I found myself yawning in the mid afternoon and craving a strong cup of coffee.
Caffeine is a sleep disruptor so I didn't want to try a cup and opted for decaf tea instead but I still felt weary...
We had been sleeping in a double bed while renovations were being made in our master bedroom so I considered that it may have been the size of the bed but now I am not sure that's true.
I have been quite busy researching sleep, what constitutes a good night sleep, the amount of sleep we need, things that contribute to a poor nights sleep, over the counter sleep aids and their effectiveness and side effects.
What started out as a simple question in my mind turned into hours of online study...it was as if I had fallen down a rabbit hole!
Several readers commented on the use of magnesium supplements to help with sleep, so I looked into that on The Mayo Clinic site. It turns out that I may have a magnesium deficiency...many of the issues associated with a deficiency are things that I have been recently experiencing...
numbness, dizziness, poor sleep, heartburn, irregular heartbeats, muscle spasms, and fatigue.
Magnesium is found in avocados, leafy greens, beans and legumes, whole grains, bananas, almonds, cashew, hazelnuts, popcorn, peanuts, oats, cocoa, dark chocolate seeds - pumpkin, chia, sunflower.
I do not regularly eat nuts, avocados, or chocolate...as they are high in WW points.
Leafy greens of all sorts in salads, various beans, and bananas are consumed frequently.
I have oats in the fall and winter for breakfast but not every morning...
this is a habit I may need to change!
According to one site I checked out approximately 75% of people are deficient in magnesium!
Will follow up with my doctor and have an appointment booked.
I have started taking a pill with my dinner and my FitBit has already registered the imrpovements.
REM is twice what it has been previously and the DEEP sleep is much longer.
I woke up fewer times and feel much better when I wake up in the mornings.
The pharmacist mentioned that many people are experiencing better sleep when they take this supplement. She handed me a pamphlet with a lot of information about magnesium which she encouraged me to read.
After I finished reading about the benefits of the supplement,
I decided to give it a try
she suggested this gentle 200mg dose.
The cost was under $30 for a 4 month supply.
My husband is trying it out too.
I found a new body lotion at the pharmacy...
it absorbs into my skin quickly after my shower.
I have shared this information as it is helping me sleep better...
I suggest that you check with your physician before trying this supplement.
If you are deficient, a simple blood test can test for the level.
Wishing you a lovely week.
Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.
~ Be Well and Be Kind ~
14 comments:
Thanks for the good information which I will forward to my mom who, at times, has issues with sleep. Of course, she's in her 80s, so there is that. I fear this issue tends to get worse the older we get. One thing regarding my mom and sleep - she does sleep better since she and my dad switched to twin beds. My dad did it under protest and still doesn't like it, but one needs sleep and my mom has found having her own bed a help.
Great post ! Have also done a lot of research on Magnesium lately and have read everything you report. People do sleep better and it also has a calming affect generally which probably helps the sleep patterns. Just wanted to add - when you see your doctor and they draw your blood to check your magnesium level it often times will still be normal in the results. (My husband and daughter are physicians and told me this !). That's because the level in your blood at that time was within normal limits, but not necessarily as high as it should be as a whole in your body. The magnesium supplement will help and it sounds like you are on a very safe dose !
I'm so glad you are finding relief for not sleeping - it's so uncomfortable to be tired all of the time. I take magnesium and think it helps me.
So good to hear you are sleeping better now. Yes, magnesium supplements have always helped my husband and I - we take them with our dinner most nights. So glad you found them.
Aha! Thanks for the tip, good sleep is so crucial for a good day.
My mom had been diagnosed with low magnesium too and she slept poorly for many years. I think it’s making a huge difference for me and am grateful to have discovered this supplement. Single beds work for many older couples. We have friends who have resorted to separate bedrooms due to snoring issues!
The blood level ranges vary for my thyroid too...I think I need a higher dose of the medication but usually my levels are in the normal range...it’s frustrating but we can’t prescribe our own dosage!
Good to know Lorrie, it certainly has made me sleep better. I almost can’t believe how fast it works.
It definitely helps us get a better quality of sleep and I feel so much more energy when I have had a restful night. Good to know it helps you too.
I do agree...waking up with energy and not feeling groggy is a real gift!
Thank you, Leslie, for the list of symptoms, check, check, and check...Magnesium supplements are now on the list for the next shopping trip. Regarding the bed problem; my husband has a very sensitive foot after an accident and if I touched it during sleep, it would wake him up and he would not be able to get back to sleep. We have separate beds, separate sheets and blankets but smooshed together with a king-sized coverlet covering both. It works well for us. Carol in VT
I've been taking 100 mg of magnesium with dinner for years. A friend recently suggested that I take it at bedtime instead, because I've been having sleep problems, mostly early waking. I made this change and noticed immediate improvement. Just thought I'd mention it in case anyone is interested.
I will have to get a FitBit - so interesting to track sleep quality!
I've taken magnesium at bedtime for many years and it does help with sleep, and other things as well. So glad it's helping you.
It's important to note the kind of magnesium to take to help with sleep issues - Magnesium Glycinate (like you have) is the one that has been studied and proven helpful to women with sleep issues/menopause, etc.
Post a Comment