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Growing up, I often struggled with sleep. Resting felt like the hardest task — my mind wouldn’t calm down, and sleep was something I actively avoided. No matter how tired I was, my system would just prolong my awake time.
Of course, this affected my days: bad mood, constant tiredness, irritability and stress. I felt stuck in a cycle where poor sleep led to more unavailability about it, and where I thought I had an unsolvable problem.
Sleep is the foundation for everything we do. Without proper rest, we can’t show up for ourselves or tackle life’s demands.
When I met SHYFT and received my first products, one of them was Reishi powder. With this, I started making a daily nighttime drink, and I quickly understood two things:
1) Having a bedtime routine signals and trains the body and mind over time to naturally calm down around the same time every day. It creates an expectation — just like brushing your teeth before bed, the act of preparing and drinking something warm can become a cue for sleep. Over time, my body started recognizing this signal, and winding down became easier.
2) Reishi supports this process immensely. Not only does it help relax the nervous system and ease stress, but it also creates a sense of calm without making me feel sleepy or foggy the next day. Unlike other sleep aids that force the body into sleep, Reishi works more holistically, supporting overall balance so that rest comes more naturally.
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is a medicinal mushroom with a long history in Traditional Chinese Medicine, often referred to as the “mushroom of immortality.” Unlike other adaptogens that focus on boosting energy, Reishi works to calm the body and mind, making it an ideal ally for relaxation and sleep.
One of the biggest roadblocks to restful sleep is an overactive mind. Reishi contains triterpenes, compounds known for their calming properties. These help lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone), easing feelings of anxiety and tension that can interfere with sleep.
Reishi is an adaptogen, meaning it helps the body adapt to stress. It regulates the autonomic nervous system, promoting a shift from the fight-or-flight state to a more parasympathetic, restful state. This helps prepare your body for deeper sleep. By calming the nervous system over time, Reishi doesn’t just help you fall asleep faster — it helps improve sleep depth and quality, ensuring you wake up feeling refreshed rather than restless.
Reishi doesn’t act as a sedative but rather promotes balanced sleep cycles. Studies suggest that it may increase slow-wave sleep (deep sleep), the stage responsible for physical recovery and immune function. This means you wake up feeling more refreshed, even if the number of hours you sleep stays the same.
Your body does its best repair work while you sleep, and Reishi enhances this process by supporting immune function. Its beta-glucans help strengthen the immune system, ensuring your body is in top condition to fight off stressors that could disrupt sleep.
A warm cup of Reishi mylk tea in the evening is a soothing way to signal your body that it’s time to unwind. Simply mix Reishi powder with hot water, let it steep for 10-15 minutes, then add a touch of honey and your favorite plant-based mylk for a creamy, calming drink.
To view the full recipe, check out our reel here.
A few drops of our potent Reishi extraction under the tongue is a fast-acting and effortless way to support relaxation before bed.
Herbs and adaptogens work best when taken consistently. While some people notice a difference in relaxation after the first use, others find that it takes a few weeks of regular intake to see improvements in sleep quality. The key is consistency and patience.
Many people turn to melatonin as a sleep aid, but there’s a key difference. Melatonin is a hormone that signals to your body when it’s time to sleep, while Reishi helps regulate stress and support the natural sleep cycle without directly inducing sleepiness. If melatonin leaves you foggy in the morning, Reishi may be a gentler, more sustainable alternative.
Reishi is a natural, non-habit-forming way to support relaxation, stress management, and deeper sleep.
Whether you’re struggling with occasional restlessness or looking to improve your sleep quality long-term, incorporating Reishi into your routine may help you wake up feeling more refreshed and balanced.
If you’d like to experience the benefits of high-quality Reishi, explore our Reishi powder for a soothing nighttime drink or our Reishi extraction for a quick and potent dose — both designed to support your sleep naturally!
Joana is a psychology student and wellness enthusiast. She explores the connections between nature, body, and mind, deepening our understanding of how the three can merge to support well-being.
