Recipe for Sleep

We have always heard parents say how a glass of warm milk works wonders to put you off to sleep, right? Dairy products contain tryptophan which induces sleep in the body. So have a glass of milk or treat yourself to a bowl of dahi. Banana and honey are also rich in tryptophan.

SERVE A SNACK

If you find it difficult to fall asleep, have a small snack before you go to bed. However, this should not be seen as a guilt-free excuse to binge on everything that's in your fridge. Keep the snack as light as possible. Go overboard, and you will be adding on unnecessary pounds. Also, a heavy meal before bedtime will strain your digestion system.

DITCH CAFFEINE

You may not be having coffee before bedtime, but that doesn't mean you are cutting down on caffeine as well. Other sources such as chocolate add a fair amount of caffeine to your body, without you even realising it. To improve your quality of sleep, make sure you cut down every possible source of caffeine from evening onwards.

SKIP ALCOHOL

Many trust alcohol for a good night's sleep. However, that may not be the case. While alcohol may put you off to sleep, it is also responsible for some nasty hangovers. Not to forget, there are higher chances of you getting up many more times in the night than you do otherwise. If you have had alcohol in the evening, have nimbu paani by night to dilute its effects.

KICK THE BUTT

The nicotine's effect on the body is similar to that of caffeine. You may want a drag before hitting bed as it helps you relax, but the same drag will make it difficult for you to fall asleep. Avoid smoking before you sleep or at any time in the night.

AVOID SPICY FOOD

The spicy chaat may qualify as dinner for you, but it also sends your beauty sleep out of the window. The digestive system slows down when you are sleeping, and combine it with spicy food, the result can be quite unpleasant. Not to forget, it may also lead to heartburn.