If you’ve ever stared at the ceiling for hours wondering, “Why can’t I sleep?”, you’re not alone. Millions of people struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep — and the reasons can vary widely from person to person.
Understanding the underlying causes of sleep difficulties is the first step toward finding effective, natural solutions that support your body’s natural rhythms.
1. Stress and Overactive Thoughts
One of the most common reasons people can’t sleep is stress. Whether it’s work, family, health worries or the state of the world, a racing mind can keep you alert long after your body is ready to rest. Elevated levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) can interfere with melatonin production, making it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep.
2. Disrupted Sleep Cycles
Your body relies on a consistent circadian rhythm — a natural 24-hour clock that regulates sleep and wake cycles. Shift work, jet lag, or exposure to artificial light late at night (especially screens) can confuse this rhythm, leading to trouble winding down at bedtime.
3. Poor Sleep Environment
Light pollution, noise, uncomfortable temperatures or even an unsupportive mattress can interfere with your ability to sleep deeply. Your bedroom should be a calming sanctuary: dark, cool, and quiet.
4. Caffeine, Alcohol or Heavy Meals
Caffeine can linger in your system for up to 8 hours, and while alcohol may make you feel sleepy initially, it can disrupt sleep later in the night. In particular, it can lead to increased body temperature and night sweats as the body tries to metabolise it. Similarly, eating large or spicy meals too close to bedtime can cause discomfort that affects sleep quality. An earlier dinner time with lighter dinners is an easy way to change this.
5. Underlying Health Conditions
Hormonal fluctuations (like menopause), pain, restless legs, and even nutrient deficiencies, like magnesium, can contribute to poor sleep. If sleep issues persist, it’s worth discussing them with a health professional to rule out deeper causes.
6. Lack of exercise
It could be that you are simply not active enough. Regular physical activity is associated with better sleep, while inactivity can contribute to sleep disorders like insomnia and sleep apnea. Exercise can improve sleep quality by increasing the amount of deep sleep, which is crucial for physical restoration and muscle repair.
Supporting Your Body Naturally
If you're tired of lying awake night after night, know that you're not powerless. Creating a calming bedtime routine, limiting screen time, and supporting your nervous system with natural botanicals may help prepare your body for restful sleep.
At Vasse Valley, we’ve developed two terpene-based tonics — Siesta and Calm — designed to support the two key drivers of sleeplessness: an overactive mind and an unbalanced nervous system.
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Siesta is formulated to promote a restful night’s sleep by working with your body’s natural sleep mechanisms. It contains specific terpenes shown to interact with adenosine A2A receptors, which help regulate your sleep-wake cycle. Activating these receptors promotes drowsiness and reduces arousal — essentially giving your brain permission to wind down. Some terpenes in Siesta may also influence GABA receptors, which are responsible for slowing down nerve activity and promoting a deep, relaxed state essential for quality sleep.
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Calm is designed for daytime stress management — because how you manage stress during the day has a big impact on how well you sleep at night. Chronic stress can deplete your natural supply of calming neurotransmitters and raise cortisol levels, which disrupt melatonin and interfere with sleep onset. Calm includes a blend of terpenes that help modulate the GABAergic system, increasing your sense of calm and balance. Some of these terpenes are also known to support A2A receptor activity, which helps regulate mood and emotional resilience.
Together, Siesta and Calm offer a holistic, natural approach to stress and sleep — supporting both the mind and the body to restore balance and promote healthier, more restorative rest.
Final Thoughts
A good night’s sleep isn’t just a luxury — it’s essential for your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Yet for many of us, stress, overstimulation, and disrupted sleep cycles can make true rest feel out of reach.
By understanding how your body’s natural systems regulate sleep — particularly through pathways like the adenosine A2A and GABA receptors — you can make more informed choices about how to support them. At Vasse Valley, we’ve developed Siesta and Calm to do just that: provide plant-based, science-informed support to help you unwind, manage stress, and sleep more soundly.
If your sleepless nights stem from an overactive mind or long days filled with tension, this gentle, natural combination may offer the reset your body is craving. Because better sleep starts long before bedtime — and your journey to rest doesn’t have to involve harsh pharmaceuticals or waking up groggy.
Ready to support your sleep naturally? Get outside, exercise, eat well, and explore Siesta and Calm — crafted with care, backed by science, and inspired by nature.