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How often have you settled down in the hopes of a good night’s sleep, only to find yourself lying in the dark, wide awake? These days we all have a lot on our minds, and sleep can sometimes be hard to come by. But good quality, restorative sleep is critical for our physical and mental health, so finding ways to get those z’s should be one of our top priorities.

Sleep hygiene is important. Some lucky folks can eat a spicy meal late in the evening, watch a scary movie, have a cup of coffee and fall asleep instantly—but most of us can’t. What we do in the hours before bed matters as far as prepping for a restful sleep is concerned. Things like meditation, getting physical exercise earlier in the day, and turning off your screens two hours before bed may help. So might a comforting habit like drinking a cup of herbal tea that has properties believed to help you relax.

Bedtime Teas

It’s important to check with your doctor before trying any medicinal supplements or natural remedies, especially if you’re taking medication or have an underlying health condition. If you know it’s safe for you, these six teas might help you wind down and drift off.

Chamomile
An ancient medicinal herb, Chamomile tea has been used as a natural remedy to reduce anxiety and treat insomnia for quite some time. In fact, the world drinks more than a million cups of it a day! An antioxidant called apigenin found in abundance in chamomile is believed to cause its calming effects.

Valerian root
The valerian herb has been used to treat insomnia, nervousness, and headaches for centuries. Historically, it was used in England during World War II to relieve stress and anxiety caused by air raids. Some studies suggest that valerian might help you fall asleep faster and reduce interruptions during the night.

Lavender
Lavender tea is made by brewing the purple buds of the Lavandula angustifolia plant with hot water. Researchers have found evidence that ancient Romans would add lavender to their baths and breathe in the calming fragrance. Its soothing scent may help you unwind and drift off to sleep.

Lemon balm
An herb belonging to the mint family, dried lemon balm leaves are wonderfully citrus- scented and aromatic. Since the middle ages, it has been used to reduce stress and combat insomnia.

Passionflower
While scientific studies are limited, passionflower is found in many natural supplements that claim to soothe anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia. Made from the dried leaves and stems of the Passiflora plant, this tea may actually be as effective at improving sleep quality as the sleep medication Ambien.

Magnolia bark
Traditionally used in Chinese medicine, magnolia tea is predominantly made from the bark of the plant, but also contains some dried buds and stem. Today it is widely used around the world to alleviate abdominal discomfort, nasal congestion and stress. It is thought that magnolia’s anti-anxiety and sedative effects can help improve sleep.

Calming Sleep Accessories

Of course, no matter what you eat, drink, or do in the hours before bedtime, sleep is still going to be a challenge if you don’t have a comfortable pillow that is properly engineered to support your neck. You can fold, punch, and turn it all you like—a bad pillow is irredeemable.

A good pillow, on the other hand, is priceless—and you can find a sumptuously cozy line of pillows with us here at Ultramatic. Our mission is simple: to bring you delightful relaxation and wellness in the comfort of your own home.

As the pioneers of Lifestyle Adjustable Beds in Canada, we takes a wholistic approach to sleep, providing everything you need to slumber soundly— including pillows like our scented Lavender Memory Foam Pillow, our Lavender Shoulder-Cut pillow for side sleepers and our Eucalyptus-infused Memory Foam Pillow.

Designed to prevent tossing and turning, overheating and neck pain, an Ultramatic pillow paired with a soothing cup of herbal tea is a great start to a restful night’s sleep.  Happy sipping and happy sleeping!