Creating Healthy Habits around Sleep and Stress

  • category
    Category
  • dateNovember 2, 2021
  • time6 min read

Key Takeaways

  • Supplements such as melatonin and St. John’s Wort can support quality sleep and reduced stress*.
  • For kids, vitamins C and D help support a healthy immune system.* A healthy immune system can positively affect sleep and stress.
  • Other ways to get a good night’s sleep and curb stress include eating a balanced diet, regular exercise, meditation and speaking to a healthcare provider.
Body

A good night’s sleep helps set the tone for the rest of our day. So, can you believe that one in three adults in the US are sleep deprived?1 Of these adults, 48% have reported lying awake at night due to stress.2 Stress triggers the body’s fight or flight response, which releases adrenaline in the body. But have no fear! We’ve got a few ways to help you simmer down those stress levels and support sound, quality sleep during periods of occasional sleeplessness or occasional stress*.

Melatonin to support sleep*

Melatonin is a hormone the brain naturally produces in response to darkness, which signals the body to sleep. Being exposed to bright light at night can interfere with melatonin production and make it more difficult to doze off.3 That’s also why it’s widely recommended to turn off devices like your phone or laptop before bed. To help support melatonin levels in the body, you can also take the hormone as a supplement.

Melatonin 5 mg Gummies are a delicious way to help to maintain normal sleep cycles.* Chew two strawberry-flavored gummies 30 minutes before bed to enjoy restful, quality sleep.*

Melatonin 10 mg Capsules are a drug-free sleep aid that nutritionally supports sound sleep.* They are also non-GMO^, gluten-free and sesame-free.

One Dissolvable Melatonin 5 mg Microlozenge, 30 minutes before bed, supports sound, quality sleep.* They are also free of gluten, dairy and artificial flavors.

St. John’s Wort to help support stress relief*

St. John’s Wort is a flowering plant native to Europe, whose use has dated back to the ancient Greeks. The flower has commonly been used to support and regulate mood levels.4 In turn, an uplifted mood can help the body to better manage stress.5 One way to add St. John’s Wort to your diet and help curb stress is through an herbal supplement.

St John’s Wort Standardized 300 mg Capsules support a positive mood.* They are also non-GMO^, gluten-free, dairy-free and free of artificial flavor.

Support for kids: stress, sleep and the immune system*

The immune system contains molecules that signal the body to sleep and helps regulate the body’s response to stress.6 With a healthy immune system, your little one can get a good night of rest. For kids, a vitamin C and vitamin D supplement help support the immune system.*

Kids Vitamin C Gummies help support a healthy immune system and general health.* One yummy orange-flavored gummy taken daily can help to satisfy your child’s daily vitamin C needs.*

Kids Vitamin D3 Gummies maintain a healthy immune system by helping to regulate lymphocytes and other immune cells.* They also support neuromuscular health so that kids can maintain an active lifestyle.*

Other ways to curb stress and get restful sleep

1. Exercise during the day

Exercise is an all-around fantastic form of stress relief with too many benefits to count. Working up a sweat can relieve tension in the body and release endorphins, a chemical linked to positive mood levels. Exercise is also a productive way of using up energy during the daytime, which can make it easier to fall into a restful sleep.

2. Skip the late-night snacking

Due to the body’s internal clock, appetite is usually greater at night.7 Appetite and food cravings can also be compounded by stress. Under stress, people tend to turn to ‘comfort foods,’ which are usually low in nutritional value.8 Close the snack cupboard at least three hours before bed, as your late-night meal may be contributing to reduced sleep quality.9

3. Kick back and relax before bed

Carve out some time before bed to practice some self-care! Meditation in a quiet and dimly lit space can help to curb stress by calming the mind and relaxing the body. Studies have shown that meditation before bed can also positively impact melatonin levels.10

4. Set your alarm, and stick to it

Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day can make it easier for your body to fall asleep at night and wake up feeling less groggy. Once you establish a regular sleeping schedule, the body will naturally become more sleepy once bedtime comes around—it’s a bit like muscle memory. Your body will remember!

5. Speak to your healthcare provider

Along with supplements, you can make various healthy choices to curb stress and support restful, quality sleep. If stress and sleep continue to be an issue, speak to a healthcare provider about other methods you can adopt to help you find your zen and the sound sleep you deserve.

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Sources:
  1. https://www.sleepassociation.org/about-sleep/sleep-statistics
  2. https://www.stress.org/daily-life
  3. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/melatonin-what-you-need-to-know
  4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17918039/
  5. https://www.verywellmind.com/links-between-happiness-and-stress-relief-3144629
  6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3538178/
  7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3655529/
  8. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/why-stress-causes-people-to-overeat
  9. https://www.verywellhealth.com/eating-before-bed-3014981
  10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3328970/

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

The information provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The information on this website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Sundown® site.

^Applies to all Sundown Kids Products manufactured after 5/1/20 and Sundown products. Please check back of label for product information.

Traditional use claims are based on historical or traditional practices. St. John’s Wort has a long history of use for uplifting mood dating back to ancient Greek medicine.