The problem with Daylight Saving Time
Although Daylight Saving Time (DST) was put into place in the U.S. to help conserve fuel during World War I, the issue is that the sun dictates our circadian rhythms (the body’s natural 24-hour clock). When our sunlight exposure is thrown off, our whole system is thrown through a loop.
Time Shift
An hour’s difference may not seem like a huge deal, but it definitely makes a difference in our sleep cycle--and our bodies can need up to five days to adjust after each time shift.
2 DST Lifehacks
Eliminate junk light: It has been said that blue light (from smartphones, computers, LED TVs, etc.) can help you wake up in the morning. But we’ve all had those mornings - we wake up, smartphone in hand, sometimes with our thumb still in scroll position. This, my friends, is not good. Falling asleep to Tumblr or Snap is not in our best interest. Why? Melatonin levels naturally rise at night, but the blue light emitted from our phone suppresses the production of this vital hormone. Help yourself by making your bedroom as dark as possible. Limit screen time in general during the day, and then switch to night mode, reducing blue light exposure. Or better yet, don’t use your phone before bed AT ALL. It’s doable, trust me!
Supplements: It can be difficult to fall asleep at your regular hour during DST--even if you are a pro sleeper. Adding a sleep supplement can help!
- Melatonin - while our bodies naturally produce this hormone, an extra dose can help you relax and fall asleep faster. Melatonin has been shown to improve both sleep quality and duration. Some people use it when their cycle is disrupted by something such as jet lag, and if you work at night and sleep during the day, melatonin can work to your advantage (healthline).
- Valerian Root - research still continues, but this herb is commonly used as a natural treatment for symptoms of menopause, anxiety, and depression. It is most commonly used as a sleep-promoting herbal supplement. Like melatonin, it can even improve the quality of sleep. In some cases, it can help achieve high-quality sleep in adults and children with insomnia.
- Lavender - you may burn lavender candles to wind down after a stressful day at work. It’s a common fragrance used for its soothing properties. But have you heard the research behind lavender supplements? One study gave 221 subjects with mixed anxiety disorder 80 mg of a lavender oil supplement or a placebo per day. By the end of the observation period, both groups had experienced improvements in the quality and duration of sleep. The difference between the groups was the lavender group had 14-24% greater effects, with no reported unpleasant side effects. That’s a difference worth noting.
- Magnesium - this mineral can aid in quieting the mind and body, making it easier to fall asleep. Magnesium’s relaxing effect can be attributed to its melatonin production--remember, melatonin helps guide our sleep-wake cycle. In a study, 46 participants were either given 500 mg of magnesium or a placebo every day for 8 weeks. Those in the magnesium group benefited from overall better sleep quality. In fact, this group had higher blood levels of renin and melatonin, both hormones regulating sleep (healthline).
Creating a Solution with Supplements
The above are some suggestions to get the ball rolling for your next supplement. Your chance at helping hundreds, if not more, customers is only a phone call away. Makers Nutrition knows what’s hot on the market and what sells best in this industry! Reach us at 1-844-625-3771. Let’s get to work on the next great sleep supplement today!
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