Sleep problems are one of the more common medical issues in modern society. Our daily life tends to keep us sedentary for long periods of time. Combined with our screen times and high stress jobs, it’s no wonder that we suffer from insomnia. Our lack of sleep can cause symptoms ranging from simply feeling tired to more bothersome issues like back pain and headaches.

Applying the following tips can help ensure a good night’s sleep:

1. Take magnesium

Magnesium is a mineral that’s involved with several elements of human metabolism. In the context of sleep, it’s also an important component in maintaining a state of rest. Magnesium can even help relax our muscles to get the tension out after a rough day. It also works with melatonin to help regulate sleep.

2. Replace your mattress

We’re often not even aware that our mattress is the cause of our sleep troubles. Although we might feel fine falling asleep on it, that doesn’t mean we’ll be comfortable all night. It’s quite common for people to wake up multiple times a night due to a mattress that isn’t quite right. Replacing our mattresses can do wonders for our quality of sleep.

3. Use natural sleep aids like melatonin and valerian

Natural sleep aids like melatonin or valerian can help with falling asleep and getting a better quality of rest. Natural sleep aids are ideal because they are easier for our bodies to process than prescription medications. This prevents the grogginess that can often be a side effect of taking synthetic sleep aids.

4. Use meditation apps

Meditation is a fantastic way to relax at night. Try using a meditation app to guide you through a few minutes of mindfulness before bed. Using an app like Calm will make finding and working through a meditation simple and easy.

5. Talk to your doctor about underlying health conditions

Underlying health conditions can be another reason your sleep quality is suffering. Medical issues can impact all areas of our lives, but we might notice them especially when trying to sleep. For example, a problem like sleep apnea occurs when we have trouble breathing at night. If in doubt, it’s always best to talk to your doctor about underlying health conditions. Although insomnia is often not serious, it’s important to receive proper medical care if it turns out to be caused by a more serious health problem.

6. Eat foods to help you sleep

Quite a few foods can help people fall asleep at night. In particular, foods rich in an amino acid called tryptophan will make you drowsy. This is why we feel tired after eating turkey at Thanksgiving dinner! Another food to help with sleep is almonds. These nuts provide both melatonin and magnesium. And of course the relaxing power of warm milk is a classic that should help you to fall asleep.