#WHEN TO DRINK SLEEPYTIME TEA TRIAL#

“There’s not any evidence on sleepy teas specific to runners, but they can be used as one of many tools to help support relaxation and healthy sleep hygiene in athletes,” Schlichter says.įor example, if you find yourself energized after an afternoon or evening run, steeping a cup of sleepy tea may help kickstart the relaxation process.

If you struggle with sleep, it may be worth a shot to implement a cup into your nightly routine. A variety of sleepy tea called Extra has valerian in it, and some studies have found that this herb can cause headaches, dizziness, and an upset stomach, Gans says. One ingredient in particular-valerian-may also cause some unwanted side effects. “Also, pregnant and nursing women and those suffering from low blood pressure may be more apt to risks and side effects and definitely want to check with a healthcare provider.” “ Some people have reported allergies to some ingredients in herbal teas, like chamomile,” Schlichter says. It’s always best to check with your doctor before starting a regular routine. And, there are certain teas or ingredients you may want to avoid if you are taking certain medications. While chamomile is listed on the FDA’s list of ingredients generally recognized as safe (GRAS), some people may experience some side effects, like allergies. In general, sipping these teas regularly before bed is safe. I think it can be a great way to start your wind-down routine after dinner,” Schlichter says.Ĩ Best Pillows for More Every Sleep Position Are there any risks or side effects to drinking Sleepytime tea? “I always advise my athletes to stop drinking liquids at least one to two hours before bed to prevent having to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. You should try to drink it with enough time to hit the bathroom before bed to keep your sleep uninterrupted. I suggest steeping it for up to five minutes before drinking,” Martin says. “The longer you allow to steep, the stronger it is. Keep in mind that to get the most out of your tea, steep time is critical. “Drinking a sleep tea afterwards can help calm you down so that you’re better able to fall and stay asleep.” “An evening cardio session gets your heart rate up and releases endorphins, making it difficult to wind down at night, possibly derailing your sleep,” says Martin. It can also be a great way to decompress after a nighttime workout. “For many people the ritual of drinking tea is relaxing, and it may cause sleepiness as a result,” Keri Gans, M.S., R.D.N., tells Runner’s World.

And while science may back up the ingredients, it may also just be the act of tea drinking itself that induces the sleep.

#WHEN TO DRINK SLEEPYTIME TEA TRIAL#

“Its calming effects are attributed to the antioxidant in chamomile tea called apigenin,” Charlotte Martin, M.S., R.D.N., tells Runner’s World.Īnother short-term randomized control trial of 40 healthy adults, published in 2013, found that those who drank a sleep tea daily (with standardized extracts of valerian root and passionflower) for one week reported better sleep quality than those who did not drink the tea. Other ingredients found in sleepy teas include valerian root, passionflower, lemon balm, spearmint, and lemongrass.Ĭhamomile has been studied for its sleep-inducing effect. “Lavender, which has a soothing and calming scent, is also commonly included.” They act by modifying certain neurotransmitters that are involved in sleep,” Sarah Schlichter, M.P.H., R.D.N., tells Runner's World.

“Teas, such as Sleepytime, are generally marketed as bedtime teas and are based around calming ingredients, like chamomile, which is known to calm the nervous system.

But does drinking this kind of tea truly work, and how do the ingredients benefit you? We asked three nutrition experts to answer those questions and more. Many people swear by Sleepytime tea as a natural way to help you fall asleep faster. Join Runner's World+ for unlimited access to the best training tips for runners That’s when aids like Sleepytime tea can come in to play. But not getting adequate shut-eye can hurt your performance, according to research, among other negative side effects.įor some, a well-crafted nighttime routine can be an easy fix, but it isn’t always a fail-safe solution to help you get the most rest. With minds buzzing from the day, it can make zzz’s seem unreachable. Let’s be honest, for some of us, it’s not always easy to unwind and go to sleep at night.

When to drink sleepytime tea