About a month ago I really struggled to get a good nights sleep. I tossed and turned all night with thoughts racing through my mind like a Formula1 track. As a bit of a background I have never struggled with my sleep. I was that person that could lay their head down and fall asleep straight away. It’s not until I’ve been getting older and more life stresses have happened that my sleep has been affected.
Not being able to sleep is really horrible. It can really affect your mental health and your mood. It’s quite dangerous too, it can cause some really scary thoughts and ideas as you are lay awake during the early hours. I really feel for people who go through this constantly.
Thankfully from the steps I am going to share today I have been able to overcome the sleepless nights and have had good rest for a month or so now. [Praise the Lord!]
SLEEPY BALM
As soon as the sleepless nights started I knew I needed try a natural approach. So I headed to my local Lush store (when they were actually open) and purchased some of their sleepy balm. It is a game changer! I have used it before and it helped so much, but was a bit weary of trying again. Purely for the fact I didn’t want to rely on it to be able to sleep.
Thankfully, after using it for a week and putting into place the other points I’ll mention, it really helped. I now don’t use it at all and sleep soundly. There are so many other brands you can try. Essential oils are great for this too, lavender is one of the best oils to use when you are having trouble sleeping.
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NO ELECTRONICS BEFORE BED
Something that I am not proud to admit is that I used to be in a serious bedtime relationship with my phone. I used to sleep with it right next to me, and it would be the last thing I did before sleeping and the first thing I’d do when I woke up. Its really not healthy at all to be that addicted to your electronics.
I now have a rule and limit the amount of time spent on my phone to at least an hour before sleeping. This means moving my phone away from me and not touching it again until morning. Doing this alone has helped me so much in sleeping better. There is research out there that supports this, and it says you shouldn’t use any electronics at all before bed.
A ROUTINE
It takes 30 days to create a habit, and thats exactly what I have done. In order for me to get a good nights sleep, I made sure to create a routine for myself. I have my bath or shower around the same time every night and make sure that I am in bed and sleeping around the same time every night too. Our brains and bodies like routine, and doing this has helped me to get sleepy earlier.
When I first started I did have to train my body to do it. I had to sleep later and wake up earlier for me to be sleepy earlier the next night. I used to do this to make sure I was tired and would sleep on Christmas Eve! Eventually this method worked!
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A COMFY BED
This might sound obvious but a comfy bed is important for a good sleep. Is there any better feeling than having a lovely, comfy bed to get into everyday? I mean, I know it makes it harder to leave in the morning. But at least it gives us something to look forward to at the end of the day.
Invest in a good mattress and pillows to ensure you’re getting the maximum comfort when trying to sleep. I noticed when I was going through my bad sleep patch that my pillows and bed wasn’t as comfy as I’d like. So I’m currently looking into changing my mattress. I know they can be expensive, but once you have a good one it should last 10+ years!
Do you struggle to get a good nights sleep?
What things do you do, to help with that?
I am so thankful that I can write about this and its a stage in life thats passed. Not being able to sleep really can feel isolating. I had so many nights where I dreaded going to sleep. It wasn’t a good mindset to get into, and I am thankful I am not longer in it!
Olivia x
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I think one of the most important things is a good night’s sleep. Thank you for the tips, Olivia
I agree!
Thank you for the tips ☺️ I’ve used lavender oil in the past as well
I love using lavender oil too 😀
I use it in my diffuser as well.. I think it has quickly become my favourite scent
I have a diffuser and I’m in love with it <3
So can’t live without mine now ❤️
Lavender oil really is the best for sleep!
My sleep quality greatly improved when I created a routine that included eating a few hours before sleep, almost consistent bed time, 5 min quiet session among many other small details and a comfy bed is a definite plus. Thanks for sharing
Thats about the same as what I did too!
Spot on!
Thanks!
Sleep is my nemesis. I have started doing 10 minutes of mindfulness with the Calm app before bed and it seems to help. Lush doesn’t sell the Sleepy balm in Canada but they do have a sleep massage bar that I will try.
Oh no, that sucks! It really worked for me! Im sure there are alternatives out there you can try. Theres nothing worse than not being able to sleep!
Lately, something different has been happening when I go to sleep. I dread it. I dream too much. And the dreams are long, stressful and draining – not quite nightmares, but I wake up feeling just… bad. I feel like when I under slept I dreamt less (maybe there’s such a thing like too tired to dream?) so actually stayed up until 5 a.m. the other night and slept less than 4 hours, and felt so much better the day after. No dreams. So frustrating! Is there anything for not dreaming?
Pls use Black seeds powder get it in any super market.it good for sleep and put some in fire to take care of bad spirits that causes prolonged dreams I
I went through that phase of dreading sleep and it can really take a toll on your Mental health. Sorry I cant provide advice for not dreaming. But I know that when I wasn’t sleeping properly I didn’t dream for like 2 weeks. And thats when I know I didn’t have a deep sleep
I think that’s it. Sometimes I feel more well rested after sleeping less and not dreaming than a full 8-hour sleep full of dreams. Thank you for sharing.
I go to bed around the same time every night. If I can’t turn off my thoughts, I focus on my breathing.
Yes me too!
Spot on. I routine, decent bedtime and exercising has made a huge difference to my sleep
Thats awesome!
Trying so hard to get into some sort of routine before bed. This Lock down has really changed routine into a form of limbo…. Thanks for the tips ❤️
Its funny because this lockdown did the same to me. I had a routine before covid, then got out of the routine and now I have forced myself back into one!
Well… practice makes perfect goodnight sleep 8hrs maximum
yep!
I love this blog, this could go on forever in such a positive way, any 1st picks on mattresses?
White sheets, and I Feng Shui my bedroom and what a difference🤍
Thank you so much! I have no idea what mattress I want to buy yet! Any advice would be helpful
So glad you were able to overcome this and find ways to deal with it! Sleep is super important!
It really is!
This is probably the worst advice, but antihistamines do a lovely job 😅
Hahahah Shelly, only you could comment this 🤣
I used to suffer from insomnia a few years back. What I did was turn off the wifi and went to bed at 9 pm. I simply closed my eyes until I dozed off. Never easy when my brain was all active and functioning and my social media was a lot tempting. It took me a year to master the routine. Now, at 10pm, I am already in dreamland. It helps a lot with digestion, fresher mornings, less irritability, good skin, etc.
That sounds awesome! So glad you were able to overcome that and get yourself into a better routine!
These are great points. I find having a routine is a great way to signal your mind to prepare for sleep. I also enjoying reading a physical book on nights when my mind is too stimulated for sleep, doing a gentle stretch or a sleep meditation.
You’re right! They say it takes 30 days to create a routine!
These are some great tips. I really love a good pillow spray to help me feel relaxed, and recently I’ve been using a weighted blanket which I feel like has helped me sleep a lot easier than I used to. I also love reading before bed as I feel like it makes me tired 🙂
Oh that sounds awesome! I should try one of those blankets!
I agree that a comfy bed is essential
Electronics — it’s become a ritual for me to use my phone/Instagram before going to sleep, or I read a e-book. I know it’s horrible for my eyes and not the best habit though…
Thanks for sharing your tips, as someone that insomnia affects from time to time I can relate to the troubles of not being able to sleep and the madness of thoughts racing through your mind in the early hours. Glad you found a routine that has helped you.
I have recently had a few nights without good sleep, laying awake worrying about things. It’s rubbish! It’s so hard to lay awake and not turn to your phone for something to do as a distraction. I did try this the other night, but found my thoughts ran away with me! Any advice on what to do to avoid reaching for your phone when the sleeplessness hits? Thanks! 😌
I leave my phone at the end of my bed instead of my night stand. Its alot more effort to get up to go in it, than to reach over. I’d suggest leaving it in another room, or if you need it for your alarm the next day, put it in a drawer away from you. Somewhere that makes it more of an effort for you to get up and get it. Or if you can, turn it off!
The important thing is really to keep any electronics away before
Thank you for this post 👍🏻👍🏻
I’ve been struggling to sleep the last few weeks too! I think having a comfy bed and good quality bedding is so important! Sometimes spraying lavender on your pillow or burning a lavender candle before bed helps too!