Life lately has been a bit more high-stress than most of us are used to. From the never ending chaotic news cycle to just the day to day stress of life being very different than our usual schedules – it’s a lot. For me, it’s made sleeping a bit more difficult too. Sure, I still keep my phone in the other room which is a BIG help. And can’t recommend that little change enough. But having a nice calming nighttime routine is also key for me for setting myself up for the best sleep.
How To Create A Calming Nighttime Routine For Better Sleep
A Calming Nighttime Routine
Coming up with a nightly routine can help to get you ready for bed and a night of more restful sleep. All things that are good for your overall wellbeing. You’ll feel more rested and wake up ready to take on the day. It’s also great for your mood. Preparing for sleep may seem like yet another chore, but if you struggle with getting to sleep or staying asleep, this may be the thing that helps your overall sleep health.
My evening routine is not usually consistent. Sometimes I’ll wash my face, sometimes I won’t, and sometimes I spend too much time on my phone before crawling into bed. Those few hours before bed are crucial to making sure you rest well. Sleep is so important to overall wellbeing that it can be so essential to have a consistent nighttime routine that’s calming and gets you ready for a good nights sleep. I’m aiming to be better and sharing some ways I plan on making this routine easier to stick to. There are a few things I do no matter what for my sleep routine like always having my sound machine and a silk eye mask. I can’t imagine sleeping without them now. Here are a few ways I’m elevating my nighttime routine for better sleep.
Take A Hot Shower Or Bath
I’m not a bath person (my bath isn’t even big enough for me to lounge in it) so a hot shower before bedtime can really get me excited for cozy pajamas and crawling into bed. Upgrading your bathroom essentials will also help make this a more enjoyable experience and less like a chore. Swapping those old raggety towels for something more lush and fluffy. And if you are a warm bath person, just dim the lights, listen to music, and relax. This will all set the tone for heading to bed.
the best towels!
I personally updated all my towels over the summer to the Casaluna organic bath towels and have been LOVING them. I have a mix of white and grey, and also use the hand towels and washcloths to wash my face with too. The quality is superior to the designer hotel inspired towels I had from college. Plus, they come in 8 colors so you can mix and match and coordinate with your personal style. One question I got often when I shared these on Instagram was if they’re absorbent; and they are!
Calming Scents
A calming scent in your bathroom or bedroom can also help to create the perfect setting for a good night’s sleep. Out of all the scents from the new Casaluna collection, I love the Clarity one. With notes of bergamot, grapefruit and ginger essential oils it gives off a fresh, crisp scent. I went a little crazy and bought the candle, room spray AND the oil diffuser. Anytime I walk through my bathroom it smells so good. Plus, it looks pretty on my shelves! And lighting a few candles when taking a bath is like heaven. Gah, how I wish I had a big soaking tub!
Read Before Bed
One of the best things you can do to prepare yourself for a good night sleep and get you tired, is to read a few hours before bedtime. Cozy up in a blanket and do a little reading before you call it a night. It can help get you a little sleepy which can help make you fall asleep faster. Plus, you’ll slowly chip away at reading all those great books! When reading before bed, it can be wise to swap to a dim light. And if you can find one that is a warm light versus a blue light, you’ll help circadian rhythms and less likely to shift your melatonin production. Which is a natural chemical we produce that tells us it’s time for bed. Blue light from a TV or phone, can trick your brain into thinking it’s not nighttime. This will also improve your sleep.
Use An Eyemask
To ensure you get a good nights sleep one of my BEST tips is to sleep with an eyemask. It helps to not only keep things blacked out, but it also keeps your eyes shut. I feel like when I roll over without an eye mask on, I’m more likely to open my eyes and keep them open. Look around for Pork, turn on the TV, and so on. The eyemask almost forces you to keep your eyes shut. To me this allows me to stay asleep so much better and lets me sleep in and get in a few more hours of sleep. Something I never could do before I discovered an eye mask. The Casaluna silk eye mask is so silky soft and comes in a few fun colors. A note on sizing for this eye mask, it runs a little small.
White Noise Machine
One of the most life-changing things I did for my sleep was when I added a white noise machine to my bedroom. I love it so much that I wrote a whole post on it here. If you like to sleep with a fan on, or have a significant other or pet who snores, this helps to tune it all out. This is especially nice as well if you live in a noisy city or apartment building.
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Photos by Hannah Lozano
