by BR Kellie
It's no secret how important a good sleep is for our mental health, let alone how it can improve the way we look. But getting a good sleep isn't always as easy as putting on our pjs, lying down, closing our eyes and checking out for the day. (If only it was!) So what's the art of getting your best beauty sleep ever? Read on...
Get Prepped
Good sleep starts well before it's time for bed. The first thing you can do? Create and stick to a bedtime routine - which simply means going to bed and getting up at the same time each day. Yes, even on the weekends. This can take a bit of trial and error as you figure out how many hours sleep work best for you, but once you've got it sorted you'll find a good sleep comes easier.
Next... Avoid stimulants before bed. So no caffeine at least four hours before you hit the hay (note: this includes chocolate. One piece of dark chocolate before bed and I'm awake for hoooooours), and it's a good idea to do away with or minimise alcohol. Alcohol works as a depressant, so while it might see you off to sleep easily enough, it can also see you waking in the middle of the night once the body becomes alert after processing the alcohol, which not only wakes you up but also interupts the all important REM sleep.
An hour before you go to bed set aside your screen. The blue light that tablets, computers and mobile screens emit serve to hinder the release of melatonin, which we need in order to have a better sleep. Not only that, feeding your brain all that information just before bed only stimulates it, when what you want to do is settle it.
Exercise during the day can promote a better sleep, but exercising immediately before sleep can make getting to sleep harder, so try and do your calisthenics at least an hour before you head to bed.
Set the Scene
Take a warm shower or bath and keep your room cool. The rapid reduction in body heat helps to trigger your body's sleep response.
We love a good oil here at Beauty Review, and that includes oils like lavender and peppermint that can help send us off to the Land of Nod. Spritz the scent on your pillow, or use a diffuser, and let the soothing aromas work their magic.
Lastly turn the lights down low (off is better), cover any random lights from electronics that are plugged in, remove anything that makes random noises, and snuggle down.
Need a Little Extra Help?
I swear by a yoga nidra meditation when I really can't get myself to nod off. This is my favourite one - but you'll want to use an ad blocker or skip through to the end to avoid the ad in the middle of it that pulls you out of the meditation. (I don't know what genius thought that was a good idea placing an ad there, but at least there's a way to get around it, and even if it does go off it doesn't seem to stop the meditation working its magic.)
If meditation's not your thing, journaling is another way to help empty your brain of the thoughts that are whirling around your head keeping you awake.
Alternatively you can try listening to relaxing music or white noise, or pick up a good old fashion book (or a Kindle Paperwhite) and read until you start to feel drowsy.
Bonus Points for...
Want to go over and above for your best beauty sleep ever? Now's the time to slather moisturiser onto your feet and hands, pop on some socks and mittens/gloves, and give them a deeply nourishing treatment. Add a lip and face sleeping mask, and you'll wake up not only feeling rested, but also extra glowy and hydrated.
So, are you looking to get a better beauty sleep? Or is your sleep sorted? What are your top tips for getting your zzz's? Sharing is caring, so chat below!
The good old reading a book before going to sleep works really well for me.