How to Get the Most Out of Your Sleep

March 13, 2018

Isn't it true that everyone has been exhausted at different points of their lives? For how much time we spend unconscious, you'd think we'd all know how to get the most of it!

First, let's talk about getting ready to go to bed.

Wind down - It's recommended that you stop using electronics at least an hour before you go to bed. Instead of drifting off to the clutter of your phone and social media, meditate, take a bath, or read a book to help you wind down.
Stick to a Sleep Schedule - Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, even on weekends, holidays, and days off. Being consistent reinforces your body's sleep-wake cycle and helps promote better sleep at night.
Pay Attention to What you Eat & Drink - Don't go to bed either hungry or stuffed. Your discomfort might keep you up. Also limit how much you drink before bed, to prevent disruptive middle-of-the-night trips to the toilet.
Create a Bedtime Ritual - Do the same things each night to tell your body it's time to wind down. This might include taking a warm bath or shower, reading a book, or listening to soothing music — preferably with the lights dimmed. Relaxing activities can promote better sleep by easing the transition between wakefulness and drowsiness.

Something else to keep in mind, it's best (if you can help it) to only be in your bed when you're going to sleep. When you do work or watch TV (or anything where you're staying awake) while you're in bed, you change the energy feeling of your bed, and mess with the sort of "on/off switch" a bedtime routine is supposed to create.

More about your sleep space:

Get Comfortable - Create a room that's ideal for sleeping. Often, this means cool, dark, and quiet. Consider using room-darkening shades, earplugs, a fan, or other devices to create an environment that suits your needs.
Use Scents - Consider using a particular scent that calms you down before you go to bed. This could be a lavender essential oil, a vanilla candle, or a mixed Dream Spray. Any smell that soothes you, and adds to your "off" routine.

Add components for good sleep:

Dreamcatchers have been used for centuries, said to contain nightmares and give you peaceful sleep. Get more info on them here.
Crystals are known to soothe the energy around you; they are often used to reduce stress before bed, encourage good dreams, and heal your mind and body while you rest. Some we recommend are Rainbow Fluorite, Rose Quartz, and Malachite, which each have calming and healing properties.