It dawned on me this past weekend, when I was telling a story about taking hardcore sleeping pills during my study abroad in Costa Rica at age sixteen, that for as long as I can remember, I haven't been a great sleeper. It often takes me ages to even fall asleep, and once I'm asleep, I'll wake up at the slightest sound.
I do all the things right. I don't look at my phone or watch tv directly before bed, cutting down the whole blue-light factor. My bedroom is a loft, so there isn't a door, but I do my best to make the room as dark as possible. I even discovered a game-changing sleep mask that, for a while, was the sole reason I was sleeping like a baby for a short time. I don't really eat much before bed, I read to make myself drowsy. I feel like I do everything, and for the most part, I do okay. I'll fall asleep, sleep for about three hours or so, wake up, and then go back to bed for another four hours or so. That is, I'm getting sleep, it's just light sleep and I always wake up. Very rarely do I sleep straight through the night. It's just not quality sleep.
They say (whoever "they" are), that you want to aim for eight hours, and if you work out, an extra hour for every hour you work out. According to that logic, I should be getting nine hours at least. Maybe nine and half. Ha! I can't imagine what nine hours feels like. I operate on just over half that.
Recently, my sleep has been really bad. Last week, for example, I probably didn't get more than five or six hours per night. I've been a little sick, which has thrown things off, and I've got a lot on my plate - my stress levels are pretty high, which always negatively impact my sleep habits. I've used the following three things recently that have been really helpful and I thought I'd share them here today, for anyone else who is struggling to sleep well.
1. Mushroom Hot Cacao Mix - I wrinkled my nose at the idea of a mushroom drink, but you don't even taste them, and Reishi mushrooms have been known to promote sleep. Indeed, it seems like as soon as I start drinking this, my eyelids feel heavy.
Magnesium Lotion
2. Magnesium Lotion - We included this bottle of Ancient Minerals Magnesium Lotion in our latest Mantra Box® and I couldn't have been more pleased to include it. Years ago, I used a magnesium lotion right before bed and it put me out like a light. I'd forgotten all about the miracle that is magnesium lotion until I wandered into my office the other day and forgot I had this. I put it on my inner arms - opposite sides of my elbows - right before bed and I usually start to feel sleepy within fifteen minutes or so.
Lavender essential oil roll on
3. Essential Oil Roll-On - Whoever created roll-ons needs an award. The packaging makes for an easy thing to throw into my purse, being while traveling, or have on my nightstand, and lavender essential oil is so relaxing. I use it just under my nose and on my temples and wrists. The scent totally relaxes me, and promotes better sleep.
I'd love to hear what you do to get a good night's rest! If you have any tips, please leave them below in the comments section!