There's nothing like a good night's sleep to make you feel ready to take on the world (or at least the kiddos at 7am). Unfortunately, I've had nothing like a good night's sleep for goodness knows how long! So, this morning here are a few reminders of how to achieve that all important beauty sleep.
Try to keep a regular bedtime and wake-up time (even on those weekends when you'd just love a lie in!).
Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, relatively cool, comfortable and a place for relaxation.
Have a lovely comfortable bed with enough space - avoid sharing with pets and the children if you can!
Try to do some daily exercise - 30 mins at least - although not before bedtime as this can interfere with sleep.
Relax before you go to bed. Listen to music, a little reading, take a warm bath, gentle yoga.
Try not to eat too late or too larger meal before bed. Sometimes a little snack does help though!
Too much to fluid before bed may mean you'll be waking in the night to use the toilet.
Avoid alcohol, caffeine and nicotine late at night.
Hide your clock! A bright illuminated clock can become a focus if you are waking regularly.
Keep a little notebook by your bed. Make a note of things on your mind if they are keeping you awake.
If you do wake up, don't lie there tossing, turning and worrying about going back to sleep. Get up and do something until you feel tired again.
Go to bed when you are tired!
All the above tips aren't possible for everyone of course, but maybe you can incorporate a few to help get in a few extra hours beauty sleep.
Of course, we've all got our own little bedroom rituals too. I like to get lots of fresh air in the bedroom during the daytime to clear the air. I only have white crispy bedlinens. On chilly nights I cannot get to sleep with cold feet, so socks are sometimes needed. And on hot summer nights, I hate to have hot feet so cool them down with cold water before I go to bed! Each to their own!
What about you? Any special sleep tips to pass on?
Wishing you a restful night tonight. x
Sweet dreams to you too Victoria.
ReplyDeleteI've found loading an iPod with stories a great way to put me back to sleep when I wake at 2 or 3AM - an adult version of a bedtime story to put my mind back to sleep.
x Felicity
This is tremendously helpful as I am a terrible sleeper! Love the notebook idea:) x LondonZest
ReplyDeleteThese are so good to remember! I don't have additional tips, but I see many things that I do that are not helping! The cat on my head is probably the worst, but this almost 20-year-old cat will NOT change no matter what. Thank you for these, Victoria!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! Luckily I zonk out as soon as my head touches the pillow. But I do find that no TV just before bed, nothing apart from a bed in the bedroom and a very dull book help.
ReplyDeleteSweet dreams!
Great tips, Victoria. I haven't had a good night sleep in...well...I don't even remember. Sad, isn't it? I exercise, eat well (not too heavy, no caffeine after 6:00 pm etc), and yet...sleep doesn't come easy most of the time. Thanks for this wonderful reminder that sleeping well is so important to our overall health. Take care! Sleep well!
ReplyDeleteOne of your tips was what mum always told me off about - don't look at the clock all night. She would give me a ticking off for doing this. Pat x
ReplyDeleteDefinitely no alcohol and no caffein before bed for me, if I want to have a good sleep. That's why I have my wine with breakfast ;-)
ReplyDeleteI personally like to pass out for five minutes between the times my children wake me at the moment. Top tip!
ReplyDelete