Good sleep is at an all-time low, especially in our fast-paced world where we are constantly stimulated. Having a solid wind-down routine is a crucial step toward falling asleep quicker and achieving better, deeper sleep. Romanticizing your sleep routine is the key to sticking with it. Luxuriating in a cozy routine you look forward to will help ensure it becomes a consistent habit. You’ll fall asleep faster and wake up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, setting you up for success in the day ahead. If you find yourself lying awake at night, staring at the ceiling, unable to fall asleep, try some of these tips to help you get the best sleep of your life!
Sip on the Viral Cherry Juice Mocktail
This drink went viral last year, and it still holds true. Tart cherries are naturally high in melatonin, which helps regulate sleep cycles. They also have anti-inflammatory benefits that can lower stress hormones, making it easier to fall asleep and contribute to a better overall quality of sleep. You can find tons of variations on this recipe online. I like to make mine with tart cherry juice from Trader Joe’s, a little bit of lime juice, some shaved ginger, and a sprig of rosemary. Others like to include a magnesium supplement or a probiotic, so feel free to experiment until you find what works for you. The key to romanticizing this mocktail is the glass. I like to put it in one of my coupe glasses with a rose-shaped ice cube.
Read Before Bed
If I could offer one of my biggest pieces of advice, it would be to try not to use screens while winding down. I know it’s hard to do. Trust me, I’m not perfect at this either, but I do notice that I sleep significantly better on nights when I don’t use my phone or watch TV. Instead of screens, having a good book that I’m excited to read on my bedside table helps me stay consistent with winding down screen-free. I love to keep a book on my nightstand right next to a cozy eye mask (Paper Source) to help me stay asleep when I need to sleep in, and this adorable oyster shell (Serena & Lily) I use to charge my Apple Watch. I love how Barnes & Noble displays employee recommendations on some of the books. This adds such a personal touch and really helps me find a book I can fall in love with.
Invest in Bedding that Makes You Feel Cozy
Nothing is more luxurious than getting into a beautiful bed at the end of the night. We spend so much of our lives sleeping, so why not find a great set of bedding that gets you excited about going to sleep? Investing in comfortable, cozy bedding that you love helps you feel excited about getting into bed and melting into beautiful, warm bedding (Anthropologie). I also love to add a cozy, colorful blanket, especially as the months get colder.
Select a Matching Sleepwear Set
I’m in my rich aunt era, and nothing makes me feel more like a rich aunt than a matching PJ set. Serena & Lily have amazing options for comfortable, luxurious sleep sets and bathrobes that are perfect for romanticizing your wind-down routine. The fabrics feel so soft and cozy, so you will look and feel great! Add cute slippers and cozy socks, and you’re good to go! The key is finding something you look forward to putting on when you get home.
Find 15 Minutes a Day to Journal or Meditate
I call it a brain dump. I like to write all of my thoughts down into a journal first thing when I wake up. You may be wondering what this has to do with my sleep at night. Even when I write in the morning, I can tell I fall asleep more quickly than I would if I didn’t journal. When I write down all my thoughts on paper, it gets them off my brain. I find I’m not lying awake with my mind racing because I’ve already written it down. This seems like a small thing, but I really notice it on days I don’t get to journal. I love this embroidered cat journal (Paper Source)! The embroidery is such a cute little detail, and I look forward to writing in it every day. Having beautiful pens also adds whimsy to the experience.
Indulge in a Bath
Studies show that taking a warm bath or shower before bed helps you fall asleep faster. The towels from Anthropologie are so luxurious and soft. They have a variety of bathroom hardware that will enhance your experience even further. The Anthropologie at Bethesda Row recently updated its third floor into a beautiful showroom that really helps paint the picture of what their home finds will look like in a livable space. I was easily able to order the stunningly chic Maude Towel Bar in-store, and it shipped straight to my house. The order took about a week to arrive, and it was really easy to install. Having these beautiful pieces in my bathroom really enhances the experience and makes me feel so chic when I use them!
