Why Matcha is Great for Health as you Grow Older

matcha green tea powder health benefit

Matcha green tea powder is being hailed the new health hero for older Australians. It’s often consumed to fight against diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia – it can naturally lower bad cholesterol and blood pressure plus it can help relieve arthritis – and more!

So, why is matcha great for health – and why does it have such incredible health benefits?

Unlike standard green tea, matcha is the whole tea leaf that has been stone ground into a fine powder. Therefore, when you drink matcha, you ingest the whole leaf, not just the brewed water.

Just 1/2 teaspoon of matcha dissolved in hot water is the equivalent of 10 standard cups of green tea bags in terms of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

This is the highest recorded score for any naturally occurring product on earth, and far exceeds even super foods like goji berries, blue berries and broccoli.

Matcha great for health because of antioxidants

And how can it improve our health?

Medical studies have shown that matcha green tea can naturally prevent and manage a huge number of age related conditions. These health benefits include:

    1. Alzheimer’s and Dementia: The main antioxidant in matcha green tea powder is EGCG. Studies have shown that EGCG helps counteract memory loss, which is caused by plaque deposits, in people with Alzheimer’s. When you consume matcha, you consume all the antioxidants in the tea leaf – therefore, matcha drinkers consume much higher levels of EGCG.
    2. Helps relieve arthritis symptoms: Studies have shown that green tea can help reduce inflammation and arthritis pain. This is because of its active ingredient EGCG, which helps prevent certain inflammatory chemicals building in the body. As matcha contains a higher level of EGCG compared to standard green tea bags, it’s a perfect anti-inflammatory drink.
    3. Helps lower blood pressure: A major cause of hypertension (high blood pressure) is an enzyme secreted by the kidneys called ACE. Studies have shown that green tea aids in inhibiting ACE and as a result helps lower blood pressure in people who drink green tea.
    4. Helps lower bad cholesterol: Research studies have highlighted that drinking up to 10 cups of green tea a day has a positive impact on your blood cholesterol levels. Green tea helps lower your bad cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) while leaving your good cholesterol (HDL) untouched. As one serving of matcha green tea powder is the equivalent to 10 cups of standard green tea, it is an easy way to achieve this cholesterol-lowering level.
    5. Supports the immune system: Because of it’s powerful antioxidants, it has anti-inflammatory effects on the immune system. The antioxidants, catechins and L-theanines, help protect against the flu. And what’s more, they inhibit the growth of parasites, curbs infections, clears up free radicals, reduces oxidative damage and protects the kidneys.

Therefore, the more matcha that you drink or use in your food…

The more antioxidants you will be consuming. And this should help protect your body, against many diseases – and hopefully keep you feeling healthy and energized for longer.

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Matcha Green Tea Powder Boosts Immune System

5 Surprising Ways Matcha Green Tea Powder Boosts the Immune System

Matcha green tea powder is one of the healthiest beverages in the world- it’s rich with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and nutrients. Matcha green tea powder helps boost your immune system in five surprising ways from helping you ward off the flu this Winter to reducing inflammation!

1. Matcha Green Tea Powder Fights the Flu

Matcha green tea powder boosts the immune system due to it’s high antioxidant content, particularly Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) assists your body’s production of T-Cells which reduce inflammation and fight pathogens. This makes matcha green tea powder a great immune system booster during the Winter flu season!

2: Matcha Green Tea Powder Naturally Detoxifies

Matcha is a powerhouse of chlorophyll (where the vibrant green comes from!) due to the unique shading process the tea plants undergo. As a result, matcha helps detoxify the body of harmful chemicals, toxins and heavy metals. A detoxified body is better able to fight off pathogens and as a result drinking matcha green tea powder boosts the immune system.

3: Matcha Green tea Powder Kills Bacteria

Matcha contains a high level of both flavonoids and antioxidants which form a powerful anti-bacterial defence force! The flavonoids will eliminate bad breath, kill off bacteria from viruses/infections while the flavonoids are perfect for soothing a sore throat!

4: Matcha Green Tea Powder Reduces Inflammation

Matcha green tea powder can help reduce inflammation and arthritis pain because of its active ingredient EGCG which is a powerful antioxidant that works to stop the production of certain inflammatory chemicals in the body. Matcha contains a much higher level of EGCG compared to standard green tea bags making it the perfect immune system boosting drink.

Starting to feel the flu? Try making this Matcha, Ginger Immunity Tea Recipe

Ingredients – Makes 4 cups
1 teaspoon Zen Green Tea Matcha Green Tea Powder
1 Tablespoon Grated Ginger
1/2 Squeezed lime
½ teaspoon dried Oregano
1 Tablespoon Honey

Directions

  1. In a medium sauce pan bring 6 cups of water and all ingredients except the matcha to the boil
  2. Cover with a lid and boil the tea for 15 minutes
  3. Strain the tea into a pot
  4. Dissolve the matcha green tea powder into one tablespoon of hot water- ensuring you dissolve any lumps
  5. Add the matcha green tea powder to the pot of tea, and stir.
  6. Serve immediately. You can keep any left over in the fridge to drink cold or heat up again.

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Fight Parkinsons Disease with this type of green tea

fight parkinsons green tea-
This article is contributed by Lucy Wyndam who is a nurse and an aged care specialist. She has worked extensively with people who have Parkinson’s.  

Parkinsons Disease is the second most common neurological disease in Australia, after dementia. About 32 Aussies are diagnosed with the disease every day and this number has increased by 17 percent in the last six years.

Although Parkinson’s affects 10 million people worldwide, it doesn’t affect some areas of the world like it affects Australia. Some scientists discovered that the prevalence of Parkinson’s was lowest in Asia and Africa, areas where green tea is commonly consumed. Therefore, many researchers have looked into the effects of green tea on the disease and found that it provides many benefits to alleviate symptoms and delay its onset.

And with matcha green tea, it contains the whole tea leaf which has been stone ground into a fine powder. It’s the leaf which contains all the powerful antioxidants. So, when you drink matcha, you ingest the whole leaf – not just the brewed water. Which means that you consume many more health benefits. Just ½ teaspoon of matcha dissolved in hot water is the equivalent of 10 standard cups of green tea bags in terms of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

fight parkinsons green tea

So here’s the incredible ways that green tea fights Parkinsons

 

Helps Cells Regenerate

Parkinson’s is characterised by a loss of neurons in the brain. This leads to a degenerative process and the death of brain cells. However, green tea is abundant in the antioxidant, Epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, which can help cells regenerate. EGCG helps to preserve neurons, regulate their energy use, and protect them from dying when stressed. So, by drinking green tea, you can replenish your body with the right nutrients to protect against Parkinson’s.

Promotes Movement

Dopamine is made in an area of the brain called the substantia nigra and then travels to a second area of the brain. However, with Parkinson’s Disease, the dopamine flows back into the substantia nigra and can’t reach the second area to properly function. This leads to symptoms of Parkinsons such as rigid muscles and tremors. Green tea contains polyphenols, which have been found to block the backflow of dopamine and allow it to travel from one area of the brain to another. Therefore, green tea can help to ease movements and prevent the tremors associated with Parkinson’s.

Delaying Onset of Parkinson’s

Not only is green tea helpful with alleviating some of the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease, but it is also known to help people delay its effects. According to a recent study published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, people that drank more than three cups of green tea daily, delayed the onset of Parkinson’s symptoms by more than seven years.

What we put into our bodies makes a huge difference on our health and wellbeing. Therefore, you should add at least one cup of green tea a day to reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease, and promote positivi-tea in your life.

Make this cup of green tea a matcha green tea – and you can turbocharge your immunity & health

One standard cup of matcha is the equivalent of 10 standard cups of green tea. It has been proven to have 137x more antioxidants. So by drinking one cup of matcha, you’ll flood your body with these incredible Parkinsons-fighting antioxidants.

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What to Eat and Drink to Increase your Energy

energy levels food drink

We explain how you can change your diet to increase your energy levels.

Our energy level plays a major part in our lives. It impacts our happiness, our health, our family and our ability to achieve the goals we set for ourselves.

The food and drink that we consume has a huge impact on our energy level. If you often feel sluggish or bloated then you should look to make some changes to your diet.

So here are some simple changes you can make, to help increase your energy levels…

What to Eat for Energy

Replace white carbs for whole-grain, low-glycemic carbohydrates. 

Why? These are easier for the body to digest. This helps avoid the “crash and burn” effect, and keeps energy levels up. Nuts, legumes, sweet potatoes, oats, and brown rice are all low-glycemic carbohydrates that provide the body with a steady supply of energy.

Reduce sugar

Sugar has been described as a brain sedative. Recently a study has shown that it inhibits orexin which is a brain chemical that helps keep you feeling awake. Evaluate the foods you eat to see their sugar levels- huge culprits are the hidden sugars in granola, yogurt, and drinks. 

Increase your proteins

Proteins are important to your body and recently have been shown to excite brain chemical orexin into production mode thus boosting alertness and energy. Ensure that you have adequate protein at every meal will help with sustainable energy all day. General guidance shows that 15-25% of your kilo joules should come from protein.

Increase your greens

Vegetables contain a huge amount of vitamins and minerals needed by the body. Start to incorporate these however you can into your meals. Here are some easy tricks you can use..

  • Add veggies to bulk up any soups
  • Make a salad or a vegetable side with every meal
  • Use fresh herbs to spice up any cooking
  • Try cooking green vegetables (broccoli, beans, kale) with a little olive oil – then tossing in freshly diced garlic, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, a pinch of salt and pepper, and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese!

Reduce your chemicals

We have complicated mechanisms in our body and brain that regulate our energy. Chemical-laden processed foods interferes and disrupts this process which saps our energy. Try to cut down on processed foods- it’s amazing how easy it is to make your own ingredients like pasta sauces, and swap processed foods for whole foods. Not only will you notice your energy increasing, you will also see your body start to feel full for longer and soon start craving healthier foods.

What to Drink for Energy

Drink Water! 

Are you drinking enough? Tiredness can be a sign of dehydration, so increasing your water intake can help boost energy levels. If you want to jazz up your water why not make a Sugar-Free Iced Matcha Tea or simply just add sliced fruit or fresh herbs like mint and rosemary to your water.

Matcha & Energymatcha caffeine

Matcha is a natural energy enhancer because it contains a small amount of caffeine and high levels of the amino acid L-Theanine. The caffeine is released onto your blood stream slowly over a period of 6-8 hours. This means that is delivers energy sustainable and will not disrupt sleep or cause an afternoon slump. Also, the L-Theanine in matcha boosts the production of Alpha Waves, Dopamine and Serotonin in the brain which delivers a powerful boost to concentration, memory and mood. So, drinking 2-3 cups of matcha a day delivers incredible health benefits AND gives you long-lasting energy! You can buy our premium grade Japanese matcha here.

Reduce Coffee Consumption

If you’re a regular coffee drinker try to keep it to once per day and as early as possible. Coffee is known to disrupt your adrenal system and sleep which both can result in fatigue. (Check out our longer article on it here)

Try Vegetable Juices 

Fresh vegetable juices – made with a juicer or a blender – are a great way to boost your vegetable consuenergy levels food drinkmption. Make sure youmake the primary ingredients vegetables, and not fruit – as this keeps sugar levels down. We love adding our matcha to our vegetable juice as an added health benefit. Click here for a vegetable juice recipe. 

Don’t Drink Sugar

An easy way to cut down on sugar in your diet is to ensure you stop drinking it. Alcohol, soft drinks, fruit juices, or sweetened hot beverages all contain lots of sugar. Try to swap all of these to water, tea or sugar-free/chemical free drinks. And if you want to have an alcoholic drink, have your spirit with soda water and lime or limit your wine/beer to just one or two glasses once per week.

Extra resources…

  • The blog Move Nourish Believe has a great article which describes more of the foods to eat and which to avoid to increase energy. Read their article here.
  • Carla Thomas has recently published her book – The Juicy Movement – about holistic health with some amazing recipes. Check out her “Day on The Plate” here, to see the recipes for her Green Staples Smoothie , Crispy Skin Salmon (yum!) and her Vege and Guacamole Nori Rolls.

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Turmeric Matcha Health Benefits

Turmeric matcha health benefits

Turmeric Matcha Powder Health BenefitsTurmeric Matcha Tea

Turmeric, a golden spice traditionally only seen in Indian curries, is becoming one of the most popular superfoods amongst older Australians. Turmeric is being revamped in the form of golden turmeric lattes and as a delicious aromatic tea allowing Australians an easy way to enjoy the health benefits.  Turmeric contains the powerful antioxidant curcumin which studies show has anti-inflammatory effects on the brain and body. Inflammation is one of the leading causes of many age related degenerative diseases showing why turmeric is becoming so popular amongst health-conscious Australians.

Top 5 Health Benefits of Turmeric:

1. Reduces Inflammation: It is believed that chronic low-level inflammation plays a major role in Western diseases such as heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, arthritis and other degenerative conditions. Turmeric’s main active ingredient, curcumin, is a strong anti-inflammatory. It is so powerful that in a study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, curcumin was more effective than the anti-inflammatory drug.

turmeric-matcha-anti-oxidants2. Antioxidants: Turmeric delivers a two-fold benefit where curcumin is a powerful antioxidant in itself but it also stimulates the body’s own antioxidant enzymes. Antioxidants are important as they remove dangerous free radicals from the body which can damage other cells DNA (which can lead to diseases such as cancer).

2. Mood & Mind: Studies are showing turmeric has a positive impact on balancing mood and can help in the treatment of depression. In a controlled study of 60 patients, the group given curcumin showed similar improvements to the group given antidepressant drug Prozac. Research is also showing evidence that turmeric can boost serotonin and dopamine which are neurotransmitters that, when low in levels, are linked to depression.

3. Preventing Alzheimer’s: One of the key factors in Alzheimer’s disease is a build-up of protein tangles known as Amyloid plaques in addition to inflammation and oxidative damage of brain cells. Studies have shown that the curcumin in turmeric can help clear these plaques while it’s known to help reduce inflammation and oxidative damage. As a result, turmeric might help prevent Alzheimer’s or slow its progression.

4. Lowers the risk of heart disease: Heart disease is the biggest killer in the world. Turmeric antioxidant curcumin may help reverse many steps in the heart disease process. Curcumin enhances the functioning of the lining of blood vessels enabling it to better regulate blood pressure and blood clotting. As a result, this helps protect your cardiovascular system.

To maximise the health benefits, it is important that you use turmeric grown from the Alleppey region in India as this area grows turmeric with the highest level of antioxidant curcumin. It is also important to consume turmeric with a hint of black pepper which contains the enzyme piperine which increases the bodies ability to absorb curcumin by up to 2000%.

We have a very popular Turmeric Matcha Tea blend (suitable for making a turmeric latte or a tea) which uses high quality Alleppey turmeric and has been blended with green tea, cinnamon, nutmeg and the necessary hint of black pepper.

You can also check out these great recipes you can make with our Turmeric Matcha Tea:

For more info on the health benefits of turmeric, head on over to Be Healthy where the lovely Kate has explained 20 amazing health benefits of turmeric.

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3 Ways with Turmeric

how to cook with turmeric

How to cook with turmeric

Turmeric is so much more than just a golden spice. It contains the active ingredient, curcumin, which has many incredible health benefits. It is a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, which can help prevent cancer, Alzheimers, and heart disease. Plus, it’s such a versatile ingredient, which can be added to both sweet and savoury dishes. So here are three simple ways for how to cook with turmeric and easily introduce it into your diet.

  1. Drink it

How to cook with turmeric - Turmeric Matcha Tea Latte

Add a little turmeric to make a super healthy and delicious drink. Golden lattes, turmeric teas and turmeric spiced smoothies are amongst the many emerging flavours.

To make your own turmeric tea or latte, we have a high quality Turmeric Matcha Mix which has been blended with green tea, cinnamon, nutmeg and a hint of black pepper. Simply mix it with a milk of your choice! For an Anti-Inflammatory Spiced Latte recipe, click here.

 

  1. Add it to sweet treats

    How to cook with turmeric - turmeric pancakes

Turmeric makes a great addition to sweet treats, with it’s earthy aroma blending perfectly with citrus fruits and ginger. Why not jazz up your pancake batter with this Turmeric Green Tea Pancake Recipe, or surprise your loved ones with these healthy and simple Turmeric & Matcha Bliss Balls – perfect for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up.

 

  1. Warm up your savoury cooking

How to cook with turmeric - riceWith its golden colour, turmeric can enhance the colour of food – especially if you’re cooking with grains, which can often look a little bland.

Just add half a teaspoon to beaten eggs, to intensify the warm colour of scrambled eggs. Or spice up your quinoa, by adding a teaspoon of turmeric along with lemon and a pinch of salt.

 

To maximise the health benefits, make sure you use turmeric grown from the Alleppey region in India as turmeric grown here has the highest level of antioxidant curcumin. It is also important to consume turmeric with a hint of black pepper. This contains the enzyme piperine which increases the body’s ability to absorb curcumin by up to 2000%. Check out our friends over at CogniTune for more info on the health benefits of turmeric.

Our Turmeric Matcha Mix uses a high quality Alleppey turmeric which has been blended with green tea, cinnamon, nutmeg and that necessary hint of black pepper, to help with absorption.

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Matcha Green Tea Powder and Caffeine

matcha green tea powder caffeine

All you need to know about matcha green tea powder and caffeine

…And why many people are swapping their daily coffee for a matcha green tea.

Matcha green tea has been used as a drink to enhance energy and concentration for over 800 years in Japanese culture, and today it’s becoming increasingly popular in Australia too. Not only are there heaps of health benefits, but it also enhances energy and concentration.

There are three main reasons for this:

1. With matcha, there is a slower absorption of caffeine which gives you a longer energy boost.

When you drink matcha you receive an incredibly high level of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals as well as a long and steady release of caffeine.

The caffeine is absorbed and released slowly by the body over a period of 6-8 hours. This means that matcha provides a sustainable energy boost without the rapid 30-minute spike, energy slump, sleepless nights, and “jitters” associated with coffee.

 

Matcha-vs-coffee-energy-infograph-1

 

 

2. Matcha tea contains theanine, which releases that ‘zen’ feeling.

Tea is the only plant that makes the amino acid theanine. And because matcha plantations are shaded before harvest, matcha contains the highest concentration of theanine. Theanine is known for its ability to increase alpha waves in the brain and promote calmness and alert concentration, giving matcha users a great “zen” state.  Controlled experiments have shown that theanine has a positive effect on the mind and improves memory by increasing dopamine levels. Additionally, the alpha brain waves increase 40 minutes after a person consumes theanine, making this a great drink for students or professionals.

3. It’s full of vitamins and minerals, and contains 137x the antioxidants of standard green tea.

Matcha provides 3.25mg of calcium, 1.85mg of vitamin C, 20.5mg of potassium and 274mg of protein per serving amidst other vitamins and antioxidants that outnumber superfoods like goji and acai berries. If you compare that to what you’d get from a tea bag – one bowl of matcha is equivalent to approximately 10 cups of regular green tea. That is because matcha powder uses the entire green tea leaf, instead of just dipping the leaf in hot water which provides only around 10% of the plant’s nutrients.

Although both matcha and coffee stimulate alertness, matcha releases caffeine over time and its high concentration of theanine means that the caffeine is better harnessed to promote focus and concentration.

 

If you’re interested in swapping your regular latte or tea for a matcha recipe, here are a couple of recipes to get you started:

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Matcha helps prevent and fight breast cancer

matcha green tea powder breast cancer

It is well known in scientific research how antioxidant EGCG helps in the fight against and the prevention of cancer. Matcha green tea powder contains the highest concentration of EGCG where the University of Colorado found that matcha green tea contained up to 137 times more EGCG than regular green tea.

Here are few of the amazing benefits of EGCG in matcha green tea, specifically referring to Breast Cancer. There are countless studies that demonstrate the power of EGCG as an effective Tumour Terminator. Here are just a few:

  1.   Suppresses inflammation and aggressive estrogen mediators in breast tissue.
  2.   Causes Breast Cancer cells to die
  3.   Suppresses the new blood flow that feeds Breast Cancer tumor
  4.   Reverses epigenetic changes and prevents DNA damage that is often seen in Breast Cancer
  5.   Suppresses stem cell production in human Breast Cancer

For women especially, studies show that the single biggest preventative measure for breast cancer is good nutrition. Dr Kristi Pado Funk, Pink Lotus Breast Cancer Centre states that “Three cups of green tea a day decreases breast cancer risk by half.”

So what are the takeaways?

  1.  Maintain a healthy, balanced diet full of nutrients to maximise your consumption of cancer fighting antioxidants
  2. Drink matcha green tea daily so you are flooding your body with the most powerful cancer fighting antioxidant EGCG
  3. Get regular breast cancer screenings because early detection saves lives

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10 Great Ways to Improve Your Sleep

“The greatest asset anyone could have is the ability to get a good night’s sleep.”

Well, isn’t that the truth? We all crave a comfortable, uninterrupted and an overall good night’s sleep which makes us fully refreshed to face the morning with vigour. Unfortunately, it does not seem to happen that easily for many of us. If you often toss and turn on your bed struggling to fall asleep at night, then this article is for you.

Read on for 10 practical and proven ways to improve your sleep.

  1.       Create a good bedtime routine

One of the most effective ways of improving your sleep is getting into a relaxing bedtime routine every day that signals your body to cool down and get ready to sleep. This could include a few easy stretches to relax any tension in your muscles, taking a nice warm bath and winding down in general. This is one of the key basics of a good night’s sleep.

  1.       Create a good atmosphere

A good sleep requires a good atmosphere. The human body is naturally designed to go to the sleep mode when it is dark. The artificial lights that surround us can interfere with this natural reaction. Therefore, make sure your bedroom is only dimly lit if needed. Try to have the temperature slightly cold, and make sure there is good ventilation.

  1.       Cut caffeine

A coffee or two a day can make the bad days better, but the intake of caffeine before you go to sleep can drastically interfere with the quality of your sleep. If you are having trouble sleeping, it is recommended that you cut any intake of caffeine at least 6 hours before going to the bed.

matcha latte

If you’re looking for a mid-afternoon energy boost, you can always replace your coffee with a matcha; you’ll still enjoy a caffeine boost, but without the sharp spike and crash often associated with coffee. A standard serving of matcha contains just one fifth of the caffeine contained in a standard cup of coffee. What’s more, the caffeine in matcha is released slower in the body, keeping the energy levels up for longer.

So cutting out those coffees can dramatically improve your sleep. If you’re a real coffee addict, try making your coffee a morning regime; you can have a rich cup of coffee in the morning to celebrate a good night’s sleep.

  1.       Eat lightly

While some might say eating a lot makes them drowsy and helps sleep better, it can actually be harmful to your overall sleep and health in long-term. It is important that you do eat, since a hungry stomach never leads to a good sleep, but reduce the fats and the portion of the food you eat. 

  1.       Put digital devices away

It might feel good to browse memes on the internet till you fall asleep, but using digital devices just before sleeping can affect your eyes and your sleep in general. Make your bedtime a digital-free zone. Let yourself be detached from the rest of the world for a while, and enjoy the bliss that comes from within.

  1.       Read

If you are wondering what you are going to do now that you do not have your phone, you can always curl up on your blankets and read a book the old-fashioned way. The rhythmic movements of your eyes when you read would likely make them tired and slowly put you into a comfortable sleep.

  1.       Have a comfortable bed

Your bed also plays a big part in the quality of your sleep. It is fine to go budget-friendly in all the other aspects of your house, but if there is one thing you should splurge on for your house, it is your bed! Get some extremely comfortable pillows, good quality bed sheets, a fine mattress and a bed that you feel so comfortable that you drift away to sleep right away at the end of every day.

  1.       Put on slow relaxing music

Even as infants, slow and rhythmic sounds had the power to put us into a sleep mode. Find a few wordless and relaxing songs that you can play in the background as you sleep. It will help your mind get to the alpha and beta states more quickly.

  1.       Meditate

Mindfulness meditation is another very effective way of helping your mind and the body calm down, eventually leading to a peaceful sleep. Take slow deep breaths and center your attention to the rhythm of your breathing, while clearing your mind of all other interfering thoughts. You will surely drift to sleep after a while.

  1.   Try sleep therapy

If none of the above methods works, you might need to get some professional help since it could be a graver situation than what it seems. Sleep problems are curable, and you will surely be able to work it through with the help of a therapist.

 

Thanks to Michael Thurston for sharing this article on how to improve your sleep. Michael is the creator of the Five Minutes More a blog about sleep and everything sleep related. He is passionate about the idea that everyone can find ways to improve their life and health through better sleep