sleep comprises one-third of our day, so it's no surprise it has such a profound impact on both our conscious and physical being

As the pace of everyday life accelerates, we often become accustomed to humdrum moments, seeking comforts that can lead to a compromised sleep routine. An agent for restoration and healing, sleep alone is the foundation of improved physical and mental wellbeing. When combined with wholesome nourishment, rest and nutrition together form twin pillars of health that support energy, vitality, immunity and healing as well as focus, brain health and emotional balance.

In our latest Wellness Edit, we delve into the vital relationship between nourishment and adequate rest, highlighting how modern lifestyle factors are influencing the quality of our sleep cycles, and how we at Peninsula Hot Springs are celebrating sleep as a core pillar of wellness through our newest accommodation offering - the Eco Lodges.

the role of nutrition in restful nights

Many factors influence sleep, with nutrition being a key element that impacts various sleep parameters. Along with incorporating sleep-supporting nutrients into your diet, it’s equally important to limit substances like caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol, as they can negatively affect sleep outcomes and disrupt the quality of your sleep. Recent studies have begun to explore the relationship between sleep and our choice of food. While we know that sleep can impact our eating habits, there is growing interest in how different dietary patterns can directly impact the quality of our slumber. Early research has looked at how high-carb, low-carb and low-fat diets impact the different sleep stages, such as slow-wave and REM sleep, with findings suggesting that what we eat during the day can directly affect the quality of our rest at night.

Certain foods, such as fatty fish, chicken, tart cherry juice, and various seeds have been studied for their potential to improve sleep quality. There foods contain key compounds, such as amino acids tryptophan and melatonin. Tryptophan is crucial because the body uses it to make several important molecules, including melatonin – our primary hormone that works to regulate sleep. We must attain these nutrients from the food we eat, as the body cannot produce these molecules itself. Whilst tryptophan deficiency is rare, it is more common in individuals following a plant-based diet.

Melatonin is essential for managing your sleep-wake cycle, but modern lifestyle factors can disrupt its natural production, leading to unwanted sleep disturbances. Reasons such as long travel, artificial lighting, late-night screen use, and irregular work hours can all after your melatonin levels and sleep quality. Including tryptophan and melatonin-rich foods in your diet can support your body’s ability to fall asleep more easily and wake up feeling revitalised and refreshed.

a sleep sanctuary at peninsula hot springs

If you’re looking to optimise your sleep cycles, aim to include sleep-supporting foods like kiwifruit, tart cherry juice, strawberries, walnuts, pistachios, mushrooms, chamomile, lavender and grapes in your regular diet. It's important to note that these foods will not make you sleepy, however, they will provide the body with the ingredients to produce sleep hormones when the time comes.

At Peninsula Hot Springs, sleep is one of seven core pillars of wellness, underpinning our belief that quality rest is essential for overall wellbeing. Our newest accommodation, the Eco Lodges, has been designed as a sanctuary to support sleep and restoration. Enjoy a nourishing meal at the Spa Dreaming Centre dining room before stepping into your Springs Room or Peninsula Suite for a night of blissful stillness. When joining us for your Eco Lodge experience, we invite you to indulge in our refined Spa Dreaming Centre menu. Choose from our Hibachi-grilled King Ora salmon, Ras El Hanout crusted chicken breast, or the Super Green Salad – each dish rich in nutrients to help you float into the deepest, most restful slumber.