↑

I Dream of Sleep

Natural solutions for a good night's sleep

  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
  • Sleep Health
    • Simple Sleep Solutions
  • Sleep Remedies
  • Snoring
  • Shop
    • Sleep Journal Workbook
    • The Insomniac’s Essential Oil Guidebook
  • The Blog

How to Fix Insomnia Naturally by Using Magnesium as a Sleep Aid

207 shares
  • Share24
  • Tweet

My Lack of Magnesium Could be Causing my Insomnia? Seriously??

How to Fix Insomnia Naturally by Using Magnesium as a Sleep AidFix Insomnia by just using magnesium as a sleep aid? Um, yeah…..okay.

For the better part of ten years I spent my nights wide awake and my mornings feeling drugged. OMG, I was sooo tired of being tired! I’d tried sleeping pills, OTC sleep aids, and some really weird natural remedies to get to sleep.

I really wanted a natural sleep aid that would work, without making me feel like I’d been out all night partying the next morning.

But could the reason I’d been spent the better part of 10 years cranky and sleep deprived because I was low in magnesium? That’s why five years ago when I learned about magnesium’s sleep benefits and decided I wanted to try using magnesium as a sleep aid.

 

The Amazing Sleep Benefits of Magnesium

much magnesium help sleepKAL – Magnesium Glycinate 400, 180 tablets

Did you know that insomnia is the main symptom of a magnesium deficiency?  Magnesium  is needed by every cell of your body, all the way from a hormonal level to a muscular level.

I found out this is why I had insomnia for years. My diet and lifestyle had made me chronically magnesium deficient.

Taking magnesium every night pretty much eliminated my chronic insomnia. Aside from a night here or there, I was and am getting more sleep than I have in years.

I was sleeping better, but I also noticed other improvements, too. I was able to handle stress better and I didn’t have TMJ issues at night anymore. I felt like a new woman!

&

&

Here’s just a few ways magnesium helps your sleep quality:

  • Decreases cortisol, a stress hormone that keeps you awake, and if elevated over time can make your butt big!
  • It’s a natural muscle relaxer.
  • Helps regulate blood sugar. (Blood sugar dips and spikes make you wake up suddenly)
  • Calms the central nervous system and starts the wind down process.
  • Relieves restless leg syndrome.

You can see how easy it is for you to have insomnia if you’re not getting enough magnesium. Without it it just wrecks your whole night.

How do I Know if I Need to Start Using Magnesium as a Sleep Aid?

The National Sleep Foundation says over 40 million Americans suffer from insomnia. That’s a lot of cranky people! We’re all sleep deprived, and I think it’s partly caused by our magnesium zapping Western lifestyle and diet.

If you eat a lot of processed food, sugary desserts, drink soft drinks often, there’s a good chance you could be low in magnesium. If you take allergy or birth control pills, your magnesium could be deficient.

In fact, all of these actually SUCK magnesium out of your body:

  • Carbonated sodashow much magnesium can help sleep, and what is the right kind to take
  • Coffee
  • Alcohol
  • Sugar
  • Processed foods
  • Stress
  • Birth control pills
  • Antibiotics
  • Antihistamines

So you’re probably thinking, “I’m zen, I eat pretty clean and don’t take medicines, so I’m good!”

Um, maybe not.

Commercial overfarming has leeched minerals in the ground, which means it doesn’t make its way to fruits and vegetables. Another reason to eat organic I guess!

If you can’t sleep night after night and you can check any of those boxes, there’s a pretty good chance your magnesium is low and using magnesium as a sleep aid might be something you’d want to try.

How to Take Magnesium to Sleep Better Every Night!

First off, let me just say if you are taking any medications and/or have any major health issues, it’s best to talk to your doctor before you start taking anything over the counter, even if it is natural.

 Take 400-600 mg about 30 minutes before bed.

Now that we have that little disclaimer out of the way, let’s talk about what and how you should take magnesium to help you sleep.

I am going to say something here, and if you take nothing else away from this post, please just remember this:

THE TYPE OF MAGNESIUM YOU TAKE MATTERS!

Magnesium works great as a sleep aid, until you buy the wrong kind and get diarrhea. Certain types of magnesium draws water to your intestines and acts as a laxative.

Trust me, I’ve been there, done that. You don’t want that.

To avoid diarrhea, you MUST use magnesium glycinate, magnesium citrate, or chelated magnesium.  Using these types of magnesium as a sleep aid won’t give you the runs and you should notice an improvement in your sleep.

Unfortunately, most stores don’t carry any of those, except maybe certain health food stores. I buy mine on Amazon and I’m always able to get it at a really good price.

much magnesium help sleepMagnesium Glycinate 400mg 180 tablets (Pack of 2)magnesium better sleepSolgar Chelated Magnesium Tablets, 250 Countmagnesium better sleepNow Foods Magnesium Citrate 200mg, 250 Tablets

&

Other Ways to Take Magnesium to Help you Sleep Better

Magnesium Lotion for sleepMagnesium Body Lotion 8oz

In addition to taking it orally, soaking it in through your skin is a really good (and relaxing!) way to use magnesium as a sleep aid.

One of the easiest ways to do it, (my favorite way!), is by soaking in Epsom salts, which is a form of magnesium and isn’t actually salt at all. Also try a soak in other bath salts that are sleep inducing so your skin can drink up magnesium.

After you get out of your bath, I also recommend rubbing down in magnesium oil or magnesium lotion for sleep. All of this extra magnesium really helps you drift off to sleep effortlessly, and you won’t have to worry about gastric issues either.

&

&

You can eat your way to sleep, too. Certain foods have uber amounts of magnesium, like molasses. Just one tablespoon contains 48 milligrams.

Knocking back a couple tablespoons of pure molasses is kind of sickening, and eating a couple dozen gingerbread cookies to get that one tbsp will get you nothing but fat.

But you can drink a gingerbread flavored molasses sleep tonic about an hour before bed to get a double dose of magnesium to help you fall asleep.

Magnesium = Better Sleep

best magnesium to take for sleepIt’s been about five years since I started using magnesium as a sleep aid. Do I still have problems sleeping? Occasionally. But I don’t have the awake all night, every night insomnia like I used to. What usually keeps me awake now is either because I can’t turn off my brain and sleep or I’m having trouble relaxing before bed.

If you have chronic insomnia, taking magnesium is a good sleep supplement to try. You can’t get too much magnesium built up in your body, so it’s safe to take every night for long stretches.

So quit being all tired and cranky. Try using magnesium as a natural sleep remedy and fix your insomnia naturally and permanently.

After this look into the sleep benefits of magnesium, read up on how long it takes for magnesium to work for sleep. Then, learn why natural sleep remedies you’ve tried in the past haven’t worked.

Related Posts
Proven Powerful Natural Sleeping Aids that Work Fast
best natural sleep aids insomnia

When you're an Insomniac, you Figure out What Works Do you have trouble sleeping night after night and you're just Read more

10 Natural Ways to Promote Sleep Effortlessly
Simple tips and ideas to improve your sleep naturally and kick insomnia to the curb

Finding Natural Ways to Promote Sleep is Essential... Ideally, you go to bed at night, fall asleep, sleep through the Read more

Insomnia Busting White Noise Machines for Sleeping
Best Selling White Noise Machines for Sleeping

An Insomniac's Top White Noise Machines for Sleeping I've had trouble sleeping for years now, so long that sometimes I Read more

The Best Homeopathic Sleep Aid: Bach’s Rescue Remedy for Sleep
Bosch's best homeopathic sleep aid for insomnia.

Looking for Sleep in All the Wrong Places...Until I tried Bach's Homeopathic Sleep Aid Do you have insomnia and are looking Read more

207 shares
  • Share24
  • Tweet

About Julia

Hi, I'm Julia, a former insomniac turned sleep diva who knows what it's like to be sleepless. I conquered my insomnia naturally, and now I'm committed to helping others get the sleep they need so they can sleep well, dream big and live life the the fullest. If you'd like to connect with me, shoot me at email at julia@i-dream-of-sleep.com.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

welcome, i'm julia.

A former insomniac turned sleep diva who knows what it's like to be sleepless. I conquered my insomnia naturally, and now I'm committed to helping others get the sleep they need so they can sleep well, dream big and live life the the fullest.

Search for Sleep Solutions

Now on Amazon!

Sleep Journal Cover
A one month workbook to track and record your daily activities and mindset that may be affecting your sleep.
Sleep Better With Cool-jams

Amazon Disclosure

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Don't Forget To Join the Free 7 Day Sleep Challenge!

GET ALL THE TOOLS YOU'LL NEED TO GET STARTED ON YOUR JOURNEY TO BETTER SLEEP

Copyright ©2023, I Dream of Sleep. All Rights Reserved.
Design by Pixel Me Designs