Sleep can be elusive for many people, so here are a few nurturing ways to help you wind down at the end of the day.
Turn off the screens – watching TV, phone or computer screens before bed can be a little too energising to the brain sometimes, and make it hard to switch off. You could try reading a book, listening to some soft music or doing some crossword puzzles before bed.
Take a bath – a warm bath with some bubbles or high quality calming essential oils can chill out the body and the mind. If a bath isn’t your thing, you could try a hot shower with some oils on the floor (where you won’t slip of course). Always make sure you use high quality therapeutic grade essential oils, and especially when the will be soaking into your skin. If you aren't sure why this is important, you can download my free ebook here: The 6 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Essential Oils.
Chamomile tea or moon milk – there are a number of hot beverages you can drink before bed that have a calming effect on the body. Chamomile tea with some honey is always a classic, and Moon Milk is a combination of herbs that you mix with milk to help you nod off. Have a look at the supermarket or in your local health food shop for different options and for advice.
White noise – some people find having some soft white noise like beach sounds playing can be helpful. You could also try a sleep meditation to help you distract that racing mind of yours.
Heat packs and weighted blankets – something heavy and warm might be just what you need, so you could try a weighted blanket, a warm heat pack on the tummy or knees, or even an eye pillow to keep those eyes closed.
Massage – if you have a helpful partner, you might try a relaxing massage before bed. Try a massage oil with lavender, chamomile or orange to help calm those tense muscles of yours.
And finally – sometimes an inability to sleep is caused by your body trying to protect you from some non-existant threat. Your mind doesn’t know the difference between real and imagined danger, so you might need to work with a counsellor, psychologist or other practitioner to get to the bottom of that anxiety. Personally, I love the Eutaptics technique - you can check out how it works here: https://eutaptics.org/
Here is to living your best life – catch you next time!
Nessa xxxFollow me @nessalovell or #nessalovell
