Tips For Putting Insomnia To Bed

Sleep is critical for growth and renewal of all body systems, including the skin. A deprivation of sleep can significantly affect our beauty so we want to ensure we are getting our beauty sleep.

My key tips for achieving a perfect night’s sleep, aside from a beautiful cup of sleeping tea include:

1. Essential Oil Bath Bliss: A few drops of Roman Chamomile, French Lavender and Geranium Rose oils make for a luxurious bath soaking experience along with some Epsom salts which will help you release the stress of the day and soothe your tense muscles. If bathing is not your preferred relaxation option, take a few minutes when you climb into bed to massage a few drops of these essential oils into the soles of your feet, your skin, and your hands. Or better still, place a handkerchief or tissue under your bed with a drop of each oil and place it under your pillow. Do not place the oils directly on your sheets or pillowcases as they will stain!
2. Magic Maca: Maca powder is one of my favourite ingredients for a warm relaxing drink at night. Maca has been used medicinally for centuries in South America and is known as an adaptogen. Combine a tablespoon of maca with a tablespoon of carob powder and some warm almond milk as an alternative to hot chocolate. Maca has the added benefit of being a fertility tonic so it may kill two birds with one stone!
3. Meditation and Relaxation: Listening to relaxing music or a guided meditation often works well to assist calm the body and mind. Experiment with different apps and mediations to see which one works for you. Holosync meditation is one type I find effective in that it assists in the reduction of anxiety and balancing your emotional state.
4. Not to Be Dismissed: It does go without saying that avoiding afternoon caffeine hits, large meals and exercise before sleep and keeping away electronic objects are crucial strategies to ensure a restful sleep.
5. Should All Else Fail, Count Waterfalls….Not Sheep. According to an experiment conducted by researchers at Oxford University, counting sheep is actually an inferior means of inducing sleep. Subjects who instead imagined a beach or waterfall were forced to expend more mental energy and fell asleep faster than those asked to simply count sheep.