Chasing the elusive eight hours sleep can be exhausting, as we battle to switch off and recharge our batteries. Those that don’t achieve good quality sleep will be seeking solutions to their snoozing issues — from a digital detox in the bedroom to natural remedies, like magnesium.

Wait, what is magnesium?

Magnesium is a key mineral responsible for over 300 bodily functions. It’s a natural relaxant and is essential for healthy bones, muscles, nerves, energy production, nutrient metabolism, cell formation and — of course — sleep, leading to its rep as the ‘sleep mineral’.

Though magnesium can be found in foods, like spinach, quinoa and almonds, due to changes in dietary habits in the past few decades, it’s now estimated 70% of us have a magnesium deficiency. Turns out it isn’t that easy to get your RDA (approximately 300mg for adult men and 270mg for adult women, per day) through diet alone.

How does it actually work?

The body needs magnesium to maintain a state of complete rest and low levels can lead to restless muscles that can keep us awake at night. Magnesium ensures that the GABA receptors in our brain and nervous system are working efficiently. This enables the brain to relax and switch off, maintaining a state of rest in preparation for sleep.

So, what’s the answer?

You can up the levels of leafy greens in your diet stat and check out natural supplements, like BetterYou’s MagnesiumOil Goodnight Spray and Magnesium Flakes for improving overall health and helping achieve a ‘better sleep, naturally’. Absorbing magnesium transdermally (through the skin) is an effective and convenient way to up your levels without the fuss of swallowing a pill.