As humans, we are meant to sleep during the night and stay awake during the daytime.
There is a good reason for it, and our internal body clock supports it.
To function properly, our body needs 7-9 hours of sleep at night; and melatonin is the hormone that helps us achieve that restful sleep pattern.
Let’s find out how!
What Is Melatonin?
Melatonin is a natural hormone in the body produced by the pineal gland, located near the center of the brain.
This gland stays inactive during the day, but as soon as darkness descends, it comes into action or is “turned on” and starts producing melatonin actively.
Melatonin is released into the blood and is responsible for your sleep cycle.
It also helps regulate other physiological functions of the body such as energy, hormone release, muscle growth, body fat, and brain growth.
How It Helps Sleep Better
The body controls the production levels of melatonin and has its natural sleep and waking up cycle.
Melatonin levels start to rise in the evening or when it starts getting dark, reach the highest during the night and drop in the morning hours when light shines again.
It is also called the “vampire hormone” because of its production in darkness while daylight limits it.
The amount of melatonin produced by the body is also affected by light.
If you feel sleepier during winters, one reason is the earlier production of melatonin due to shorter winter days.
This change in sleep pattern in winters can lead to symptoms of seasonal affective disorder or winter depression.
The natural production of melatonin also drops with age.
However, melatonin can be consumed through supplements as well as some natural food sources such as meats, grains, fruits, and vegetables.
What About Melatonin Supplements
It is important to mention here that there are melatonin supplements available to aid in sleeping.
However, there is a common misconception about them. Melatonin does not help you sleep; rather, it helps regulate your sleep cycle.
It can help with certain sleep disorders that involve poor alignment of your natural sleep cycle with daylight and darkness.
Of course, with any supplements you are unsure of, make sure to talk to your doctor first.
What We Take
My husband has had a tough time sleeping for years and since he started using Isagenix Sleep Spray he’s sleeping really well.
He’s tried straight melatonin drops and GABA but this spray works the best for him.
I don’t regularly need it but when I’ve had a stressful day it helps me shut down my brain and get to sleep.
I often have extra bottles of sleep spray so if you want to try it without going directly thru Isagenix then send me a message.
Sources:
http://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/melatonin-and-sleep
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/sleep-newzzz/201102/melatonin-not-magic-bullet-sleep
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