Having trouble catching those zzz’s? You’re not the only one. According to the CDC, about 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep problems. Talk about national unrest. Lack of sleep has a host of side effects, from poor quality of life to less productivity at work. If you're one of the millions who suffer from bouts of insomnia, you’ve come to the right place.
Sleep aids are popular remedies for soothing the restless and getting better sleep. An estimated 3 million Americans use herbal supplements like melatonin but magnesium, valerian root, and L-theanine are also commonly found in many natural sleep aids. We’ve rounded up the best sleep aids to give you peace of mind and help you sleep soundly through the night. Don’t forget to check out our FAQ at the end where we answer some common questions about natural sleep aids and give tips for getting a better night’s rest.
This list of products was determined by ratings and reviews from Grove members.
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This Ora Organic Sleep Aid Supplement is made with magnesium and organic, plant-based ingredients — tart cherry, Siberian ginseng, lemon balm, passion flower, and valerian root extract — to help promote quality sleep. Ora Organic’s studies suggest the "You’re A Knockout" formulation is also shown to help calm the nervous system and relieve stress …
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It’s not something we think about but sweat and body oils can really build up on our bedding over time — yuck! This method Laundry Booster – Sleep works alongside your regular detergent to leave your sheets, linens, and bedding fresh, clean, and softer than when washed with just laundry detergent. It’s made without parabens, phthalates, and …
Sleep tight every night and bring an easy, at-home nighttime routine to any room in your house with this San Francisco Salt Co Epsoak Everyday Sleep Formula. This Espom salt soak relieves soreness, eases stress, soothes aches, and cleanses skin all in one simple use. It uses natural ingredients such as magnesium sulfate and is infused with a …
Some nights, dreamland just doesn’t come easy and neither does getting your children down for a peaceful night’s rest. For troublesome nights or for getting your children back on track when it comes to their sleep schedule, use Zarbee's Naturals Children's Sleep Melatonin Supplement. This melatonin for kids is especially formulated for children …
Craving a good night’s sleep, but you can’t calm your mind and body enough to catch some z’s? Natural Vitality CALM® Sleep Gummies contain 3mg of melatonin per serving plus L-theanine, an amino acid that supports relaxation. Help yourself ease into restful sleep with these delicious blueberry-pomegranate flavored magnesium supplements.
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You don’t have to live in a dreamworld to think you can sleep well when you’re stressed. Gaia Herbs SleepThru formula is made with a balanced blend of soothing and stress-supportive herbs to promote a goodnight’s rest.* Formulated with the adaptogen ashwagandha, passionflower, and jujube date, it’s designed to support the body’s stress pathways …
Say goodbye to restless nights of tossing and turning. This Little Moon Essentials Sleep Comes Easy – Mist is handmade in the U.S. without parabens or sulfates, and it’s vegan and suitable for even sensitive skin types. This sleep-aid spray uses essential oils to promote relaxation and a better night’s sleep. Its easy-to-use spray bottle is perfect …
Longing for some shut-eye, but can’t get enough rest? The Good Patch Plant Based Dream Patch is infused with the dreamy goodness of melatonin (10mg), hops (4mg), and valerian root (3mg) to promote quality sleep. Each 4-pack includes state-of-art transdermal patches in a resealable packet that’s easily stored.
Lights off, balm on. This Badger Balm Sleep Balm calms you before you’re ready to hit the hay. It’s a blend of essential oils like lavender and bergamot that help you clear your mind, relax, and drift off to sleep naturally, a healthier sleep aid compared to powerful drugs or supplements. It’s paraben-free, sulfate-free, fragrance-free, dye-free, …
Keep the light out and awaken refreshed with the EcoTools Sleep Mask. These masks let you catch your beauty sleep in luxurious comfort with a satiny-soft lining that keeps your skin fresh as you slumber. Don't let the morning sun stir you before you're ready! This mask is oversized to block out light and help you sleep undisturbed.
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Every person is different but, generally, the most popular natural sleep aid is melatonin. It comes in liquids, pills, patches, and gummies, plus it has few to no side effects, is non-habit forming, and it’s formed naturally in the body. Melatonin is a hormone — often called the “sleep hormone” — that’s released by the pineal gland. The pineal gland takes in info from the environment about the time of day and, once the sun begins to set, starts sending more melatonin into the body. Melatonin evokes a quiet wakefulness in the body that promotes sleepiness as the day comes to an end.
In order to get the most out of your melatonin sleep aid, the supplements should be taken about two hours before you go to bed. To help it do its job, try to keep the lights in your home low and avoid electronics in the hours before you settle into bed. Light of any kind can repress melatonin production and effectiveness but blue light from television and phone screens have an especially negative effect on the sleep hormone.
Don’t wanna take melatonin, you say? No problem. There are plenty of other melatonin-free sleep aids available that’ll get the job done. Look for sleep aids that contain valerian root, passion flower, chamomile tea, or L-theanine. These natural supplements all do their part to promote sleep in the sleepless.
Magnesium is a mineral naturally produced in the body that can help folks suffering from an inability to sleep. It’s well-known for its ability to relax muscles and induce sleep. It also increases levels of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), a brain messenger that promotes calmness. Interested in trying out magnesium? Grove writer Kristen tried Calm Gummies, a magnesium supplement that promotes calm and relaxation. Get the skinny on these fruit-flavored gummies and see what Kristen thought of them!
One of the best ways to get a good night’s sleep is to create a bedtime routine that promotes relaxation. Keeping your room at a cool temperature, reducing light and noise (especially from electronics!), and avoiding eating or drinking before bedtime can make it easier to drift off into the land of nod. Read up on our guide to setting up a bedtime routine for more tips and tricks on how to achieve those gorgeous, elusive zzz’s.
While natural sleep aids are fine for most people, even gentle sleep aids like melatonin could have negative side effects depending on age or when paired with certain prescription medications. Folks with health concerns like high blood pressure should always consult their doctor or primary care provider before taking any herbal supplements.
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