Warm Milk Can Help You Get a Good Night’s Sleep, Aiding Stress Management

A centuries-old home treatment for getting a better night's sleep is to drink warm milk before bed. Warm milk, according to SleepAdvisor.org, can have a soothing impact on both the body and the mind. For example, for people who grew up drinking warm milk before bed, the ritual can signal that it's time to sleep. Sipping a hot beverage while cuddled up on the couch is also inherently calming. Calcium-rich meals are important for bone health, but a study published in the journal Nutrition Research and Practice in December 2012 found that this nutrient may also help reduce depression.

Milk and other dairy foods containing calcium and vitamin D can help muscles relax and mood stabilize – one study published in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology in January 2017 even revealed that it can aid with premenstrual syndrome symptoms. Calcium, according to Figueroa, is the principal stress reliever in this area. If milk isn't your thing, other dairy products like yogurt and cheese, according to MedlinePlus, are excellent calcium sources. If you're lactose intolerant, the website recommends canned salmon, almonds, sunflower seeds, and green leafy vegetables like kale, broccoli, turnip greens, and bok choy.