Nothing wakes you up like a charley horse. I had night cramps in my calves three or four times a week, the kind that make you hop around the bedroom at 2am trying not to scream. I tried potassium, magnesium, more water. Some of it helped, none of it stopped them.

What stopped them for me was salt.

Why salt can matter

Muscles need electrolytes to fire and relax properly. If you sweat a lot, drink a lot of water, or eat a low sodium diet, your body can run low on sodium, and low sodium shows up as muscle cramps, especially at night.

How to use the trick

1. Add a pinch of salt to your evening water, or eat something salty with dinner.
2. Do not go overboard. A pinch, not a salt lick.
3. Pair it with a small glass of water before bed.
4. If cramps persist, talk to your doctor about your electrolytes.

The honest catch

Salt is not the answer for everyone. Magnesium deficiency is another common cause, and so is dehydration. I added a magnesium supplement at the same time, so I cannot say for sure which one fixed it. Both together, no more cramps.

Instant relief when one hits

If a cramp still comes, stand up, put weight on the leg, and stretch the calf by pulling your toes up. Walking it out works faster than massage for me. Then drink water with a pinch of salt and go back to bed.