What makes us feel truly happy?
Spending time with loved ones, engaging in meaningful work—whether it’s a career, caring for family, volunteering, or contributing to our community or the planet—and continually learning and growing. But even these fulfilling experiences can feel out of reach if our foundation isn’t solid.
To enjoy good energy and balanced mood, we need to feel well in our bodies. That means getting enough restful sleep, maintaining good cognitive function, and keeping anxiety at bay. As a medical herbalist, I see so many people struggling with low energy, brain fog, poor sleep, and rising anxiety—and herbal medicine can offer gentle, effective support.
Sleep: The Foundation of Wellness
Restorative sleep is essential for physical and emotional health. If your sleep is disrupted or shallow, everything from memory to mood to immunity can suffer. Thankfully, there are simple lifestyle tweaks and herbal remedies that can help improve your sleep quality naturally.
Here are a few of my top tips to help you sleep better:
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Get natural daylight early in the day. Your body’s internal clock (circadian rhythm) needs light exposure in the morning—even on cloudy days—to regulate your sleep/wake cycle properly.
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Avoid caffeine after 1pm. Caffeine can linger in your system for 10–12 hours. That late-afternoon coffee may be the reason you’re still tossing and turning at midnight.
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Cut down on sugar in the evening. Sugar spikes and crashes may lead to a spike of adrenaline at night as your body struggles to keep blood sugar levels steady, which may wake you up suddenly.
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Avoid eating too late. Digesting late night meals and snacks can disrupt your sleep, keeping your body in active mode when it should be winding down.
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Give yourself at least two hours to unwind before bed. No housework, emails, or stressful phone calls—just relax with a book, a bath, some gentle stretching, knitting, drawing, or your favourite TV show.
Herbal Medicine: Ancient Support for Modern Stress
Herbal medicine uses the natural healing power of whole plants to support the body’s own ability to stay balanced and well. People have used plants for healing as long as humans have existed—and many of the herbs we still use today were described in medical texts dating back centuries.
At our upcoming event, I’ll be talking about several herbal allies that can help you feel calmer, sleep more deeply, and enjoy more stable energy throughout the day. Some of the herbs we’ll explore include:
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Passionflower – Soothing for anxiety and gentle enough to support restful sleep.
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Lime flowers – Traditionally used to calm the nervous system and reduce tension.
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Lavender – A fragrant herb known for its relaxing and sleep-promoting effects.
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Ashwagandha – An adaptogen that helps your body cope with stress and boost energy.
You’ll also have the chance to sample a delicious, calming herbal tea blend—perfect for winding down at the end of the day.
Join Us: Yoga and Plant Medicine Evening
We warmly invite you to join us for a beautiful evening of gentle yoga, herbal tea, and practical herbal wisdom.
🧘 Yoga and Plant Medicine – Celebrating the Seasons
📅 Wednesday 18th June, 7–8.30pm
📍 St. John’s Church Community Centre, Friern Barnet Road, N11
Led by myself and the wonderful yoga teacher Cathy, this event includes a grounding yoga session, a talk on herbal remedies for the nervous system, and time to enjoy a cup of calming tea in community with others.
Whether you’re new to herbal medicine or looking to deepen your understanding, this is a lovely opportunity to reconnect with your body, find calm, and learn natural ways to support your wellbeing.
We’d love to see you there! For tickets click here
To find out more about Cathy Underwood’s yoga classes and retreats, click here
