I’ve stumbled upon a game-changer for my sleep routine, and I couldn’t keep it to myself. Seriously, for the past few months, I’ve been sipping on a delightful nervous system nightcap that has transformed my nights and mornings. It’s so simple that I just had to share it with you all.

Bedtime Drink Recipe

The star of the show is tart cherry juice – trust me; it’s tart and delicious. You don’t need to hit up a fancy grocery store; I grab mine at our regular old grocery store or even order it from Amazon. If you’re feeling a bit fancy, there’s tart cherry juice concentrate too. I mix half a mug of tart cherry juice with half water (because it can be a bit strong), heat it up in the microwave, and voila – a cozy tea is born.

To sweeten the deal, I add about a teaspoon of honey (local or raw if you can find it) and a pinch of sea salt. It’s my go-to, sipped about half an hour before bedtime. Trust me; it’s a game-changer.

Science Backs This Up!

Now, here’s the science behind the magic. Our stress hormone, cortisol, can wreak havoc on our glycogen stores, the body’s primary energy reserve. Low glycogen stores during sleep can trigger a stress response, leading to restlessness and poor sleep quality.

But fear not – tart cherries come to the rescue! They naturally contain melatonin, the sleep-wake cycle regulator. Drinking tart cherry juice in the evening boosts melatonin levels, signaling to the brain that it’s time to hit the hay.

Adding honey to the mix does wonders. It helps regulate insulin levels, promoting melatonin release and enhancing sleep quality. Honey also brings tryptophan to the party, an amino acid that paves the way for serotonin, eventually converting into melatonin. Tryptophan is a sleep champion, promoting relaxation and drowsiness.

And let’s not forget our friend, sea salt. It supports our adrenals by supplying essential minerals like magnesium, potassium, zinc, and selenium. Magnesium, in particular, regulates the body’s stress response, promoting relaxation – a key ingredient for a good night’s sleep.

So, there you have it – a simple tea with tart cherry juice, honey, and sea salt. Sip it about 30 minutes before bedtime, give it a whirl for a few weeks, and let me know the magic it works for you! Here’s to peaceful nights and energized mornings, mama! 🌙💤

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