Is our sleep and our mood are closely connected?
Yes. While a restful deep sleep can support feelings of energy and good mental wellbeing, a change in sleep patterns or sleep disturbances can often leave us feeling irritable, low or unmotivated. High levels of stress and an unbalanced mood can also directly affect our ability to fall asleep easily, as well as sleep soundly throughout the night.
Our nervous system influences all the processes that regulate sleep and mood.
Our body makes neurotransmitters that send messages to different parts of our body about sleeping, waking, and our emotions. Having balanced stress hormones is very important for positive emotions and healthy sleep patterns. Too much or too little of them at the wrong time of day or night can really confuse your body. When your stress hormones are well balanced it should be much easier to get to sleep, stay asleep, and wake up refreshed in the morning.
Along with stress management, natural sleep supplements and natural mood supplements can be used to help support your nervous system. There are a number of researched nutrients, like minerals, vitamins and herbal extracts that support a healthy nervous system, assisting a good night’s sleep and balanced mood. These include:
- Magnesium, B-vitamins and zinc, to support the healthy production of neurotransmitters and sleep hormones
- Herbs such as St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea), and Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) help support balanced levels of stress hormones and calm stressed minds
- Tart cherry extract, a rich source of natural plant-melatonin, is great to help normal circadian rhythms
- 5-HTP and SAMe are natural precursors to calming neurotransmitters that support mood and sleep
