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10 Natural Solutions for Sleep

If you're not getting enough sleep you will definitely notice the effects both short-term and long-term.
Jun 4, 2017 | Joy McCarthy

I started writing this post when Vienna was just a few months old and it's been in my "drafts" for well over a year! Sleep is something I value and when I began this post originally, it was pretty ironic because I was a little sleep deprived.

Whether you're a new mama or not, the tips I'm about to share will help you get a more restful sleep.

First let's discuss the importance of sleep. If you're not getting enough sleep you will definitely notice the effects both short-term and long-term. Let's look at some of them. 

Increases your appetite

Lack of sleep leads to an increase in appetite (mainly for sugars and carbs). It increases ghrelin, your "I'm hungry" hormone and decreases your "I'm full" hormone, called leptin. Research has found that those who sleep less than 8 hours per night have an increased BMI proportional to a decrease in sleep.

This hormonal pattern of increased ghrelin and decreased leptin, has been found to be consistent with decreased energy expenditure and increased appetite and obesity.

Boosts inflammatory chemicals and shortens lifespan

Inflammatory chemicals are elevated in those individuals who sleep less than 8 hours per night. However, the same is true for people who sleep too long. These inflammatory chemicals are detrimental to health and have been found to shorten one's lifespan. 

reduces cognitive function to that of a drunk person

You've likely experienced that "drunk" feeling when you're sleep deprived yet you've not had a sip of alcohol. That's because lack of sleep impairs simple functions such as attention, learning, and a range of cognitive functions.

And that's not all! Research has shown that insufficient sleep has negative impacts on endocrine, metabolic, cardiovascular, immune, bone, stress, and neurological health and function!!

In this video, I'm going to share with you some of my favourite natural ways to get a good night's sleep. 

I'm a huge fan of sleep. I feel my best, look my best and I'm on top of my game when I've had a good night's sleep. I make it a priority, especially now that Vienna is sleeping through the night - yay!

Any questions or great sleep tips you've come across? Comment below. 

Wishing you a joyous sleep tonight,

Joy

60 Comments
Stephanie   •   June 4, 2017

Great ideas! It is rare I sleep well. When I wake I never ever feel rested. I will give these a try.

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 5, 2017

Jennifer   •   June 4, 2017

Hi there, Can you tell me what brand of mattress and pillow you use?

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 5, 2017

Alexandra   •   June 4, 2017

Hi Joy, What is the brand of pillow and mattress that you use. I have been trying to find the right pillow! Thanks :)

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 5, 2017

Felicitas Hilmer   •   June 4, 2017

Great parenting book for you ... Raising Happiness, by Christine Carter. Enjoy! :)

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 5, 2017

Shenelle   •   June 5, 2017

Hi Joy, Where did you get your sleep mask? Thanks!

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 5, 2017

Joanna   •   June 5, 2017

Hi Joy! What brand is your pillow? I like thin pillows and find it hard to find a good brand.

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 5, 2017

Marsha   •   June 5, 2017

Fantastic and inspiring 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Will try these tips

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 5, 2017

Julie Campbell   •   June 5, 2017

I'd love more info on the mattress/ pillows you recommend please.

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 5, 2017

ISAM AZIZIYEH   •   June 5, 2017

Great Advice....So true and real...Many thanks for bringing them up

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 6, 2017

Julie   •   June 5, 2017

So glad I watched this video. Some great information and really great tips. I suffer from a very difficult time sleeping (am more wide awake at 10pm then any other time throughout the day) and rarely sleep through the night (up every hour or two hours usually). I am looking forward to trying these tips ... my latest sleep aid is Lemon Balm and Magnesium.

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 6, 2017

Saskia   •   June 5, 2017

Thanks for the post! I do many of these things in my routine. I also find that essential oils create a relaxing atmosphere before bed.

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 6, 2017

Angie Dionne   •   June 5, 2017

Hi Joy. I was wondering what is the name of the pillow you are talking about in the video. Looking for a comfortable pillow. I am a side sleeper. Thank you Note: I have your cookbook and I am already a Joyous Member. receiving your email. Angie

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 6, 2017

Kymberli R.   •   June 7, 2017

Hi Joy, love the video. Do you have other ideas for blood sugar balancing snacks? I find I sleep much better if I have a tiny snack about 1 hour before bed. Thanks Kymberli.

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Maureen K.   •   June 7, 2017

Excellent sleep video, thanks. Popped on line to see where the narural latex pillows with no offgassing are available in Canada and read that some companies say their product is natural but actually thry only have a very small amount of truely natural latex in them. Where did you buy and what is the model of your pillows that you "love"?

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Nancy M   •   June 7, 2017

What a wonderful video - lots to think about. What do you think about clocks in the bedroom!

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 8, 2017

Cheryl   •   June 8, 2017

Thanks for the video of sleep. Really good Tips to better sleep these times are IMP! Is there away to soundproof from neighbors And a better8to10hours sleep nightly?

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 8, 2017

Mel   •   June 8, 2017

What type of mattress do you use? Is it endy?

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 8, 2017

Susan Brydges   •   June 8, 2017

👍🏼It was.very informative

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 9, 2017

Sandra   •   June 8, 2017

Great video on tips for sleeping, thank you Joy!!

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 9, 2017

Linda   •   June 21, 2017

Hello Joy, I enjoy your tips and enthusiasm on living a healthy lifestyle. I was wondering what you think of diffusing essential oils. Do you believe they can help with moods, sleeping and be good for your health? Keep up your great work, Linda

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 22, 2017

Maria   •   June 22, 2017

Awesome info as always, thank you

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 22, 2017

Alessandra   •   July 5, 2017

Joy, please help me! I have a 6 week old baby at home, and everything feels upside down lately, I haven't get much sleep, because I'm breastfeeding on demand, and I also want to start creating a routine for my baby; I feel so overwhelm right now, and I don't even find the time to do must of what's on this list. Can you share me how you did it? Xoxo

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Joy McCarthy   •   July 5, 2017

Alessandra   •   July 8, 2017

Thank you very much, thanks for cheering me up; I really need to be kind to myself every second of my life, no matter what, I'll work on that for sure! And thank you so much for sharing your grandma's wisdom and love. Xoxo

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Rachel Molenda   •   July 10, 2017

Sandra   •   October 23, 2017

I dont have a tv or my phone, iPad in bedroom! I can’t read in bed either. I listen to jazz music

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Rachel Molenda   •   October 25, 2017

Carmen   •   April 4, 2018

Best father's day gift ever may be the new pillow I plan to get my hubby -- organic wool on one side, organic rubber on the other. Good-bye dust mites! Anything else I should consider?

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Rachel Molenda   •   April 4, 2018

Carmen   •   April 4, 2018

What is the value (i.e. how important is it) for a pillow to be made of organic materials (rubber or wool)?

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Rachel Molenda   •   April 5, 2018

Pina   •   June 5, 2018

Hi Joy, I'm currently looking for a comfortable/supportive pillow, with no chemicals would you mind telling me the brand you have and where you bought it from?

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Joy McCarthy   •   June 5, 2018

Mary L.   •   August 27, 2019

For those of you suffering from chronic insomnia, I just finished a very helpful book, Say Goodnight to Insomnia, by Jacobs and Benson. ALL of Joy's tips are in this book! For those of us who need a little extra sleep TLC, the book addresses negative thoughts around sleep, breaking the cycle of insomnia, etc. It is broken down into 6 steps or chapters. Thank you, Joy, for bringing attention to this frustrating and very common problem! xoxo

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Joy McCarthy   •   August 28, 2019

Jan   •   February 27, 2020

Hi joy, been following you for a long time... enjoy your recipes and tips for living g with joy.... we are I. The process of buying a new mattress and would love to know what kind you have as well as your pillow. It does look super cozy.

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Joy McCarthy   •   February 27, 2020

Mary   •   April 8, 2020

Hi there, I am looking for a sleep mask made of natural/organic materials to block out light. I am a side sleeper, so something that stays put and has an adjustable strap would be great. Do you have any recommendations? I am currently having a hard time finding one.

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Joy McCarthy   •   April 10, 2020

Maria Guerrieri   •   July 7, 2020

Hi Joy, just wondering if you could share more details about the pillow you use? Where is it from? What exactly is it made from? Is it a cooling or heat producing? Any other info would be great. Thanks so much!

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Joy McCarthy   •   July 13, 2020

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