We know there’s nothing more frustrating than eagerly sliding into bed ready to doze off for a refreshing 8 hours, and suddenly…
Invasive thoughts, cringe-worthy memories and your next day’s list of to-do’s all pop into your head. Leaving you laying staring at the ceiling unable to calm your mind and switch off.
And the worst part?
The more we plead with ourselves to just fall asleep, the harder it gets and the more awake we start to feel. Until we give up, turn our cozy show on, and eventually fall asleep to Netflix’s ‘are you still watching?’ message. Waking up in the morning feeling groggy and ready to hit snooze a few too many times.
The growing popularity of finding hacks and tips to increase your chances of getting a good night's sleep is no surprise. After all, sleep is a crucial pillar in our overall health and well-being.
You only need to think back to the last time you were sleep deprived to understand the impact it had on your focus, productivity, mood, and social skills.
If you feel like you’re doing everything right when it comes to your highly perfected bedtime routine, we’re talking chamomile tea, lavender scents, new pillows, and even a new mattress, perhaps you’ve delved into bedtime yoga and try to fall asleep in what Google says is the ultimate sleep position, yet still nothing is working - you might just be low on a certain vital mineral.
What Does Magnesium Do For The Body?
A magnesium deficiency could be the culprit contributing to your poor sleep.
That’s because magnesium plays a crucial role in over 300 chemical reactions in your body. Including nearly all hormonal reactions, your heart health, and brain function. Like the production of melatonin impacting the quality of your sleep, and helping your dopamine levels rise improving your mood.
Magnesium can offer a calming effect to the body, helping reduce feelings of anxiety that may be preventing you from drifting off when your head hits the pillow, and also promotes muscle relaxation. It binds to GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptors in your brain, helping to calm, quieten and reset the nervous system. Doctors often recommend magnesium to those who suffer from managing symptoms of restless leg syndrome, and if it’s migraines preventing you from some shut-eye, you guessed it, magnesium can aid in alleviating those too.
Not to mention, one of the best things about magnesium is it can also play a hand in relieving hormonal imbalances. So if it’s those pesky cramps and discomfort keeping you up at night, magnesium could aid in some relief.
There are plenty of magnesium benefits for women, and this often-overlooked mineral truly is a lady’s best friend throughout all stages of womanhood.
So, you may be wondering how you can get your hands on this versatile mineral, and the good news is magnesium can be found in a variety of everyday foods like leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and beans.
The bad news, however, studies suggest two-thirds of the western population still struggle to get enough magnesium in their diet.
In fact, scientific literature highlights evidence of widespread magnesium deficiency.
But all hope is not lost. There are ways to give you a little boost when it comes to your magnesium intake. And one method is as simple as adding a magnesium lotion as a not-to-be-missed step in your routine.
Magnesium Lotion Benefits
Low magnesium levels are often due to poor absorption of magnesium in the gut, as well as a general lack of magnesium-rich foods in our diet.
When we’re deficient in a mineral we often turn to dietary supplements as our first port of call in an attempt to boost our levels. Especially considering magnesium is a mineral we can’t make independently in our own bodies. We must rely on food and supplements for our magnesium intake.
But oral supplementation of magnesium is affected by many factors in your gut.
All magnesium taken orally is potentially laxative. Plus, when you take a pill orally, it must first be absorbed by the body and interact with the digestive system. When this happens, part of the concentration of the drug is lost during this process of absorption.
And for those who struggle to take tablets, magnesium pills are off the table. This is where a topical supplement can come into play.
Topical supplements include creams, oils, lotions, and patches that take advantage of the body's largest organ - the skin.
The skin is a breathing organ, and magnesium lotion can be extremely beneficial in offering another means of absorption that doesn’t interfere with the gut, it’s a non-invasive, simple, and easy-to-use method.
Adding a magnesium lotion to your bedtime routine can allow you to reap all the rewards of the mineral magnesium and create a soothing and relaxing nighttime cue helping you unwind for the night.
Better yet, apply your lotion after a warm bath to enhance your sleep.
Choosing a Magnesium Lotion
While a lotion may seem like the best form of magnesium for you, we want to make choosing the right magnesium lotion product as simple as can be.
We recommend Glow Botanica’s Super Rich Magnesium Body Lotion, formulated with pure Zechstein magnesium chloride, collagen, evening primrose oil, lavender flower oil, aloe vera, and vitex to support relaxation, balance, and nourishment.
Not only will this lotion have you dozing off in no time, its added anti-inflammatory properties and ingredients to promote skin elasticity, hair, nail, and joint health will boost your mood, sleep, and skin.
If you’re concerned you have a magnesium deficiency, or you want to get more of this important nutrient into your system, talk about your concerns with your doctor or nutritionist and consult them before taking any supplements.