T’was the night before Christmas…
Vibrant minds at holiday time
…when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
Oh, to be the mouse! Here I am, wide awake at 2 am, giving the ceiling an intense stare-down like it's about to spill some secret wisdom, while the clock ticks away like a countdown to the end of my sanity. I'm just lying here, praying for deep sleep to swoop in and rescue me from my hyperactive brain that thinks this is its prime time to get all philosophical.
We’ve all been there, battling the stress gremlins and overactive brainwaves - some of us more than others, like me a few years back. Oh, the joys of having a brain that throws a party at 2 am - it’s the kind of shindig that featured all my overthinking and zero sleep.
But fear not! Over the years, I've whipped up a little bedtime routine that, when I stick to it, helps calm my rambunctious thoughts and ushers in those sweet hours of restorative sleep. It's almost like a magical recipe for snoozing, feel free to add your own fairy dust.
There’s five key elements from my sleep routine:
Starting with my bedroom, I try to make sure it’s clear of all things unnecessary for sleep, that means all my clothes from the day, yes hang them away! Take the phone, iPad, all the fun stuff - banish them to another room.
Spritz a lavender spray on the pillows, this is a treat to fall into. My dear friend (and our gorgeous Slumber model) Karis swears by this in her sleep routine!
Fresh air - open windows if you can, to keep fresh air flowing through the night, this helps regulate your body temperature. An overly warm bedroom inhibits deep sleep.
Moderating body temperature is crucial for getting a great night’s sleep and these days I need all the help I can get! Our gorgeous pure linen sheets are the perfect choice, linen works overtime to regulate body temperature while creating a cool, breathable environment for regenerative slumber.
Meditate before bed - I know this is not for everyone, but for a busy mind like mine, it’s brilliant! There’s loads of apps available, but my go-to is Insight Timer. I play anything with binaural beats, the gold standard when it comes to sleepy-time music. These delicate beats are renowned for reducing stress and making it easier to relax and fall asleep.
There you have it - my tried-and-true recipe for transforming restless nights into peaceful slumbers. It’s not about perfection, believe me not all nights are perfect! It’s about progress and finding what works best for you. Whether it’s the lavender spritz, the fresh linen sheets, or the calming hum of binaural beats, the key is to create an environment and routine that invites rest rather than resists it.
Sweet dreams aren’t just for fairy tales; they’re your nightly chance to hit the reset button, recharge your mental batteries, and wake up ready to tackle whatever chaos tomorrow throws your way. So give it a whirl tonight and maybe your future self will thank you.
This Works deep sleep pillow spray, a luxurious bedtime treat. Available from Mecca.