Sleep might be a necessity, but that doesn’t mean it always comes easily. Most of us have probably had those nights where we’ve lied there, trying to drift off and not being able to. There are all sorts of remedies that people suggest in such situations, from drinking warm milk to ditching the electronics an hour or two before bed. Unfortunately, these don’t always help.
If all those familiar sleep aids aren’t doing you any good, perhaps it’s time to adopt some sleep hacks from around the world? It’s amazing how so many people across the globe have their own ways of trying to achieve the same results. While some may feel more natural for you to adopt than others, there are certain world sleep hacks that just might work.
Taking ashwagandha apparently helps plenty of people sleep in India
You might be in two minds about whether herbal remedies are any good or not. However, studies seem to have found that ashwagandha - which has been used in Indian Ayurveda medicine for centuries - could have some real benefits. A 2020 study reportedly discovered that this stuff can improve sleep quality and help you fall asleep quicker. Another study in 2021 also seemed to back up the use of ashwagandha, finding that it had a “small but significant” impact, particularly on people struggling with insomnia.
Soaking your feet in hot water is recommended in China
One of the recommendations for improving sleep in China is to soak your feet in hot water. With roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine, this method is supposedly good at drawing your qi down from your head, which helps you to feel more relaxed. You can put ingredients like Epsom salt, fruit peels, and skin-safe essential oils in the water, which you should rest your feet in before bed every night. Not only could this help you to drift off, but it ought to leave you with a pleasant fragrance as well.
A Japanese shikibuton could potentially help with back pain while sleeping
It’s possible that the main reason you’re struggling to drift off is because of pain, particularly in your back. If that’s the case, the solution to your troubles might be to try a different mattress. Rather than just replacing the one you’ve got with a similar model, though, why not try a shikibuton? It’s pretty popular in Japan and is believed to help support the spine and reduce lower back pain. Plus, it’s easy to roll up and stow away when you don’t need it, so you don’t have to worry about it eating up space in your home.
Hammocks are supposedly considered legitimate sleeping options in some of the Americas
If a shikibuton isn’t to your liking, what about a hammock? Plenty of Americans like to relax in them in the yard. However, in Central and South America, these things are reportedly considered legitimate sleeping options. Although most studies have only identified the benefits for babies that sleep in hammocks, there is a belief that the rocking of these things could help anyone to sleep better. Apparently, people usually fall asleep quicker in hammocks than they do in standard beds. It’s no wonder people love taking afternoon naps in them.
Elk and Välling are worth having before bed, according to the Swedes
People tend to advise against eating before bed as it can mess with your sleep. However, in Sweden, there are a few things that are apparently worth eating or drinking close to bed to help you rest. A favored beverage is Välling, which is made from cereal and milk and contains helpful compounds like tryptophan, magnesium, and serotonin. Meanwhile, on the food side of things, Swedes reportedly recommend elk. There’s supposedly over 0.5 grams of tryptophan in 100 grams of this meat, with a 2022 study discovering that more than a gram of this compound can help with sleep.
A sauna session can help you relax, according to people in Finland
The best way to improve your ability to sleep is usually to help your body relax more before bed. One way that you can do that is by chilling out in a sauna, just like they apparently do in Finland. It’s reportedly a tradition in this Scandinavian country to use a sauna before bed because it relaxes the muscles and makes a person sleepy. A 2019 survey reportedly found that most respondents noted improved sleep after using a sauna, with people generally recording higher mental well-being the more they used it.
It can be incredibly frustrating when you can’t sleep, especially because it can have a significant effect on how you feel the following day. Frequent issues with getting adequate rest can really impact your well-being, so if your current methods aren’t working out, try some of these. We can’t guarantee that they will fix your issues, but there’s a decent chase these world sleep hacks could help.
https://teddyfeed.com/post/3877/world-sleep-hacks-that-just-might-work
