6 BEDTIME HABITS TO WAKE UP FEELING REFRESHED

This is the perfect sleep mask for traveling so I can easily adjust to different time zones and reduce the effects of jet lag.

DETAILS: CAMISOLE | BRALETTE | LOUNGE PANTS | SLEEP MASK

There’s nothing better than waking up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. Getting enough sleep is something I definitely struggle with. If you’re anything like me, your mind is constantly going and sometimes it’s really hard to unwind. In college, I would drive my roommates crazy at bedtime because I would talk to them about all of the things racing through my mind like assignments, to-do lists and relationships. aghhh! I discovered one thing that was legit life changing for me – a consistent bedtime routine to slow down my mind, clear my thoughts and relax before going to sleep. Since I’ve been sticking to these basic habits, my days are more productive and I have so much more energy throughout the day! If getting enough sleep is something you struggle with, here are some great tips that help me sleep more soundly!

1. Power-down hour. Raise your hand if you’re guilty of using your phone before you go to sleep at night. Yep, me too! I love social media so frickin much, but screen time can have a negative affect on our bods. Blue light from digital screens, smartphones, TVs and electronic devices send signals to the brain that it is still daytime and causes it to misinterpret whether we should be awake or asleep. This light also disrupts melatonin production, which is the sleep hormone that maintains our circadian rhythms or internal body clock. I’m not going to lie, the first few days of not using my phone before bed were difficult, but getting a more restful sleep is soooo worth it.
2. Turn off your devices. Ever fall asleep with your smartphone on your nightstand or even under your pillow? Sorry, Charlie. Not a great idea. Cell phones pump out electromagnetic radiation when they’re on – which means sleeping next to one boosts your exposure throughout the night. So what should you do? Put the phone on “airplane mode” (which shuts down the transceiver) or just turn it off completely. If you need to be available for calls at night, place the phone several feet away from your bed or keep it in another room while you sleep.
3. Calculate your bedtime. Yes… adults need a bedtime, too! A consistent bedtime helps keep your body on schedule, so it’s important to calculate how many hours you need. This includes weekends, my buds 😉 The average sleep cycle is 90 minutes long. A typical night of sleep includes 5 full sleep cycles. 90 x 5 = 450 minutes, or 7.5 hours. Starting at your wake time, work back 7.5 hours to find your ideal bedtime.
4. Clear your mind. To slow down those ping-ponging thoughts before I go to sleep at night, I keep a pen and paper on my bedside table and quickly write down anything that’s on my mind before I turn off the lights. This little life hack is also the perfect way to quickly write myself a note when I wake up in the middle of the night thinking about something.
5. Practice yoga, meditation and mindfulness. Practicing relaxation techniques can prepare your body and mind for rest. Yoga releases tension and stress accumulated in the body, meditation enhances melatonin levels and assists the brain in achieving a specific state where sleep is easily achieved, and mindfulness can help you maintain focus on the present moment so you worry less while falling asleep.
6. Wear conscious cozies. Raise your hand if you LOOOOVVVE picking out new pajamas! I’m an organic girl through and through, and bedtime is no exception! Super soft + hypoallergenic + 100% organic. YESSSSS ZAAAAAA! These are super comfy to lounge in and I also bought these cute drawstring ones for when I get up and do yoga. I’m also obsessed with this 100% organic sleep mask that blocks out unwanted light so you’ll get a better night’s rest and wake up without those annoying bags under your eyes!

ZZZZZZZ….

Is there anything you guys do differently? What does your bedtime routine look like? Let me know in the comments 🙂

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