Well we're officially less than one week away from Christmas which means that I'm sure many of us have been a little extra stressed and tired over these past few weeks. Getting enough sleep is SO important for so many reasons so when we don't get enough of it, it affects our mood and our health among other things. So, today I thought I'd share a few of the tips that help me fall asleep. And this is coming from a chronic 'lay awake at night staring at the ceiling unable to fall asleep' kind of girl so you know they're gonna work!
This one's pretty simple and a little bit obvious but as an interior decorator it still shocks me how often I come across bedrooms that are not at all calming and relaxing. Sure, red may be your favourite color but is it going to encourage a relaxing environment for sleep? Probably not. So, take into consideration using soft colors, a light palette and calming features in your room to create a space that makes you want to curl up and fall asleep.
This tip might sound a little bit silly but for me it definitely helps. I love to drink a warm cup of herbal tea before bed. The tea makes me warm and relaxed and there are even teas that can help encourage sleep. To be honest though this tip is less about the tea and more about the routine. Take a few minutes before crawling into bed to relax, step away from the television and computer and slow down. A simple routine can make a big impact when working on new habits such as a better bedtime routine.
Obviously if you have a terrible mattress, chances are you'll have a terrible sleep and is there anything worse than a terrible sleep? I don't think so! We have this mattress from The Brick and it's so comfortable. Mattresses should be replaced every 5-10 years depending on wear, quality and how you're sleeping so if you find you're waking up sore and tired, maybe it's time to look under the covers and see if you need to replace your mattress.
My last tip actually comes in the form of an app. Calm is an app that I've recently discovered and I love it! It offers free guided meditations, great background noise and a few 'bedtime stories' which are specifically made to help you fall asleep. For me I like to have some noise in the background to distract my busy mind to help me fall asleep and this app is perfect. I highly recommend trying it out!
What are some of your sleep tips? Have you ever used an app to help you fall asleep? I'd love to know what you do to get the best night's sleep!