SOMA Living November 2025

POWER OF SLEEP Deep sleep isn’t optional; it’s your body’s built-in repair system. It’s when your body detoxes, rebuilds, restores and reboots. Regardless of how hard you exercise, or how disciplined your diet, it all falls apart without the foundation that healthy sleep provides. Here’s a brief list of all-natural, healthy sleep remedies that will improve the quality and duration of your sleep. No pills, drugs, or expensive therapies – just simple steps you can take to get the deep and restorative sleep you need. 1. Chamomile tea contains apigenin, a compound that reduces anxiety and helps induce deep NREM sleep with no side effects or dependency. Drink 30–45 mins before bed. 2. Tart cherry juice is one of the few natural sources of melatonin, the important sleep hormone. One study found that drinking 2 cups per day led to nearly 90

minutes of additional sleep per night. Best to drink it 1–2 hours before bed for maximum effect. 3. Eat kiwi. This fruit is high in serotonin & antioxidants. One study found eating 2 kiwis an hour before bed can help you fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly. 4. Like kiwi, bananas are another sleep snack hiding in plain sight. They are rich in magnesium, crucial for melatonin production. They also contain tryptophan, the infamous Thanksgiving Day turkey-n-stuffing amino acid that helps the brain relax and fall asleep. Fix your sleep first. It’s the one upgrade that will positively impact everything else you do.

Bryan Umiker is the Founder & Owner of the Ethical Mattress Company, and a Maplewood resident since 2001. His career spans 20+ years in the Sleep space, including time as a Buyer and Vice President for Bloomingdale’s, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Casper.

18 somalivingmagazine@gmail.com

@somalivingmagazine