Life is moving faster than ever before. Help make your days feel more meaningful by adding some grateful reflection to your sleep self-care routine.
Lately, I’ve been feeling very nostalgic. I’m not sure what is trigging it. Maybe, as a well-known social butterfly, living the life of an introvert these past several months is taking its toll, or it’s simply the uncertainly of life in general testing my resiliency. Regardless the cause of my nostalgia, I’ve found a great source of comfort and happiness though the memories. Of course these memories wouldn’t be possible without the special people I share them with. Remembering them has given me a deep sense of gratitude, perspective and appreciation for the relationships in my life, and has helped me feel less stressed and able to refocus and celebrate my past, present and future journey.
In 2020, we have learned many things. One of those things, is that it can be very difficult to fall asleep some nights. Everything about our lives have changed, and this has brought on many new concerns. Many of us lie awake at night with the same worries. Am I a good parent? How do I keep my family happy? How do I become the best I can be at my job? What will the future hold? We are all under more stress than usual, and this can often translate over into our sleep health.
If you are thinking this describes how you have been feeling, I have some advice for you!
To help balance out all the worries and stressors of adulthood, I encourage you to add some grateful reflection to your sleep self-care routine, as well as these easy tips to make you feel more relaxed, so you fall asleep faster:
Make your bed every day - There is something so calming about a neat bed that welcomes you at night. By making your bed each morning, you are already accomplishing the day’s first task. Whether you’ve had the best day ever, or your day feels hectic and stressful, you have a clean, neat bed waiting to take the wheel and help you relax.
Reflect on the positives of the day - Bring those positive memories to the surface. One is all you need, but I’m sure you’ll find many more after you start. Falling asleep with positive thoughts refills my cup of life, revitalizes and sets the stage for me to find through sleep, the energy and capacity to give more to myself and others.
Master your lighting preferences - Time to unplug and unwind! You know what that means – phones away! Studies show blue light from smartphones interferes with our body’s ability to produce melatonin, and therefore makes it more difficult to get a quality night’s rest. Turn off the phone, turn off the TV, and maybe pick up a good book instead. In addition to lights from a phone or TV, the general lighting in your room can make a huge difference on your sleep pattern. Take the time to make sure your room is dark, and any pieces of ambient lighting from a TV or lamp are hidden. Even if you do not have trouble falling asleep with a light or two on, your psyche can still sense that little bit of light, and therefore makes an impact on your quality of sleep! The best sleep environment you can create for yourself is a cool and dark one, free of technology distractions.
Keep a journal on your night stand - Instead of scrolling through Instagram or catching up on the latest Netflix series, try substituting technology for some journaling. Keep a pen and paper nearby to get some thoughts down before bed. If you are a career-oriented person, maybe jot down some ideas that you had throughout the day so you are prepared to tackle your dreams the next morning. Take this time to get in touch with your creative side. Rather than lying in bed thinking about all of your worries or all the things on your to-do list, writing about your day and getting your thoughts down on paper can help to ease your mind tremendously. This habit can be very therapeutic and will leave your mind clear, relaxed, and focused, prepared for a quality night of rest.
Snuggle up in a favorite comforter - Wrapping up in a fluffy comforter makes you feel amazing. I highly recommend the Pottery Barn SleepSmart Comforter with FreshZone comfort. The fibers work overtime throughout the night to provide you with odor-eliminating and temperature-regulating comfort. Not to mention it is extra soft and fluffy which makes falling asleep at night that much easier!
Whatever you decide to implement into your bedtime rituals, make sure you do it each night. Establishing a regular routine can be one of the easiest ways to feel as though you have control over your life, and relieve some of your stress. A regular routine can calm your body and improve your physical and mental wellbeing, translating into a great night of rest. Make sure to include in this routine some time to pat yourself on the back, and congratulate yourself for the day’s accomplishments. Find the joys in each day and don’t forget to appreciate them!
About Inventive Sleep, Inc.
Inventive Sleep is dedicated to helping people realize their dreams and goals starting with a great night’s sleep. Its founder, Sleep Products Innovator Tracy Laskowski Miller, is one of the most engaging and creative sleep wellness product inventors in the industry today. She is known for her unique perspective on sleep materials research to create and help people find their favorite bedding products. With more than two million sold since 2006, her engaging brands and sleep solutions are in homes and hotels across the country. The company is a leader in designing, inventing and marketing innovative combinations of comfort and technology to create sleep products and brands including sheets, pillows, comforters, blankets and mattress pads. For more information visit www.inventivesleep.com Sleep Tonight. Create Tomorrow.™