These are good to try when weaning off medication (but be sure to talk to your doctor first!)
- Sleep-boosting food. There are A LOT of foods that really help with sleep! Oatmeal with walnuts is a great food to eat at anytime, but especially before bed. Everyone's body is different and we all process food differently. I recommend looking up the best foods for natural melatonin, the sleep inducing hormone, and see what works best for you (kale, cherry juice, almonds, chamomile tea and raw honey work for me).
- Eating healthier in general. Salads, power foods, high fiber, more calcium, all of it helps (beans, nuts, quinoa).
- Not going more than 500 calories below your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). Make sure you aren't under-eating (especially if you're working out a lot). I learned very early that my very low daily calorie intake didn't help my blood sugar levels, which can hinder serotonin production needed for sleep.
- Homeopathy. The jury is still out on whether this works, but I think it helped with my sleep anxiety in the beginning. I spoke to my mom’s friend who is a professional homeopathy practitioner and she gave me her recommendation based on my symptoms. But I only did for the time she told me to take it. It could be a self fulfilling prophecy, but it worked.
- Nutmeg at night. You can put a pinch in milk at night. It definitely works, but you shouldn't take too much either. I used it when I first started so it might be a good way to wean off of medication.
- Daily Smoothie (I have it for lunch every weekday). Recipe Below.