Aside from money, what’s the one thing that just about everyone in the world could use substantially more of? The answer, of course, is energy. In one survey after another, people consistently complain that they don’t get enough sleep and that they feel chronically tired as a result.
When people feel chronically tired, one of the most common responses is to increase one’s energy levels by taking more stimulants. If you feel like a zombie in the morning, for instance, you might drink an extra cup of coffee.
The problem with stimulants, though, is that they have diminishing returns. The first time you drink an extra cup of coffee, you might feel energized. That effect, however, will quickly fade. Before long, you’ll find yourself drinking extra coffee every day just to feel normal.
If you want to have more energy, the answer is actually to consume fewer stimulants like caffeine and nicotine. You need to increase your sleep quality. That way, your body will have an easier time producing more of its own natural energy.
Are you having trouble relaxing and falling asleep at night? Don’t increase your stimulant use – look for supplements that can help you wind down at the end of the day. These are some of the most popular supplements for relaxation.
Delta-8
Delta-8 is a cannabinoid that’s extracted from industrial hemp and made into supplements that you can consume orally or inhale with a vaping device. It’s federally legal, and the process for making it isn’t too different from the process for making CBD – which is another cannabinoid that you might have heard of if you’ve spent any time reading about the most popular supplements. The difference between Delta-8 and CBD, though, is that the effects of Delta-8 are much more overt. While CBD has no psychoactive effects, Delta-8 is something that you can definitely feel working when you use it. People usually report that Delta-8 produces a very relaxing and sedating effect, so it’s a perfect supplement to use before you go to bed at night. Try a bottle of Delta-8 gummies or some Delta-8 vape juice and see how it works for you.
Kava
Kava is the name of the plant Piper methysticum, and it’s also the name of a beverage made from the roots of that plant. The plant’s roots are harvested, dried and ground into a fine powder. The powder is then made into a beverage that produces an intensely relaxing effect. To prepare ground kava root, put a tablespoon or two of the powder into a fine mesh bag such as a nylon stocking. Place the bag in a bowl of water and squeeze it repeatedly for several minutes. Throw the spent powder away and drink the beverage. Avoid the gritty residue at the bottom of the bowl because it could give you an upset stomach. Kava tastes very bitter, so some people like to chase it with something sweet.
Valerian Root
Valerian root is a supplement that you can find – both as a liquid tincture and as capsules that you can swallow – in almost any store that sells health foods or supplements. You can also find valerian root tea, but many people find the tea’s scent unpleasant. Valerian root has been used as a traditional herbal medicine for thousands of years and is widely thought to promote relaxation and relief from anxiety. People often report that valerian root supplements are helpful for relieving issues such as insomnia and restless legs at night. Clinical studies have produced mixed results, though, so all that you can really do is try valerian for yourself and see how it works for you.
Passionflower
Passionflower – both the leaves and roots of the plant – is another herbal supplement with a long history of traditional use. The use of the plant as a sedative seems to have begun in North America, where the leaves were collected by Native Americans and used in the preparation of a relaxing tea. As with the previous supplement on this last, there is little to no clinical evidence to support the idea that passionflower helps to support relaxation. With that being said, passionflower is generally regarded as safe for consumption – except during pregnancy, because it could induce contractions – so there is little potential for harm in trying it. You can find passionflower in capsule and tincture form, and it’s also commonly added to nighttime teas.
Chamomile
Chamomile is one of the most popular supplements for relaxation, and it’s also one of the world’s most common herbal teas. Unlike some of the other supplements on this list, you definitely don’t have to go out of your way to find chamomile – the tea is available in any supermarket. Another benefit of chamomile compared to the other supplements on this list is that it tastes great – a bit like honey. If you enjoy the flavor of the powdered chamomile tea that you can find in supermarkets, it’s worth the effort to find and make tea from whole dried flowers. You’ll find that the resulting beverage tastes even better. Chamomile has been in use as a traditional herbal medicine for at least 1,000 years, although modern clinical research has yet to determine conclusively that it has any effect. Even if the flower itself has no effect, though, people almost universally report that drinking a warm, caffeine-free beverage at night helps to calm the body and promote restful sleep – so it’s definitely worth trying.
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender flowers have long been used to promote relaxation. Lavender is a potent source of the natural terpene linalool, which is thought by many to cause sedation and reduce anxiety. The most common way to enjoy the benefits of lavender is simply by smelling the flowers, which is why people often put sachets of dried lavender into their pillows. Another way to use lavender is by buying a bottle of essential oil and putting it into an oil warmer. Mix the essential oil with a carrier and place it in a bowl heated by a candle or electric warmer – and enjoy as the gentle scent permeates your home. Don’t forget to turn the warmer off or blow out the candle before going to bed.
