Beauty sleep is a real thing – you need around eight hours a night for your body to rest and rejuvenate properly. If you struggle to get your recommended quota of shut-eye, try implementing the following in your night-time routine before you hit your pillow.
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Wind down
About an hour before you plan on hitting the hay, start to wind down and prepare your body for rest. Turn off all devices (that means no more late night scrolling through Facebook or Instagram, ladies), dim the lights and do something relaxing, like making a warm cup of Aveda Comforting Tea or reading a book.
Set the mood
Light a candle – this will create a bit of atmosphere in your room, and if you pick one with the right fragrance, help you relax too. We recommend Glasshouse Fragrances Monet’s Garden – Tuberose Triple Scented Candle with notes of tuberose, ylang ylang and lavender or Jo Malone London Oud & Bergamot Home Candle. Lavender, rose and bergamot are scents that help calm the mind, foster relaxation and lull you to sleep. But please remember to blow it out before you close your eyes!
If scented candles aren’t your thing (or you’re scared about burning the house down), spritz your pillow with a calming fragrance for a similar effect. Try In Essence Sleep Easy Pillow Mist – the combination of lavender, chamomile and valerian help unwind your mind and prepare you for a peaceful night’s sleep.
Keep things dark
Lights off, blinds closed and all devices turned off. If you need a helping hand to block out light (perhaps the street light beams through even when your blind is shut?) then cover your eyes with Lilysilk Silk Sleep Eye Mask. The silk is made of the same amino acids and proteins as the skin, helping it to maintain moisture.
Breathe
If sleep still doesn’t come after lying in bed for 20 or so minutes, turn your attention to your breath. The ‘4-7-8’ breathing technique should help calm your mind and take you to the land of dreams. Next time you’re staring at the ceiling, counting down the hours ‘till your alarm goes off, try this: inhale through your nose to a mental count of four, hold for a count of seven and exhale completely through your mouth to a count of eight. Repeat until you nod off. Zzzzzzz…
Pop some pills
Natural ones, of course! Qsilica Skin Regeneration BEAUTY SLEEP Tablets contain a heap of nutrients and herbal extracts, such as valerian, hops, chamomile and magnesium, which encourage a better, more restorative sleep. They also contain grapeseed and pine bark extracts to assist the natural skin regeneration process that occurs during sleep, and colloidal silica for supple skin, healthy hair and strong nails. I mean, how can you say no to a supplement that helps get you to sleep and makes you more beautiful?
Do you have trouble getting to sleep at night? What do you do when you can’t sleep?
I fall asleep easy! And at least 8 hours.