If you are having trouble sleeping and don’t want to take melatonin, keep reading. This guide will help you find the best alternatives to the sleep aid. You may not be able to take it due to certain medical issues.
However, there are alternatives out there that are proven to work. We’ll provide you with a list of those shortly. You deserve a good night’s sleep no matter how the day goes.
On average, we need about 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night. That can be hard to come by if you are struggling. Rest assured (no pun intended), we’ll make sure you get consistent nights of restful sleep with the help of these alternative sleep aids that might work to your advantage.
If getting good sleep is your goal, you don’t want to miss what we have in store. Let’s take a look at the following:
Magnesium
First, we begin with magnesium. This is a mineral that can be helpful for sleep. Not to mention, it does a good job providing you with excellent brain functions and a healthy heart.
You can take magnesium every night to help relax your mind and body. When this happens, you’ll have a better chance of falling asleep fast. How much do you need per night?
According to studies, you can take up to 500 mg per night for a good night’s sleep. You can also take up to 225 mg if you need to (but it would need to be combined with other supplements such as zinc).
Lavender
Lavender is considered one of the go-to scents for relaxation. So it’s no wonder why such essential oils like lavender are the best Melatonin alternatives. This can be used in multiple ways.
This can be useful for those who are dealing with mild forms of insomnia. This has also been effective for younger people and even females. But that doesn’t mean you can’t use it for yourself whether you are male, female, young, or oil.
About 80 mg of lavender oil will just be enough to help you sleep. Or you can use an essential oil diffuser that will get the job done. Either way, lavender might just save the night for you.
Tryptophan
Yes, it’s found in turkey, and believe it or not, bananas. This is an amino acid that will help you fall asleep fast while improving your sleep quality. At least one gram per day will do the trick.
You may not find this in many stores that sell supplements. You may find it online if you’re lucky. Otherwise, you can eat enough food that may contain tryptophan.
When you’re filled, you’ll start to feel tired and get a good night’s sleep. Maybe that explains why you were tired all those times after Thanksgiving.
Valerian Root
This herb originates from Asia and Europe. It’s been used to treat menopause and even some mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. However, it can be used for improving sleep quality.
The evidence may be little known, but it can be worth a shot. You’ll want to take anywhere from 300 to 900 mg every night. This should be taken right before bedtime.
There have been some studies that have pointed towards positive results with valerian, however, it was based on the reports made by participants of the study. So the results could vary from person to person.
This is an optional supplement, so you don’t need to take it right away. But you can find it online in places where supplements are sold (and even some retail stores as well).
Sleep masks
Sleep masks are known to block off light, which can reduce your natural melatonin levels. There are sleep masks that may look snazzy in design. But all you need is something that will help you sleep fast.
Many of them are available in so many different materials. Choose one that feels comfortable, add ear plugs to the mix and you’ll get a good night's sleep. Find a simple sleep mask that fits your needs and budget and give it a shot.
You’ll never know if they are worth the use even without taking a single supplement.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for alternatives to melatonin, these five listed above are your best options. You may not be able to take it for whatever reason at all. But thankfully, there are safe alternatives you can depend on.
Since some of them are supplements, you may want to talk to your doctor before taking them. This may be due to the fact that it may have adverse effects (if such exist). Above all, you deserve a good night’s sleep and you can do what it takes to get it without ever needing to use melatonin.
