Delayed flights, jet lag, being a carer, too many deadlines, a new baby, worry…and one of the worst, a bad bed….I find sleep deprivation (or a back injury) to be one of the most debilitating “life problems”.
A good bed, like organic food and clean beauty, is key to feeling well and rested and how well we sleep is even more important than how long we sleep – quality is paramount, so:
1) Switch off those digital devices 90 mins before bed.
2) Pillow mists, herbal teas (lavender, chamomile, rose, orange blossom, valerian, mint), aromatherapy, magnesium, flower essences, meditation and divine bath oils – the magic sleep potions.
3) Block out any light and make sure the room isn’t too cold (or warm).
4) CBD oil, passion flower, valerian, melatonin, hops, magnesium (avoid magnesium oxide and look for Magnesium L-Threonate which is the only form that effectively crosses the blood-brain barrier and aids cognitive health)
5) Get the right pillow. (And mattress!)
6) Exercising/getting outside into early morning light helps you sleep better later.
7) Epsom Salts or a Himalayan Salt Bath can really relax you and suck out blocked tension.
8) If you have to check enails/watch Netflix before bed invest in a pair of blue blocker glasses.
9) Spacemasks can work wonders. A Beauty Shortlist Awards winner and favourite with the team! Loop the eyemask behind the ears, relax and the eyemask will heat up gently…ultra-relaxing and very comforting (recline and enjoy drifting off):
“A self-warming eye mask that calms your mind and drags you off to sleep faster than…zzz” – Cosmopolitan
10) Ensure your blood sugar is well controlled – spikes and drops (too low blood sugar can wake you in the early hours) and the same goes for your bladder. Problems like interstitial cystitis can have you peeing frequently during the night, so fix these problems through diet and natural supplements as neither will go away on its own without determined diet changes.
If somebody or something has been stealing your sleep lately, here are 12 “sleep treats” to put the sweet back into your dreams:
SLEEP BETTER CANDLES
Kiss The Moon “Dream” and Aurelia Skincare “Peacefulness”
BATH OILS & SLEEP OILS
Micheline Archier Aromatherapy “Sommeil” sleep oil (inhale to melt away your worries)
NEOM Organics Christmas Precious Moment of Sleep Gift Set (includes a Pillow Mist and Hand Balm) & 7 Nights of Sleep Set
Tisserand Aromatherapy Essential Oils “SLEEP” trio
This Works “Can’t Sleep?” duo
Olverum Bath Oil (an apothecary-style blend of sleep inducing oils, a little fills a whole bath)
THE NIGHT BALM
Inner Soul Healing Night Balm with Arnica, Amaranth, Lavender and Patchouli (the lavender really comes through…this is a rich, calming balm with wonderful aromatherapy properties, I’ve been using it this week)
THE AFTER THE DAY IS DONE EVENING MOISTURISER
Elemental Herbology Facial Souffle (night treatment)
THE DESTINATION: DREAMLAND! MASK
Switch off for some Interstellar Relaxation with Spacemasks’ self-heating eye mask “to whisk you away to a carefree world unpolluted by earthly distractions” – no eye strain, no social media… night night iPhone, buona notte iPad!
THE LUXURY BED WARMER
Hot water bottle by Holistic Silk (really gorgeous colours including a divine deep royal purple – a chilly night treat!)
THE MUSCLE SOOTHER
BetterYou Magnesium Sleep Mineral Lotion to naturally relax muscles to support a better sleep