chip cookie or handful of potato chips.
Plus, not eating after 6PM is one of the 9 early bird habits. So if you want to have a consistent early morning routine, your late night snacking addiction must be squashed.
A cup of tea before bed will help you sleep better
The nutrients and antioxidants in some teas will help your body relax and prepare itself to get rested. There is a lot of science behind why this is all true, but you’ve got babies to wrangle so I’ll keep it short. Just trust me when I say that some teas (I’ll get into the specific types in a little bit) will improve the quality of your sleep. And who doesn’t want that???
The warmth of a mug of tea will be a comforting reminder that the day is over and bedtime is near.
Just the act itself of making a cup of tea, then sitting and sipping will force you to slow down at the end of the day. Bedtime routines are a big part of getting to bed earlier (and I know getting to bed sooner is on your “to-do” list!). So add this calming ritual into your nighttime routine.
5 Teas That Will Help You Get Better Quality Sleep
1. Chamomile Tea
When you think of sleep and tea, chamomile is probably the first one that comes to mind. There is a reason for that! The antioxidants in chamomile tea send signals to your brain that reduce anxiety (a thief of sleep). Plus, the soft and muted flavor profile provides a relaxing end to a busy day.
2. Lavender Tea
Just like the name suggests, lavender tea is brewed using leaves from the lavender plant (the lavandula angustifolia plant, if we are being really scientific 🙂 ). Lavender tea increases the levels of dopamine in your body (the hormone that makes us feel “happy”) while simultaneously decreasing cortisol (the stress hormone). Mama, this tea might be just what you need to relax after a long day chasing kids!
3. Peppermint Tea
Ah peppermint. I love the tingly sensation this tea leaves in your mouth 🙂 But it is also known to relax muscles and reduce inflammation in the body. If you feel tense and want to calm down before bed, this is your go-to tea mama!
4. Valerian Tea
A less common tea, but loaded with health benefits - especially as it relates to sleep. Valerian root (which is brewed to make valerian tea) is known to increase the gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) in your body. The increase in GABA calms the nervous system. It’s definitely worth a try!
5. Passion Flower
Do you find yourself lying awake in bed worrying about how you handled that tantrum or what the finances look like? Mama, passion flower tea will do you some good! It is known to be one of the best natural remedies for anxiety. This tea will help you relax and turn the mind chatter down a notch. Plus, it might help you get to sleep sooner and sleep deeper.
So Mama, it’s time to hit the store and grab some new tea!
Whether you are a tea drinker or not, the benefits of drinking tea and the effects it can have on your sleep are worth testing.
We all need to get better sleep (not just more). Your kids, husband, friends, and community need you well rested and taken care of. So start making changes to get the sleep you need and crave.
Let me know which tea you try! I can’t wait to hear from you.
As always, I’m rooting for you.
