Good sleep is vital for good, healthy energy levels.
So often I find myself looking for things that will boost my energy levels throughout the day (can you relate?) when really I should be coming back to the basics and looking at how I am sleeping.
Sleep can be affected by numerous factors: stress, caffeine, overstimulation too close to bedtime, lack of exercise, noise, light, pets... yes, I love my dog deeply but her kicking does have a tendency to wake me up.
There are things in my control and things out of my control when it comes to sleep hygiene (ie the steps I take to prepare for sleep and what I do to create an ideal sleeping environment), so I try my best to invest in the things that are within my control so I can improve my sleep quality and feel more energized throughout the day.
Things I try and do every day/ night to set myself up for quality sleep:
• No caffeine after 1PM. This includes coffee, caffeinated tea, and any other caffeinated items.
• Have AT LEAST 30 minutes of no screen time before bed. This is for both quieting the mind and decreasing the light I expose myself to leading up to sleep. I've been opting for some light stretching, calm music, simple meditations, and reading for pre-sleep activities.
• Drink Shroom Magic Mix every day. Shroom Magic Mix's 5 mushroom blend is incredible for so many reasons, but I wanted to highlight Reishi mushroom specifically.
So let's talk about Reishi...
Studies have shown that compounds found in Reishi mushroom play important roles in sleep-wake regulation and improving the quality of sleep [1] . There are also beta-sitosterols and related fatty acids that have anti-anxiety effects [1].
Research has found that individuals supplementing with Reishi powder report improved physical well-being and significantly reduced fatigue [2,3].
Reishi mushroom has been recognized as a medicinal mushroom for over 2000 years and in Traditional Chinese Medicine, attributed therapeutic properties include replenishing Qi, easing the mind, relieving insomnia and enhancing vital energy [4].
I have noticed a tremendous improvement in my sleep since focusing on my sleep hygiene and consuming Shroom Magic Mix daily!
Do you have a "sleep hygiene routine"? Share your thoughts in the comments!
References
1.Qiu Y, Mao ZJ, Ruan YP, Zhang X. Exploration of the anti-insomnia mechanism of Ganoderma by central-peripheral multi-level interaction network analysis. BMC Microbiol. 2021 Oct 29;21(1):296. doi: 10.1186/s12866-021-02361-5. PMID: 34715778; PMCID: PMC8555286.
2.Zhao H, Zhang Q, Zhao L, Huang X, Wang J, Kang X. Spore Powder of Ganoderma lucidum Improves Cancer-Related Fatigue in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Endocrine Therapy: A Pilot Clinical Trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:809614. doi: 10.1155/2012/809614. Epub 2011 Dec 10. PMID: 22203880; PMCID: PMC3236089.
