Foods for Slumber: Eat Your Way to Rejuvenating Sleep
One of the worst things soloists can deprive themselves is sleep. Whether you are in a rush to meet deadline or feel anxious in meeting a new client by morning, sleep is one indispensible business tool you shouldn’t just put in the backburner — even for the meantime. But is it really just stress that prevents you from sleeping?
It’s Not Only What You Think
Many soloists, especially those who work from their home offices, can freely and easily jump from their workstation to their sanity saver: their ever reliable fridge. Stress often justifies munching on almost everything, especially a day before a major deadline. But if you really want to boost productivity and stay focused at all times, eating whatever is a strategy that is bound to fail.
A rejuvenating and refreshing sleep calls for milk — and so much more. Sleep foods, or those that are filled with tryptophan or the sleep-inducing substance, can send you faster to dreamland than lullaby. With tryptophan-rich foods, slumber wouldn’t be too a luxury you can’t afford.
So which foods should you eat and steer clear of before hitting the sack? Here are some pointers when you are grabbing late night snacks:
1. Crave for carbs
You know you want it. If you have been limiting your intake of carbs during daytime, pre-slumber can be the best time to indulge your cravings. Carb-rich foods go well with dairy foods, which both pumps tryptophan in the blood. Some of the perfect slumber snacks include any of the following combos: cheese and bread, milk and a bowl of cereal, and a light pair of crackers and yogurt.
2. Nibble before you snooze
If you have been struggling with insomnia for quite some time, a little food in your stomach may help you catch sleep. But late night snacking shouldn’t mean pigging out. Watch your portions, especially when you are having crackers and cheese. Heavy meals will only keep you from sleeping — and may even lead to heartburn.
3. Check hidden sleep deniers
Drinking coffee after dinner may disrupt prevent you from sleeping. But it isn’t only coffee that you should steer clear from hours before bedtime. Caffeine, among others, can disrupt sleep patterns. Some of the not-so obvious sources of caffeine include decaffeinated coffee, cola, tea, and, sadly, a warm cup of cocoa.
Is your body extra sensitive to caffeine? For better sleep, you may want to cut caffeine from your regular schedule after noon.
4. Forego the fat
Another reason why you should just forget high-fat foods. A significant number of researches have shown that people who indulge in greasy, fatty foods not only gain weight, they also report insomnia and disruptions of their usual sleep schedule.
5. Avoid spicy foods
Many soloists who work from home go out for a hearty dinner. And it is often the best time to indulge in something you can’t easily prepare at home. If you want something bold for dinner, spicy meals are definitely a sure way for a sleepless night.
But if you must, like when a client is a fan of spicy cuisine, make sure to finish a working dinner at least four hours before bedtime.
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