Let’s be honest: us mamas will do just about anything to get our kids to sleep well. My four-year-old has been climbing into my bed this last week, sandwiching me between him and the two-year-old. It’s not my idea of a good time and it makes me desperate to get him sleeping better. Which is why I created this magnesium lotion recipe.

I’ve tried various recipes, but I wanted one that soaked into my skin better. I based this one on my favorite simple lotion recipe, so I knew I would like it, and I added a soothing essential oil blend to help induce sleepy time.

Benefits of magnesium

The reason I wanted to create a magnesium lotion recipe is because magnesium is well absorbed through the skin. There are lots of different types of magnesium, which I’ll look at closer below, but first, let’s take a look at why we should supplement magnesium in the first place.

Magnesium is needed for essentially every function in the body. You can’t live without it.

Magnesium can help keep you regular. It relaxes the gastrointestinal tract and keeps peristalsis, the natural muscle relaxation and contraction of the colon, working properly. Too much of the wrong kind can cause a problem of a different kind, so stay tuned.

Magnesium eases muscle cramps. Muscle cramps are often caused by lack of magnesium and other minerals, so supplementing with this magnesium lotion recipe can relieve them.

Magnesium calms the nervous system and eases anxiety. Magnesium is a relaxant, which can soothe the nervous system and relieve symptoms of anxiety, depression, nervousness, and irritability.

Magnesium helps increase energy. While magnesium helps with relaxation, it’s needed on a cellular level to increase energy. Read about the right kind of magnesium to take for energy here.

Symptoms of magnesium deficiency

The symptoms of magnesium deficiency are numerous, as magnesium deficiency can contribute to any number of health conditions, and most sufferers of serious health conditions are likely deficient in magnesium. Some of the common symptoms include:

• headaches
• muscle cramps
• constipation
• anxiety
• high blood pressure
• chronic fatigue
• muscle weakness
• heart rhythm irregularities
• depression and irritability

Basically, magnesium is really stinkin’ important!

Unfortunately, today’s soil is depleted, so it’s hard to get a sufficient amount of magnesium from our food. Still, good food sources of magnesium include:

• dark leafy greens
• beans
• nuts and seeds
• yogurt
• bananas
• dark chocolate

Ways I get magnesium in

There are basically three ways I use magnesium in order to supplement.

Epsom salt baths- I take hot Epsom salt baths nearly every day in order to soak in some magnesium and help my body detox through the skin.

Morning Magnesium– a magnesium supplement from one of my favorite supplement companies, Smidge, Morning Magnesium is a combination of three types of quality sources of magnesium, along with boron for better absorption. This magnesium is formulated to create energy on a cellular level.

Mr. Incredible took it with him on a recent trip out of town for a big interview and totally nailed it. He got the promotion and now we’re moving. I’m not saying it was all due to Morning Magnesium… but I’m not saying it’s not either. Grab Morning Magnesium here.

My homemade magnesium lotion- I try to make sure and rub down with this lotion every night before bed.

The easy way to use magnesium and help your kids sleep better

Knowing how important magnesium is, I wanted an easy way to get it into my kiddos. This Nighty-Night Magnesium Lotion recipe makes it easy to supplement magnesium for my kids, plus helps everyone sleep better. End game: mom win.

A couple things you should know:

This lotion stings a little at first. However, in my experience, the stinging stops after a few days of use, as your levels of magnesium improve and your body adjusts. If your kids complain, you can rub it on the soles of their feet, where it doesn’t get itchy. Otherwise, I rub it on soft tissue like thighs and tummy.

This lotion doesn’t taste good. Tidbit from Mister Two, who thought he’d lick the pan after I was done making it. Bad move, sir.

With all that in mind, go give this super simple and easy magnesium lotion a try and have everyone sleeping better TONIGHT!

Nighty-Night Magnesium Lotion Recipe