There’s nothing worse than tossing and turning at night trying to get to sleep, but a simple bathroom staple could help you drift off, according to an expert
Tossing and turning at night, struggling to drift off to sleep, can be incredibly frustrating. A poor night’s sleep can leave you feeling exhausted, disoriented, and unable to tackle the demands of work or family life the next day.
For those who suffer from restless leg syndrome, the situation can be even more challenging. This condition often manifests as an uncontrollable urge to move your legs during the night, sometimes accompanied by unpleasant sensations like tingling, pulling, or crawling, making it impossible to unwind.
However, sleep expert Adeel Ul-Haq from Divan Beds suggested that a simple household item might provide relief from restless legs – a bar of soap. Although this remedy is not backed by scientific evidence, some individuals who have tried it claim that it can help alleviate their symptoms.
Adeel explained: “It may sound odd, but placing a bar of soap near your legs while you sleep can help some to reduce night time cramps and restless legs, and while there haven’t been any scientific studies to suggest that this works, there is some evidence to suggest that magnesium supplementation may help restless leg syndrome.
“This may show why this hack could work as bars of soap contain magnesium, another theory is that the scent in the soap, especially lavender or eucalyptus soaps may have a mild calming effect.”
To try this trick, place an unwrapped bar of soap under your bottom sheet near your feet. Opt for a natural soap that includes essential oils and steer clear of perfumed or synthetic soaps, reports Surrey Live.
Where you place the soap matters too; slide it under the sheet in a spot where it won’t shift excessively and won’t impact your sleeping position.
Adeel mentioned: “You also don’t want to position the soap on your skin, having it nearby is enough for those who find this effective.
“So next time you’re struggling to settle your legs, maybe reach for a bar of soap instead of your phone.”
Though this method may sound more like an old wives’ tale, there’s seemingly no harm in giving it a shot.
For people whom this trick does not help, Adeel recommended paying attention to sleep hygiene practices.
He remarked: “Even with the soap in your bed, you should still focus on your sleep schedule. You should avoid caffeine late in the day and create a calming environment where you can relax.
“If you are suffering from cramps, first check if you are getting enough hydration throughout the day, along with magnesium and potassium in your diet.
“If you have spasms that feel severe or happen often you should see a GP to rule out any serious issues.”
