Tired Of Being Tired?

Tired of being...well, tired? Join the club. According to a report by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 32 percent of Australian’s do not get enough sleep each night, leaving us vulnerable to injuries and accidents, along with a whole range of chronic illnesses.

But here's the good news! There's plenty of inexpensive, natural sleep solutions like light-blocking eye masks, relaxing meditation apps and comforting weighted blankets but the best, in our opinion, is one that's probably already in your kitchen cabinets. Yes, we're talking about a cup of one of the strongest sleep teas on the market, Relax Organic Sleep Tea!

We are obviously biased so to help you pick the organic tea drink to help you sleep, we suggest you start with the ingredients list. Look for ingredients such as lavender (which has been proven to promote deep sleep), lemon balm (which can also help reduce stress and anxiety), passionflower (which boosts relaxation), peppermint (which relieves indigestion), and tried-and-true chamomile, which can help with almost all of the above and then some!

Chamomile is commonly regarded as a mild tranquilizer or sleep inducer. Its calming effects are attributed to an antioxidant called apigenin, which is found in abundance in organic chamomile. Apigenin binds to specific receptors in your brain that decrease anxiety and initiate sleep.

The higher the grade of chamomile the better, as this directly correlates with the amount of apigenin in the chamomile. At Tea Now, we only use the highest-grade single source, organic chamomile in our tea.

Not only is our Relax Organic Sleep Tea packed with all of the ingredients listed above, but the actual act of brewing a cup is relaxing in itself.

Are you ready to change your poor sleep habits? Taking Relax Organic Sleep Tea is a great start but creating a bedtime routine will allow you to practice healthy habits that promote good sleep, A bedtime routine connects you with your natural circadian rhythms and helps you to learn how to calm yourself. Bedtime routines help your brain separate the day from the night, clear your mind and body of the day’s stresses and relax into sleep.

Ready to dream up your ideal bedtime routine? Try these ideas.

Establish a Set Bedtime...

As part of your natural sleep-wake cycle, your brain starts winding down for sleep a few hours before bedtime. You can use your bedtime routine to make that process more effective. First, decide on your bed and wake-up times, and stick to them every day. Following a consistent sleep routine helps train your brain to naturally feel tired when it’s bedtime.

Next, schedule a time to begin your bedtime routine every night, anywhere between 30 minutes to 2 hours before bed. Set an alarm if you need to.

Leave the Electronics Alone...

Don’t play tricks on your brain. Say goodnight to your electronics at the beginning of your bedtime routine. If you can, avoid using electronics in the evening as much as possible. Be sure to turn on your phone’s red-light filter well before your bedtime routine even begins, so if you accidentally look at it, it won’t be as disruptive.

Take Relax Organic Sleep Tea...

Find a healthy middle ground by calming your stomach with a light snack, like a piece of fruit or yoghurt. Cherries, grapes, strawberries, nuts and oats all have high melatonin content. Enjoy a light snack with your tea. Just make sure to use the bathroom before bed!

Take a Warm Bath...

As part of your sleep-wake cycle, your body experiences various hormonal changes throughout the day. One of these is melatonin production which begins in the evening to prepare you for sleep. At the same time, your core body temperature drops. Scientists have found that mimicking that night time drop in body temperature via a warm bath can trigger a similarly sleepy reaction. Consider taking a warm bath about an hour before you go to sleep.

Stretch, Breathe and Relax...

Relaxation techniques like deep breathing exercises or progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) can allow you to let go of physical and mental tension, by instead focusing on your body and mindfully relaxing. A daily yoga routine has been shown to improve sleep quality and a few simple stretches or massage before bed can prevent cramping.

Kerri Imrie has a Diploma in Business Management and is the founder of Tea Now.

 Kerri is passionate about holistic health. Her goal is to empower people to take control of their health and show that the quality of our lives is directly linked to how we treat our bodies and minds. You can follow her @teanow.au

 Kerri is not a qualified health practitioner. Always consult a health professional before deciding if a health product is right for you.