Laura Galván, a nurse: “In cases of mild insomnia, magnesium can be a powerful ally”

Poor sleep has become a common complaint. Trouble falling asleep, waking up during the night, or feeling tired upon waking are part of daily life for many people. While stress is often identified as the main cause, more and more experts are pointing to a less visible but significant factor: magnesium deficiency.

In a context of high physical and mental demands, magnesium plays a leading role in sleep quality by directly influencing the mechanisms that allow the body to relax and disconnect. “Many people live with suboptimal magnesium levels without realizing it, and this has a direct impact on their ability to relax. The body may be physically tired, but neurologically it remains alert, making it harder both to fall asleep and to maintain deep, restorative sleep,” explains Laura Galván Fernández, a nurse.

Rest is not just about getting more hours of sleep, but about the nervous system’s ability to transition from a state of alertness to one of rest. In this process, the balance between neurotransmitters is essential, and this is precisely where magnesium plays a key role.

“On a neurological level, magnesium acts as a modulator that helps balance brain activity. It is involved in regulating neurotransmitters such as GABA, which is essential for reducing nervous system activation and promoting calm states. When this balance is disrupted, the body has more difficulty disconnecting and entering a true state of rest,” Galván notes.

A deficiency that affects sleep

This deficiency is not always easy to identify, as its symptoms are often mistaken for the effects of a busy lifestyle. However, there are common signs that may indicate a lack of magnesium, especially when they directly affect rest and the ability to relax. These include difficulty unwinding at the end of the day, persistent muscle tension, light or shallow sleep, and a racing mind right before bedtime.

“Magnesium is involved in essential functions such as muscle relaxation and nervous system stability. When levels are low, the body loses part of its natural ability to relax, resulting in lighter, more fragmented, and less restorative sleep,” the nurse explains. “In cases of mild insomnia or difficulty falling asleep, magnesium can be a powerful ally because it helps prepare the body for rest. It reduces activation, eases physical tension, and promotes a state of calm that allows sleep to come naturally, without forcing it,” she adds.

This mineral supports muscle relaxation, reduces accumulated tension, helps lower nervous system activation, improves sleep quality and continuity, facilitates mental unwinding before bedtime, and supports a better stress response. In this context, Galván recommends options such as Magnesium 7+ by ZZEN Labs, which includes several highly bioavailable forms of magnesium, promoting better absorption and use by the body.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.