Trouble sleeping? Drinking the right tea can help

Aaah, sleep, glorious sleep. How wonderful it is to drift off to the land of nod, and to arise, refreshed and ready to face the day seven to eight hours later. But how many people do you know who actually get the optimum amount of sleep? When was the last time you woke up naturally from a deep and nourishing sleep, ready to tackle the day without needing a jolt of caffeine to get you going? 

We all have times in which sleep is elusive. Sometimes it is thankfully only for a short period, but at other times it is painfully prolonged.The events of the past year have played havoc with the sleeping habits of many people. Studies have shown that not enough sleep, or poor quality of sleep, over an extended period can adversely affect our physical and mental health. Not enough sleep can increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and depression. 

In the UK there are many options for help available for those struggling to sleep, starting with advice from your GP and the NHS. If you are reading this blog, you may be looking for complimentary ideas to use alongside these proven methods.

Why can’t I sleep?

There are many reasons for not being able to get a good night’s sleep. Sleep problems can be caused by one, or several factors.

Anxiety or depression and sleep

Anxiety and stress often rob us of our sleep and there has been plenty to worry about during the past year. Juggling concerns over work, childcare, schooling, and the health of our loved ones has had a detrimental effect on our sleep. According to Sleepstation, an online sleep help program endorsed by the NHS, ‘one of the most important factors needed for good sleep is a quiet mind. You cannot sleep if your mind is racing, or you are worried or stressed’. Additionally, people can become anxious about sleep itself. Once you are aware that you might have a problem getting enough sleep, it can become something else to worry about and sleep can become more elusive than ever.

Depression can also leave many people unable to sleep, or unable to get out of bed. Sleeping more than our recommended six to nine hours per night is also not advised.

Digital devices and sleep

We all know that we spend far too much time on our digital devices these days. With many facets of our lives increasingly online, it is hard to escape and switch off. But escape from it (briefly) we must each day if we are to get a good night’s sleep. Studies have shown that the blue light emitted from our phones, tablets and computers affect the release of melatonin, a hormone that prepares our bodies for sleep. Ideally, we should turn these devices off one hour before we need to be asleep, preferably leaving them outside our bedrooms, and instead pick up a book, have a relaxing bath or have a warm, non-alcoholic drink (more on this later).

Too much caffeine and sleep

Found in tea, coffee, chocolate, soft drinks and some medication, caffeine is great for giving us that energy boost we crave, usually when very tired. But it can have a downside: caffeine is addictive, meaning the more we drink it the more we crave it, thus a vicious circle is formed. Some people are affected more by caffeine than others and can experience headaches, heart palpitations, upset stomach, as well as insomnia. Because of its stimulating effect, the NHS recommends that we don’t eat or drink anything containing caffeine in the four to five hours before bed.

Not enough exercise and sleep

Regular exercise is important on so many levels. As one of the UK's best wellness retreats, we would say that. But we need it to keep our hearts, bones and muscles healthy and strong. Regular exercise also benefits our mental health and can have an impact on the quality of our sleep. The World Health Organisation recommends that adults have between 150-300 minutes per week of moderate exercise. Moderate exercise includes cycling, swimming, walking, running and group activities such as tennis and football.

It makes sense that getting regular exercise will have an impact on our sleep quality as it expends our energy and makes us tired. It’s important to remember that some exercise is better than no exercise, even if it’s a simple walk each day.  Evidence shows that the relationship between exercise and sleep is interlinked: poor sleep leads to lack of energy and a reduction of exercise, which can then lead to more poor sleep. However, while it is important to exercise in order to improve our sleep quality, we need to remember not to exercise too vigorously just before bed as it leads to a rise in hormones such as cortisol, which can interfere with sleep.

Does tea help with sleep?

Tea is undoubtedly good for us. First discovered in China almost 5000 years ago, tea is a drink brewed from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. Tea can be classified into black, green, white, oolong and Pu-erh teas. All tea types contain antioxidant properties which can help to protect us from heart disease and some types of cancer as well as boosting our energy and concentration levels.

Herbal teas are not tea in the technical sense as they do not come from the Camellia sinensis plant. The correct term is tisane; however, we often refer to them as tea because we brew them in much the same way. Popular herbal teas include peppermint, chamomile, lavender, ginger, and rooibos. Like traditional teas, herbal teas offer many health benefits and are largely caffeine-free. 

So can tea help with sleep? While tea has much to offer us in terms of health benefits, we must be honest and admit that it is not the only solution to getting a good night’s sleep. However, at Twist we believe tea can help with sleep, especially when used in conjunction with other healthy lifestyle habits.

Chamomile tea

Chamomile is a herb that produces daisy-like flowers. The tea brewed from the dried Chamomile flowers has been used for centuries as a natural treatment for insomnia. It is naturally caffeine-free, making it ideal for drinking at any time of day. Chamomile contains apigenin, a phytonutrient that has a sleep-inducing effect. Chamomile is also thought to help reduce stress and anxiety and some have described it as being a ‘mild tranquilizer’.  

Twist Teas’ Sleep Tea's blend, available at the Glass House Retreat, is a soothing mix of whole chamomile flower heads, lemon balm, valerian, and lavender. Lemon balm, valerian and lavender have been used for centuries to treat ailments including insomnia and anxiety. While further study is required to determine exactly how this works, the addition of these herbs undoubtedly enhances this aromatic brew.

Let’s consider some of the fantastic health benefits of Chamomile before you drift off!

• Sleep-inducing benefits
• The sleep-inducing benefits of Chamomile tea are well documented. Chamomile contains a phytonutrient called apigenin which is believed to have a sedative, relaxing effect. It does this by binding to your brain receptors that are associated with inducing sleepiness and reducing insomnia. So, give it a go the next time you fancy a relaxing snooze.
• May be beneficial for sufferers of diabetes
• Initial research indicates that Chamomile has been shown to help regulate glycaemic control, helping those with either type of diabetes and helping blood lipid profiles, by decreasing HbA1C. Although, more research is needed on this, it is definitely worth a try.
• May aid your digestion
• Digestion health is much more important than most people consider. Research suggests that Chamomile is anti-inflammatory, and particularly helps with soothing the stomach with symptoms such as nausea or gas. It has also been suggested that Chamomile reduces bacteria growth and acidity in the stomach, lessening the chance of ulcer development. Although these are early findings in research, it might just do the trick!
• Heart
• Chamomile is rich in flavones which are a great antioxidant. Flavones are suggested to help lower blood pressure and
• LDL cholesterol, allowing easier transport of blood around the body, reducing stress on the heart.
• Potential Anti-Cancer properties
• Apigenin is not only useful for sleep but has also been reported to fight off cancerous cells, helping to reduce cancer’s progression.¹

Chamomile is certainly a great herb and even better tea, now we’re off for a nice, long nap – we can definitely see why Twist call it Sleep – sweet dreams!