Good Night!
Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the best things we can do for our health. We focus a lot on physical exercise as a sign of wellness, but sleep and rest (real rest) is one of the most important components to our overall well-being, from physical, to emotional, and mental health. With our busy lifestyles though (especially the working Mom), finding time to get sleep can be a challenge. As we all know, good sleep isn’t just something that comes easily. There are many ways that we can make it easier on ourselves to sleep better and get the right amount of rest we need to stay healthy. Here are some of my top suggestions, things that work for me andsome that I’m still working on. I’d love to see your tips in the comments!
1. A Made Bed
I know this sounds kind of silly because what’s the point of making a bed you’re just getting into? But this has a lot of benefits for many reasons. If you take a little extra time in the morning, I’ve read that you’re likely to be more productive during the day and get better sleep at night. This is where psychology kicks in. Getting your mind ready for bed gets your body ready for bed. Another thing that helps me sleep well is good bedding. I know bedding can be expensive, but I promise it’s an expense you’ll thank yourself for. Spring for some nice sheets, a thick comforter or duvet, and comfy pillows for a better night’s sleep.
2. Shower Just Before Bed
The age old debate about when to shower; some people shower at night and some people shower in the morning. Both are good for you and it’s really a preference thing at the end of the day, which is why some people do both. But honestly, I have found that I sleep better after a warm shower at night. I would rather shower both in the evening and in the morning, than not shower at night at all. The steam from theshower helps relax your body and get rid of some of the stress from the day.
3. Skincare Routine
You’ve probably noticed that I’m always talking about a good skincare routine. I’ve shared mine on the blog several times and even shared how I’m incorporating it while working from home. That’s because a good routine benefits more than just your face; skincare is self-care. Taking the time to do something for ourselves is so important; you’re spending time finding the right products for your skin; you’re blocking out a time to focus on your needs; and you’re doing something that makes you feel good. It doesn’t need to be a long process with a million products, but just adding makeup wipes and a cleanser, an oil or moisturizer, and whatever else makes you happy, can, in fact, make you happy.
4. Try Natural Vitality CALM®
This has been a game changer for me, especially as I struggle to balance the many changes happening around us. Natural Vitality CALM is a supplement that uses the power of magnesium to relax your muscles and relieve some of your stress.* When I first heard of it, I kept seeing people call it the “anti-stress drink mix” and I was like “pour me a glass.” And I was so surprised to find that it actually tastes good nomatter what you put it in. Sometimes I add it to a glass of warm tea or I’ll mix it in a cold glass of water. The raspberry lemon flavor is my favorite so far but it comes unflavored as well and you can even get it as a capsule or a gummy.
Mostly I love what the Natural Vitality CALM does for me. I think most of us are looking for ways to de-stress at the end of the day but it can be hard to find healthy ways to do that. If you’re feeling stressed and busy, CALM can help you relax on-the-go when you’re feeling overwhelmed during the day and, of course, before bed.*
5. Pajamas on Purpose!
I’m all about pajamas (and I mean, real pajamas) for bedtime. I think a lot of us are used to just putting on whatever we wear around the house to bed. But now I’velearned the importance of separating your day clothes with your bedtime clothes. Again, psychology. This can be another way to let your brain know that it’s time to sleep. For me, this is also another form of self-care. Finding pajamas I feel cute in and also having pajamas I just feel comfortable in like an oversized tee-shirt or a big sweater is a great way for me to feel good and sleep “good.”
6. Build your Bedside Table
By this, I mean, prepare items that you want easily accessible and that bring you comfort so you can sleep better. On my bedside, you’ll find: 1. A good book for sleep reading; 2. My charger because it helps me sleep better knowing my phone will be charged when I get up to start my day; 3. A cup of tea and a bottle of water with my Natural Vitality CALM mix; 4. The tv remote because sometimes I like to watch tv to unwind after a long day.
Things you won’t find near my bed: 1. My to-do list because I have to separate work from rest; 2. My computer because, again, I have to avoid the temptation to work.
7. Light a Candle
Somewhere in your room, I encourage you to have a candle. For safety reasons, it doesn’t have to be near your bed unless someone is home with you. I usually light mine on the dresser or near my reading corner so I always remember to turn it off on my way to bed. Anyway, candles have been so magical for me in calming down, especially before bed. I buy a lot of candles from different home stores as well as online at an affordable price. I love filling my whole house with them. Whatever scents make you happy, I recommend adding them to your space.
8. Try a Diffuser for Aroma Therapy
This is another great way to add soothing smells to your home: a diffuser. My absolute favorite scents are lemongrass and citronella (which both remind me ofhome) and lavender. The other great thing about diffusers is they can also be a part of your home decor; you can find them in so many styles and materials. I usually buy mine at different home stores like I mentioned above to get a good deal and variety.
9. Limit your Phone Time / Turn Off your Phone Early
This is a big “easier said than done” tip. We are all so connected to our phones these days and for good reason. We can connect to so many things on those little devices, including our jobs, our schools, our family and friends, and even resources we need. For me, as stressful as my phone can be, it also relaxes me when I need to switch gears from a busy day. I can scroll mindlessly through social media, watchfunny videos, and even read my Kindle books. But there is so much research on how it affects our sleep patterns.
It’s fine to be on your phone after a long day, but it’s important to limit that by setting an “Off” time every night to give your brain time to adjust away from the screen and into sleep mode. One thing that helps is to read a book instead. Like I said before, I keep both on my bedside. I turn my phone off an hour before bed and switch to my good book until I feel myself drifting off to sleep.
10. Set a Routine…And an Alarm
Setting an alarm can seem counterproductive to sleep but it can actually help a lot by setting up a routine for your body. I even have a nighttime alarm that tells me when it’s time to go to bed because I have found that my body has started to adjust to those times. Even on the days my alarm doesn’t ring for whatever reason, I am able to go to bed and wake up on time. Set your alarm for what works around your busy schedule. If you have kids like I do, the same way you follow their bedtime, you can follow one for yourself.
What Helps You Sleep?
I hope this was helpful to you. Sleep is so important to our overall health, from our brain health to our body’s health, and I don’t think it gets the attention it deserves. If you’re like me and you struggle to relax enough to sleep even with all these tricks, try a supplement to help get you there. The Natural Vitality CALM really does a good job to relax my body and help me find a sense of calm when things are crazy.* I can’t stress enough how important it is to de-stress! So let us know – what are some of the ways you relax and get a good night’s sleep?
FDA Disclaimer: *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
