Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body, co-factor for over 600 biochemical reactions and known as the anti-stress mineral for its calming effects. One of the many benefits linked to magnesium use is better sleep, which is something we could all do with getting more of.
Good quality sleep is vital for overall wellness, supporting healthy energy levels during the daytime, as well as immune function, cognitive function and more. Poor sleep is linked to many later life diseases and poorer health outcomes. There are many factors that contribute to a poor night’s sleep including bedtime routines: too much screen time before bed, irregular bedtimes, stress, and more. Magnesium deficiency is also strongly linked to insomnia and a poor nights sleep.
Studies have shown that optimal levels of magnesium are needed for normal healthy sleep. Magnesium helps us not only to get off to sleep, but ensures that sleep is deeper and more restful, improving quality of sleep as well as quantity. Low magnesium levels are often linked to un-refreshing sleep and frequent waking during the night. Without sufficient magnesium, sleep stages can become unpredictable, neurons can become excitable and this can cause frequent waking.
Magnesium has a soothing effect on nerve cells and aids relaxation; it’s not known as the anti-stress mineral for nothing. It activates the parasympathetic nervous system (otherwise known as rest and digest), a state where we feel calm and relaxed. Magnesium is vital for muscle relaxation, supporting metabolic slow down as our bodies unwind and prepare for sleep, and regulating key hormones that help us to get off to sleep, and keep us in that deep slumber.
Sleep occurs via a complex process of hormones and neurotransmitters which work together to activate areas of the brain associated with sleep, and inhibit areas associated with wakefulness. Sufficient magnesium levels are required by the body to synthesise melatonin which is our sleep hormone and is critical for good quality sleep and normal sleep-wake cycles. Magnesium also helps to maintain levels of GABA, which is a calming neurotransmitter that also promotes relaxation and sleep.
Magnesium levels can be increased through dietary intake; think leafy greens, whole grains, nuts and seeds, but this is becoming increasingly difficult as modern soils are so depleted. Magnesium is also depleted in the body by stress, exercise, alcohol, caffeine and many prescription drugs; our demands for this vital mineral have never been so high. Supplementing with oral and topical forms of magnesium can help to support healthy magnesium levels and cellular function. Topical magnesium chloride has been shown to be highly absorbable and is able to increase magnesium levels in the body effectively, and efficiently.
Prepare for restful sleep by applying our magnesium oils, or lotions around 30 mins-1 hour before bed, try our Goodnight body lotion with added Melatonin and MSM. Alternatively soak in a warm relaxing bath with our therapeutic magnesium flakes as part of your bedtime routine.
