Popular healthy snack that fights insomnia and helps you fall asleep at night

From dailyrecord.co.uk

Not getting enough sleep can be triggered by a number of different things such as stress, anxiety, or consuming too much alcohol or caffeine 

When thinking about ways to improve your health, the most common factors are often eating healthily and exercise - but getting enough sleep is also vital.

According to the NHS, the average adult should aim to get between seven and nine hours of sleep every night. Unfortunately, this is difficult for a lot of people due to factors like work, stress, anxiety or too much alcohol or caffeine.

If you regularly find it hard to drift off, or keep waking up in the middle of the night, you could be experiencing insomnia. However, experts say that eating one snack before bed can help you sleep easier and deeper, so you wake up feeling refreshed.

                                  Snacking on nuts may help you to sleep better at night (Image: Getty Images)

The Mirror reports that sleep experts at Bed Kingdom have recommended snacking on nuts before bed time as they are high in magnesium and zinc, which have been linked to aiding sleep disorders.

"While many people resort to a glass of wine or two to help them drift off in the evening, this can actually be detrimental to the quality of our sleep in the long run," said sleep experts from Bed Kingdom. "There are several much more sensible options that you can add to your diet to help boost your chance of getting some quality Zzz's."

Nuts such as almonds, pistachios, walnuts and cashews can all help to contribute to a better night's sleep. Other foods recommended by the experts include kiwis, cherries, malted milk, and oily fish.

You could also try chamomile tea, magnesium supplements or lavender scents in order to drift off easier at night.

The NHS does not explicitly recommend any particular food as a way of battling insomnia - but does urge sufferers to avoid eating a big meal late at night or exercising close to bed time. You should also aim to go to bed and wake up the same time each day, and make sure your room is dark and quiet.

If you are seriously struggling with insomnia, consider contacting your GP for additional help such as cognitive behavioural therapy or medication.

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/popular-healthy-snack-fights-insomnia-32002662