Three surprising tips for better sleep
● Track your infradian cycle. ‘Studies have shown that you’re twice as likely to experience insomnia before and during the menstruation phase (days one to five of your period), says sleep expert Martin Seeley at MattressNextDay. ‘Progesterone levels are low, which can cause you to have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. In the follicular phase (days six to 14), oestrogen levels start to rise, which boosts your mood and energy levels, leading to a deeper, more restorative sleep. You’ll often experience increased rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and have more vivid dreams, too. This is generally the best phase for sleep, so make sure you allow yourself to prioritise rest at this time, to make the most of the quality sleep you’re able to get.’
● Lola Biggs, registered dietitian at Together Health, says, ‘Magnesium plays an important role in supporting more than 300 different enzymes in the body, and has multiple health benefits. When it comes to disturbed sleep, magnesium deficiency can be the reason. Eat more magnesium-rich foods, including almonds, walnuts, oily fatty fish, dark leafy greens, turkey, and seeds, as these contain the
