5 Ways I'm Trying To Get A Better Nights Sleep
I love to sleep, I also love talking about sleep and at the moment the conversation revolves around not getting enough of the good stuff. I track my sleep using my FitBit Alta and I’ve not been getting more than 6 hours for weeks, and let me tell you, I do not cope well with so little sleep nor do I think anyone does. In reality, there is absolutely no reason why I shouldn’t be getting 7-8 hours so this is how I’m currently trying to make sure I get a really good nights sleep.
GOING TO SLEEP WHEN I GET IN BED
I’ve got a good evening routine down for the most part and most days I’ll get in bed just before 9 pm unless I’m working late but in general it’s around that time which is a really good time for an early riser like me. However, I’ve got in a terrible habit of getting in bed and then faffing around on my laptop or scrolling through Instagram for way too long and we all know that doesn’t help you sleep at all. When I moved out I made a really conscious effort to try not to do anything work-related in bed so that our bedroom could be a really relaxing place rather than somewhere I was staying up late tapping away at my laptop. But I’ve slowly fallen back into my old habits and they’re not something I want to keep up because if I actually go to sleep when I get in bed then I’d probably feel so much more rested when I get up which is between 5.30 and 6 am.
DITCH THE PHONE
As I said, I’ve got into a really bad habit of spending a lot of time on my phone when I’m in bed and I’m for a little bit of scrolling before bed. As I don’t think that’s the worst thing in the world to do if you turn your screen brightness right down and use night mode as by utilising those things you’re not being so exposed to that bright blue light that tricks your brain that it’s daylight. My biggest problem when I’m using my phone is that I’m just pointlessly scrolling through those weird Instagram videos and getting lost in so way too many memes which are entertaining but not necessary viewing. I don’t think I’ll ever be one of those people that can take their phone out of their bedroom completely but I know I need to seriously kick my scrolling habit to the curb.
TRY AND READ INSTEAD OF Watching netflix
Something that would help me ditch my scrolling habits entirely would be reading instead of passively watching things on Netflix or YouTube. Once I get in a good rhythm with reading then it’s all I want to do but I do find it hard to switch off and focus on a book when my mind is so busy. And ultimately reading is something that helps me sleep so much better than watching Netflix ever will, I’m so tempted to start reading Harry Potter from the start as it’s been years since I’ve done that and that never fails to kick my start my love for literature once again and gets me in a good habit of picking up a book.
invest in new bedding & PILLOWS
There are a couple of things that we need to replace in our bedding set up to make it even more of a haven than it already is. Our mattress and duvet are so incredibly comfortable, but we could probably do with getting some new bedspreads though. I’m thinking maybe one of those linen numbers that seem to perfectly wrinkle that I see all over Instagram as they look so cozy and also very breathable for the warmer months. The biggest thing we need to invest in though is our pillows, we have one good one but the other ones are really old and they’re seriously lacking in support. You know you’re getting older when you know you need to spend your money on pillows than new clothes so your neck doesn’t feel terrible when you get up.
REACH FOR MY FAVOURITE BEDTIME PRODUCTS
Aside from my evening skincare routine I try and keep things pretty simple for when I get in bed as I don’t want to have to spend time faffing around with 10 different steps or feel like I’m covering the sheets in oil or cream as I do share my bed with two long legged hounds. There are a couple of absolute staples in my routine though and one I like to use as and when and they are;
Lip balm: My biggest staple that I will never be without in an evening is some sort of lip balm. Right now I’m using the Lanolips 101 Ointment (gifted) which has been a staple in my life for years. It’s a thick rich balm which nourishes and repairs lips so quickly, as we’re still having some seriously cold days in the UK it’s been perfect for protecting them against the wind. You can use this on other areas of the body but I like it most when used on the lips although if you’ve got a burn or cut I cannot recommend it enough.
Hand cream: One of my worst anxious habits is pulling at my skin on the side of my fingers and the only way to help them heal is to use a good hand cream (and leave them alone, obviously). I like to get the L’Occitane Almond Hand Cream (gifted) one that is typically kept in my office in the day if things are really sore as that’s a brilliant option for helping repair my hands but it doesn’t make them feel sticky or tacky at all. A big no-no for any hand cream that I use day or night.
Sleep spray: I try not to go crazy with the sleep sprays but when it’s been a really long day I do love giving my pillow a good spritz with the Ren & Now To Sleep Pillow Spray (gifted). It’s got just the right amount of lavender in that it’s calming but it’s not headache inducing, a common issue I find with products like this. Sprays like this are what I consider a serious princess product as they aren’t a necessity by any means but they certainly are relaxing.
