Sleeping aids, like melatonin, are products that can help you fall asleep or sleep better. People who struggle with falling asleep are no strangers to sleeping aids. 

Keep reading to learn more about the history of sleeping aids, why sleeping aids are important, and how you can benefit from them.

Sleep is necessary for your body to get the rest it needs. A good night’s sleep allows your brain to recharge, store memories, and process information. 

Sleep also helps the body fight diseases, heal, and grow. Without enough sleep, your immune system won’t work as effectively as it should, making you vulnerable to getting sick. In addition, sleep greatly affects your brain’s learning and memory functioning.  

It doesn’t stop there. Getting enough sleep can increase your risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and more. It’s safe to say that getting a good night’s sleep is necessary if you want to perform your best and promote your overall health.

Maybe you are someone who already knows how important getting a good night’s sleep is, but can’t manage to sleep through the night. That’s where sleeping aids come in. If you are someone who wants to prioritize sleep, check out the best sleeping aids listed below.

There are many possible reasons as to why you might be having trouble falling (or staying) asleep. Remember that identifying the cause is the first step you have to take in order to sleep through the night and wake up feeling refreshed! Some of the possibilities as to why you're unable to fall and stay  asleep include:

• Too much caffeine 
• Too many naps
• Not enough exercise
• Using electronics too late (blue light)
•  Your bedroom isn’t dark enough
• Sleeping disorders
• Alcohol
• Obesity
• Anxiety 
• Trauma or PTSD
• Nicotine
• Medical conditions
• Medications

Keep in mind that this list offers only some of the reasons why you might be having trouble falling asleep. If none of the above applies to you and you still can't fall or stay asleep, there could be something else causing your insomnia.

Consult with a health care professional to get to the root of the issue so you can get a deeper night's sleep. Now let's take a look at some of the best melatonin alternatives available to you below.

There are plenty of over-the-counter sleeping aids on the market that you can get at your local pharmacy or order online. However, a wide variety of available sleeping aids include melatonin. 

  Maybe you're someone who's tried melatonin to no avail, or maybe you're someone whose body has adverse reactions to melatonin. Not to worry! Some of the best over-the-counter melatonin alternatives available to you are:

• NightCap
• Aleve PM
• Benadryl
• HelloBello Sleep Well Gummies
• Equate Maximum Strength Sleep-Aid Soft Gels
• Sandland Stay Asleep Pills
• Boiron Sleepcalm Tablets
• L-Theanine
• CBD
• Glycine
• Valerian Root
• Lemon Balm
• Ashwagandha
• Chamomile
• Magnesium
• Lavender 

There you have it! Listed above are the best melatonin alternatives available to you. My personal favorite melatonin-free sleeping aid is NightCap because it is made with all-natural ingredients. 

Did I mention NightCap is also delicious? Keep reading to find out more about the evening cocktail that will have you sleeping the whole night through and waking up refreshed.

NightCap is an evening cocktail chock-full of healthful, all-natural ingredients designed to help you achieve the best night’s sleep possible. Not only does NightCap reduce stress and anxiety, but it maximizes your REM sleep, the dream phase of your sleep cycle. 

If you want to learn more about the importance of REM sleep, click here!

In addition to helping your body achieve deeper REM sleep, NightCap helps you sleep through the night without waking up. NightCap contains zero calories and zero grams of sugar. It almost sounds too good to be true! 

It’s safe to say that NightCap is a great way to end the day. You can even make it part of your evening routine; relax and wind down with NightCap to get the night’s sleep of your dreams.

Fortunately, there are also a number of delicious foods you can eat to help you relax and achieve a deeper night’s sleep. Let’s discuss this below.

One of the most significant ways you can encourage your body to fall and stay asleep is by keeping a consistent routine and regulating your circadian rhythm. Your circadian rhythm is your body's internal clock. This internal clock sends signals to your brain when it’s time to go to sleep and wake up.

But how does your “internal clock” set itself up to ensure your sleep schedule is regulated? Great question! Click here to learn more about your circadian rhythm, how you can regulate it, and how keeping a consistent routine can improve your health and help you sleep through the night.

Another great way to regulate your sleep cycle is by exercising. Exercise tires the body out, making it easier for you to fall asleep at night. Not to mention, exercise has innumerable benefits for your health. 

Exercising can even help you live longer! Click here to learn more about the benefits of exercise and how it can help you better regulate your sleep cycle. 

In addition to keeping a routine and exercising, take a look at the list below of things you can do on your own at home to improve your sleep.

• Keep a consistent bedtime
• Turn off electronic devices
• Take a shower or bath
• Listen to soothing music
• Drink tea
• Drink warm milk
• Bedtime yoga
• Journal
• Meditate
• Clean your room
• Read a book

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to wind down when you're ready to go to sleep. Practicing a few of these every day will help you fall and stay asleep through the whole night. 

And the sleeping tips don't stop there! Your diet plays a huge role in your sleep-wake cycle. Keep reading to find out which foods can help you fall and stay asleep.

By now, you know that the circadian rhythm plays a critical role when it comes to signaling your body that it's time for bed. But did you know that your diet also has a significant impact on your sleep cycle?

Specific foods help your body with various types of hormone production, including melatonin. Melatonin is also known as the sleep hormone.

Consequently, in addition to sleeping aids and at-home remedies, you can actually help your body fall asleep (and sleep well) by incorporating certain foods into your diet. Some of the best foods you can eat to help you sleep better at night include:

• Turkey
• Almonds
• Fish
• Kiwi
• Chamomile Tea
• White Rice
• Cherries

As you can see, there are plenty of foods you can incorporate into your diet to help you fall asleep each night. Not only can above mentioned foods help you fall asleep, but they can help you sleep through the night.