Signs Your Body Needs More Melatonin
By Anna Collins
1 month ago
1. You find it difficult to fall asleep, even when you're tired!
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Melatonin is one of the most important things involved in our sleep-wake cycle! Melatonin is a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles, and when levels are low, it can lead to insomnia or difficulty initiating sleep. It's a frustrating cycle. You crawl into bed exhausted, but the moment your head hits the pillow, sleep seems to evade you. Hours tick by, and you're still wide awake, staring at the ceiling!2. You notice your appetite fluctuating, especially in the evening
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Ever notice how your appetite seems to go haywire, especially as the evening rolls around? One minute you're ravenous, and the next, you couldn't care less about food. Could this fluctuation be a sign that your body is lacking the melatonin it needs to regulate hunger hormones and keep your appetite in check?3. You experience vivid dreams or nightmares regularly
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Vivid dreams and having nightmares don't allow us to get a good night's sleep. If you need more melatonin you may find your dreams becoming a disturbing experience - and despite your best efforts to shake off the remnants of these nocturnal adventures upon waking, they linger with you, leaving you feeling unsettled and exhausted.4. You often wake up feeling groggy or unrested
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Despite spending what should have been sufficient time in bed, you emerge feeling far from refreshed. This can all boil down to you needing more melatonin! When you have insufficient levels might leave you feeling lethargic and unrefreshed upon waking.5. Your mood feels consistently low or irritable
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Irritation can often be linked to not getting good sleep - or, more specifically, not having enough melatonin. Prioritise your night time sleep routine to boost your levels so that you don't have to tackle each day with persistent feelings or irritation or feeling super low!6. You have trouble concentrating or focusing during the day
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When melatonin levels are depleted, your mind struggles to maintain clarity, leaving you feeling scattered and easily distracted. It's as if your mental energy is sapped, making even simple tasks feel like daunting challenges. Address your melatonin levels to see if it could solve the problem.7. Your eyes feel heavy and droopy, even in the morning
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What we would all love to do is wake up feeling refreshed and energetic. Is that often the case? Nope. This is normal, but excessive heaviness and droopiness could be because you need more melatonin. It could be causing you to feel extra groggy when you wake up first thing.8. Your sleep schedule feels erratic, with frequent waking during the night
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When your melatonin levels are insufficient, it can result in fragmented sleep, with you waking up multiple times during the night. Addressing this issue may involve implementing strategies to boost melatonin production naturally, such as establishing a regular sleep routine, creating a calming bedtime environment, and minimizing exposure to stimulating activities or electronic devices before bed.9. You frequently toss and turn in bed, unable to find a comfortable position
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If you frequently toss and turn in bed, struggling to find a comfortable position, it could be a sign that your body isn't producing enough melatonin. Night time stops being a comfortable slumber and instead you find yourself wrestling the mattress to get comfy!10. Your body feels tense or restless, making it hard to relax before bedtime
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Relaxation feels impossible: your muscles are wound tight, your mind is racing, and sleep seems like a distant memory. You try everything from deep breathing to meditation to unwind, but nothing seems to do the trick. It's like your body is unable to switch off and settle down for the night. Melatonin can be responsible for this reaction!11. Your anxiety is getting worse
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There are so many causes of anxiety that it can be very difficult to pinpoint the reason behind why you feel as though your anxiety is getting worse. Sometimes, this escalating unease may stem from various factors, including having low melatonin levels!12. Your energy levels are consistently low throughout the day
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When you feel like you've got no energy, simple things like making it through the day can feel like a drag. Energy and melatonin go hand in hand. Without enough melatonin, you could find yourself completely lacking in energy and feeling super lethargic and unmotivated!13. You experience headaches or migraines, particularly upon waking
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Waking up to pounding headaches or debilitating migraines has become an all-too-familiar part of your morning routine, and that's not something you should dismiss as 'normal'. Insufficient melatonin levels may leave your body more susceptible to headaches, particularly upon waking, as your body struggles to manage pain and inflammation without an adequate supply of this essential hormone.14. You find yourself relying on caffeine or other stimulants to stay awake
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We shouldn't NEED caffeine to be able to get through the day. As we know, melatonin helps regulate the body's internal clock and promote sleep. When melatonin production is insufficient, you may experience difficulties falling asleep or maintaining a consistent sleep schedule. As a result, they may turn to caffeine or other stimulants to stay awake and alert during the day!15. Your memory and cognitive function seem to be declining
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16. You often wake up feeling parched or excessively thirsty
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Waking up in the night gasping for a drink on a nightly basis could indicate something's up. Melatonin is very much linked with the body's water balance and renal function, helping to regulate fluid distribution and excretion during sleep. Reduced melatonin levels may disrupt this regulatory mechanism, leading to increased water loss through urination and contributing to dehydration overnight.17. Your immune system feels weakened, leading to more frequent illnesses
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Experiencing a weakened immune system (which can be caused by melatonin) can manifest in a myriad of ways, including a higher susceptibility to illnesses and infections. When your body's defense mechanisms are compromised, it becomes easier for pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and other microbes to invade and proliferate, leading to more frequent bouts of illness.18. You notice changes in your skin, such as dryness or breakouts
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You've started to notice troubling changes in your skin—dry patches cropping up seemingly out of nowhere, or sudden outbreaks of acne leaving you feeling frustrated and self-conscious. It's as if your skin has taken on a mind of its own, rebelling against your usual skincare routine. Could it be that your body's melatonin levels are behind these shifts?19. Your muscles feel stiff or achy upon waking
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When melatonin levels are out of tune—whether it's due to irregular sleep patterns, late-night Netflix binges, or the relentless glow of the screens—leading to a whole lot of sleep disruptions. You then may wake up, feeling completely stiff and achy.20. You have difficulty regulating your body temperature, feeling too hot or too cold at night
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When you have need more melatonin, you may notice your body temperature is constantly up and down. One moment, you're throwing off the covers in a sweaty frenzy, and the next, you're shivering beneath layers of blankets, leaving you feeling hot and cold in equal measure.21. You experience increased sensitivity to light or sound while trying to sleep
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When the sun sets and darkness falls, your body naturally starts producing melatonin, signaling that it's time to wind down and prepare for sleep. This natural rhythm is what helps keep your sleep schedule on track. When you don't have enough of it, lights and sounds could keep you awake at night, feeling much more pronounced than usual!22. Your libido has decreased, possibly due to disrupted sleep patterns
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Your once-vibrant libido has gone AWOL, leaving you feeling like a shadow of your former self in the bedroom. It's like your desire has been replaced with apathy, leaving you and your partner feeling disconnected and dissatisfied. It could be as simple as you lacking melatonin!23. You're more prone to experiencing mood swings or emotional outbursts
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A lack of melatonin can make you much more emotional! When you're sleep-deprived, your brain's ability to manage emotions becomes compromised, leading to heightened irritability, mood swings, and emotional instability. Getting adequate sleep is essential for maintaining emotional well-being and stability.24. Your reaction times seem slower than usual
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Without sufficient sleep, the brain's ability to process information and respond quickly becomes compromised. This can lead to slower reaction times, decreased alertness, and impaired decision-making abilities. You may be reacting much slower than you feel you should be!25. You often wake up with a sore throat or hoarse voice
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Waking up with a sore throat or hoarse voice may be linked to needing more melatonin , which can exacerbate throat irritation. Melatonin's role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle and promoting muscle relaxation in the throat may not be efficient with low levels! And, melatonin's influence on immune function means that low levels could leave the throat more vulnerable to inflammation from infections.26. You feel like you need to nap frequently throughout the day
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Feeling the urge to nap frequently throughout the day? Your body might be signaling a need for more rest or potential underlying issues affecting your energy levels. One possible culprit could be low levels of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Insufficient melatonin can lead to disrupted sleep patterns, leaving you feeling fatigued during the day.27. You experience digestive issues like bloating or indigestion, particularly at night
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Disrupted melatonin levels could lead to digestive issues, causing discomfort, particularly at night when your body's natural rhythms are disturbed. So, these digestive problems might be a sign that your body needs more melatonin to restore balance and ease your discomfort.28. You have trouble winding down before bed, feeling wired or anxious instead
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As bedtime approaches, you struggle to unwind and relax, feeling wired or anxious instead. Your mind refuses to switch off, racing with thoughts and worries that keep you tossing and turning. It's not necessarily just a sign that you have things on your mind, there could be a physical explanation such as needing more melatonin!29. Your joints feel stiff or inflamed upon waking
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30. You struggle with maintaining a regular exercise routine because you're so fatigued
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Struggling to stick to a regular exercise routine because of fatigue often feels like hitting a brick wall. Fatigue can throw a wrench into your motivation, leaving you feeling drained and unable to muster the energy needed to get moving. But it could be that your body's melatonin levels are part of the problem!31. You notice changes in your hair, such as increased shedding or dullness
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You've begun to notice troubling changes in your hair that can't simply be brushed aside - quite literally. Your hair is thinning and it's completely lacking its usual vibrancy. Melatonin is important for our hair growth and for the health of our hair, without it remains dull and lifeless!32. You experience more frequent episodes of dizziness or light-headedness
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These unsettling sensations may be linked to various factors, including disruptions in melatonin levels. Melatonin can help with out balance and coordination. So, it makes sense that we don't have enough melatonin and need more, we may find ourself knocked off balance!33. You have difficulty regulating your appetite, leading to overeating or undereating
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Your relationship with food has become increasingly complex, with your appetite fluctuating wildly between extremes of overeating and undereating. Some days, you find yourself constantly reaching for snacks, unable to satisfy your seemingly insatiable hunger. Other days, the mere thought of food makes you queasy, and you struggle to muster up an appetite. Melatonin not only regulates sleep but also influences appetite and metabolism.34. You find it challenging to cope with stress or manage your emotions effectively
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These challenges may be linked to disruptions in melatonin levels, impacting mood regulation and emotional resilience. When we are in need of more melatonin, we may find that it can exacerbate feelings of overwhelm and difficulty managing our emotions.35. Your sense of balance feels off, leading to clumsiness or unsteadiness
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It's as if your body's natural grace has been replaced with an unsettling sense of unsteadiness, causing you to stumble over your own feet or fumble with everyday tasks. And it could all be caused by melatonin....or more specifically, a lack of it! Try and boost your melatonin naturally, or take a supplement!36. You often wake up with a pounding heartbeat or palpitations
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Starting your day with a pounding heartbeat or palpitations is startling and it can leave you with a feeling of anxiety! Melatonin helps maintain our heart health, and therefore it can help us keep a steady heartbeat. Try and boost your melatonin to see if the problem subsides!37. You're more susceptible to experiencing mood disorders like depression or anxiety
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Melatonin interacts with various neurotransmitter systems in the brain, including serotonin, a neurotransmitter closely associated with mood regulation. Serotonin plays a pivotal role in managing mood, and disruptions in its levels have been linked to mood disorders like depression or anxiety!38. Your sense of taste or smell feels dulled or diminished
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There's a subtle yet unmistakable change in your perception of taste and smell, as if someone turned down the volume on the world around you. Flavors that once danced on your taste buds now seem muted and dull, while scents that used to stand out have lost their sharpness!39. You frequently wake up with a dry mouth or cottonmouth sensation
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When melatonin levels are low, your body may not produce enough saliva, leading to the very uncomfortable sensation of dryness in your mouth when you wake up. This dry mouth sensation can persist throughout the day, affecting your comfort and oral health.40. You have trouble falling back asleep after waking up during the night
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Waking up in the night isn't problematic when you fall straight to sleep. But, if you can't get back to sleep after waking it's so frustrating. Exposure to artificial light can affect the body's ability to return to sleep after awakening and lessen melatonin - try not to go on your phone when you wake up!41. You notice changes in your vision, such as blurriness or eye strain
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As our bodies age, the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates our sleep-wake cycle, tends to decrease. Interestingly, melatonin also plays a crucial role in protecting our eyesight. When melatonin levels dip, it can lead to changes in vision, such as blurriness or eye strain.42. You experience increased cravings for sugary or high-carb foods
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Have you found yourself reaching for sugary snacks or high-carb treats more frequently lately? This could be your body's way of compensating for a lack of melatonin. Research suggests that melatonin plays a role in regulating appetite and metabolism. When melatonin levels are low, it can disrupt this regulation!43. You feel more susceptible to catching colds or other respiratory infections
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A strong immune system is crucial for fighting off infections, including colds and respiratory illnesses. Melatonin not only regulates our sleep but also supports our immune function. Studies have shown that melatonin enhances the production and activity of immune cells, helping to bolster our body's defenses against pathogens.44. You have trouble maintaining a healthy weight
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Surprisingly, weight and sleep are very much interconnected. When you need more melatonin, you may not be getting quality sleep. It can then affect your appetite hormones, leading to increased hunger and potential weight gain. And, insufficient sleep can impact the body's ability to regulate hunger and fullness signals, making it harder to make healthy food choices and control portion sizes.45. You frequently experience muscle twitches or spasms during sleep
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Muscle twitches or spasms during sleep can disrupt your rest and leave you feeling fatigued and restless. While occasional muscle twitches are normal, frequent or persistent twitching may be a sign of underlying issues, including having a melatonin deficiency.46. You feel like you're struggling to shake off sleep inertia ALL day
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Engaging in activities that once captivated your attention now becomes a struggle to stay awake. Whether it's reading a book, watching a movie, or even participating in a hobby you once enjoyed, the battle against drowsiness feels relentless. Your eyelids droop, your mind drifts, and despite your efforts, staying alert becomes an uphill battle.47. You're more prone to experiencing accidents or injuries due to fatigue
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Simple actions that would typically be executed with ease suddenly become perilous endeavors. Whether it's driving a car, operating machinery, or even navigating a staircase, the fog of fatigue clouds judgment and coordination, increasing the likelihood of missteps and mishaps. This is something to investigate, and melatonin could be a factor!48. You often wake up feeling disoriented or confused about the time
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We've all experienced a midday nap when we've slept that little bit too long and woken up wondering what day it is, whether it's day or night, and how long we have been asleep. Needing more melatonin may make you feel like this every single morning!49. You find it challenging to stay awake during activities that used to keep you engaged
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When melatonin levels are dysregulated, you may find themselves struggling to stay awake even during activities that previously captivated their attention. The lack of synchronization between the body's internal clock and external stimuli can result in excessive daytime sleepiness.50. You notice changes in your mood, such as emotional instability
