8 Effective Sleep Hacks from Around the World

Sleep is so important to our health and well-being that many of us are willing to do just about anything to get more of it. But it turns out that all over the world, people are doing some pretty strange things in order to get a better night’s sleep! These hacks may seem strange at first, but they may just change your life if you give them a chance. Here are 8 weird (but effective) sleep hacks from around the world...

1. USE APPLE CIDER VINEGAR AS A NATURAL MOUTHWASH

A study published in Dentistry Today found that using apple cider vinegar as a mouthwash may reduce oral bacteria. By neutralizing odor-causing acids, like those produced by bacteria, ACV can prevent bad breath.

2. DRINK HIBISCUS TEA

A yummy way to lower your blood pressure naturally is to add hibiscus tea to your daily routine. The tropical plant—which is commonly used in Mexican and Chinese medicine—contains antioxidant flavonoids that boost nitric oxide, which helps widen blood vessels and bring down blood pressure. It helps to improve your sleep problems. If you’re drinking it for its health benefits, be sure to steep two bags of hibiscus tea for at least five minutes before serving.

3. EAT A PROTEIN-RICH DINNER

Your body needs protein to sleep well, so eat a big dinner with some of your proteins still intact. Getting a good night’s sleep isn’t just about picking up some melatonin pills at CVS; it’s about providing your body with what it needs to function properly. The amino acids in animal products are essential for supporting healthy muscle mass, making you feel full, and boosting your immune system – all things that can help you get a good night’s rest.

4. GET ADJUSTED FREQUENTLY

Because we spend roughly a third of our lives sleeping, it’s a good idea to make your sleeping routine if you want to make sure you’re getting a full night’s rest. One of those may be adjusting how frequently you visit an acupuncturist. Traditional Chinese medicine considers the flow of qi energy—which travels up and down meridians throughout your body—to be crucial for sleep.

5. EXERCISE EVERY DAY!

People in Japan are known for getting more sleep than their western counterparts, averaging about seven hours per night. One of their secrets? Exercising every day. Experts recommend exercising for at least 30 minutes every day to maintain healthy weight and heart functions—and if you can fit in exercise before bed, so much the better! After a good workout, melatonin levels shoot up to promote deep and restful sleep.

6. TAKE VITAMIN B6 FOR STRESS MANAGEMENT SECTION:

When under stress, our bodies are more susceptible to illness and disease, so we need to maintain a healthy lifestyle. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by work, school or family obligations or if your worries just aren’t letting up at night, take a vitamin B6 supplement before bed. Vitamin B6 boosts your body’s ability to produce serotonin, which relaxes and calms you as you drift off into dreamland.

7. SET UP YOUR ROOM FOR BETTER SLEEP SECTION:

If you’re having trouble sleeping, consider these simple but surprisingly effective strategies. Setting up your room properly can help you rest easy, no matter what time zone you’re in. Here are a few tips on how to make that happen: Lighting is Key: If it’s too bright or too dark in your bedroom, you won’t be able to get comfortable enough to fall asleep. Find an equilibrium by installing blackout curtains and turning off any artificial lights at night.

8. GET SOME SUNLIGHT

Sunlight helps regulate sleep patterns by telling your brain when it’s time to wake up and time to sleep. When you spend more time indoors than out, your body starts to go haywire—especially when you spend too much time in front of a computer or TV screen. Getting some sunlight will help you reset those biological clocks. If sunlight isn’t an option, many experts recommend using blue-light-blocking glasses that emit soft white light instead of harsh blue rays.

Picture credit, free from pexels