Anyone else have trouble sleeping at night?
Sometimes I seem to pass right out, with no question of anything other than sleep. I wake up with the sheets unmoved, pillows in place and in the exact same position I last remember.
Then there are the nights when I toss and turn, either can’t turn off my mind or where it just feels like sleep is a commodity I haven’t earned. My mind races with todos for the next day, what more I should have done that day, how I’m going to fit everything in to one 24 hour period.
Some nights I’d fall right asleep only to wake up 1, 2 or even 4 hours later wanting to get out of bed and continue the project I had been working on, or once again dreaming of that todo list, a situation from my day or something else entirely.
I started finding the sleepless nights coming more and more often. There had to be something I could do. As a believer in a mostly holistic lifestyle, it wasn’t going to be sleep meds that would “fix” the issue.
Here are the 3 things I’ve done to help my sleep:
1. Magnesium
I suggest starting with a small dose. I take Natural Calm and only do about 1/2-1 teaspoon every evening. Magnesium has the ability to “clear you out” if you catch my drift so definitely start with a small dose and go up from there, figuring out what is your body’s happy place.
I mix mine with warm water and sip it like tea about 30-45 minutes before I want to go to bed. It helps me start to relax and wind down both mentally and physically. Even if I’m still working on something, I know the time is limited and soon I will have to stop all work and go to bed.
2. Lavender Essential Oils
I have a small bottle of Lavender Aromatherapy lotion next to my bed. I rub it on my hands and then just lightly press my hands to my temples, taking a deep breath to really breathe in that lavender.
This bottle is almost empty, so after that I’ll go back to my original routine of putting a drop on my wrists, rubbing them together and then tabbing my temples. Note: it isn’t suggested to put most essential oils directly on your skin, so I would recommend mixing with a carrier (like lotion or coconut oil) first.
Another idea would be to get a diffuser and let it do it’s magic. While I don’t currently have one, I do hope to get one soon.
3. Bedrooms Aren’t For Working
This hasn’t always been an option for me (between RV living, time spent living back in my parent’s house or when my office was in a corner of my bedroom), but when I moved into my current apartment and was trying to decide where I wanted everything to go, I had my desk put in the living room. This has forced my work to happen outside of my bedroom, allowing that space to feel more relaxing and serene. There have been times I’m tempted to grab my laptop and work from bed, but I can usually talk myself out of it, remembering my chairs are more comfortable than sitting up in my bed anyway.
BONUS: Himalayan Salt Lamp
Honestly, I haven’t done this yet but it’s on my list (as in my birthday is a month away and I’m crossing my fingers, but it will happen soon regardless – ha). These lamps have SO many health benefits and improved sleep is just one of those things! I can’t wait to get one (or two) of these in my apartment and keep the good energy flowing.
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What are your top tips for getting a good night’s sleep?
Do you partake in any natural remedies for good sleep?
Great tips! When I have trouble sleeping I sprinkle lavender essential oil on my pillowcase when I go to bed, but I haven’t tried magnesium before. I just might have to try that out. Oh, and I got a salt lamp for Christmas, and I love it! You can read my post about it here if you want: http://www.heartfulhabits.com/salt-lamps-benefits-of-negative-ions/
Grace recently posted…What You Need to Know About the 7 Types of Plastic
Great tips! I must try these especially the lavender oils. I think it would be relaxing. I have been having sleepless nights lately.
These are such great tips, I love essential oils. I am guilt of working in the bedroom. I try not to but I always end up needing to do one more thing. Ah I’ll work on it. Thanks for sharing 🙂
p.s. love the title of your blog
Dia @ All The Things I Do recently posted…March 2016 Goals
I have heard a lot about those Himalayan salt lamps and I really am intrigued by them! let us know if you get one how you like it!
Moving work (and my television!) out of my bedroom was what made the biggest difference in my ability to sleep at night. I lost that when I moved in with my roommates, though – now I do everything sitting in my bed on my laptop (which isn’t great for numerous reasons!). Hopefully I’ll get back to having my own space soon.
This was a great post! I stumbled across your videos on YouTube and followed them here. Glad to have found it!
Michael Noker recently posted…Gallery: Stardust Skies Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico
I need to try lavender. I have such a hard time getting to sleep. Too much stress! I take melatonin quite often.
Christine @ The (mostly) Simple Life recently posted…February Goals Update + Monthly Pictures & Quotes
I’ve never tried melatonin but I’ve heard mixed reviews from others on it…I love magnesium though!
I’ll have to try that lavender–looks so relaxing! I’ve also heard great things about the salt lamps!
Heather @ Polyglot Jot recently posted…Monthly Must-Haves: February 2016
YES! Do it!
I’ll have to try that lavendar–looks so relaxing! I’ve also heard great things about the salt lamps!
Heather @ Polyglot Jot recently posted…Monthly Must-Haves: February 2016
I try soooo hard to never take my laptop in bed unless Im sick!
When we’re sick, it’s a whole different ball game 😉
I’ve always wondered if lavender actually works to help fall asleep at night! I should really try it 🙂
Do it! I love it to help me relax, whether that be before bed or when I’m stressed.
I have started taking melatonin on nights I can’t sleep. It’s a natural hormone but not sure it counts as a natural thing to do to induce sleep but it works! At least it helps me fall asleep but it doesn’t help me stay asleep.
Jill @ RunEatSnap recently posted…February Recap – Books I Read
Melatonin is natural, but I’ve heard mixed reviews similar to yours numerous times. I have never personally tried it as the magnesium seems to be a BIG help for me.
I’ve stopped doing work in my bedroom and it has helped me wonders! I’m currently looking into an essential oil diffuser, so hopefully that will even help me get a better night of sleep, too!
I really want a diffuser too!
Definitely going to have to try the lavender thing! I love essential oils, and lavender is one of my favorite scents. Thanks for the tips! 🙂
Cassie // The Brunette With a Blog recently posted…My February Obsessions
I do the same thing: lavender oil, magnesium and we have a salt lamp in our bedroom as well as one next to the TV. I believe in their power and love them dearly!
I can’t wait to get a salt lamp!
I want to try a salt lamp so BADLY! My boyfriend thinks its too “woo woo” for him XD
Laura @ laurasbestlife recently posted…March 2016 | Monthly Update
Tell him he doesn’t have to worry about it, it’s for you. Meanwhile, he’ll get the benefits anyway. 😉
It’s funny… I work from home and since we live in a small 1-BR, I figured it wouldn’t be a big deal to create an office space in the bedroom… I realized this is a HUGE mistake and I love that I keep the bedroom reserved for what’s it there for–sleep 🙂 Thanks for this, I haven’t tried that himalayan salt lamp yet, but have heard good things!
Charlotte recently posted…Why asking for help can save your relationship
I think we ALL need to get the salt lamp! 😉
i drink tea religiously every night before bed and it helps me unwind..additionally, clean sheets and well made bed helps me alot 🙂
dixya | food, pleasure, and health recently posted…Palak Tofu
I HAVE to make my bed every morning. Not just because clutter makes me anxious but because my bed feels SO much more comfortable when I’m climbing into a bed that isn’t a mess of sheets to sort.
I agree with the bedroom not being a workplace. So important! I use lavender bath and body works pillow mist and lotions! It makes a huge difference!
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I use lavender oil too! Definitely creates a calming atmosphere. I really want to try that “natural calm” out–added to my list! I also like to read before bed to calm my mind down.
Definitely try the calm! Plus it tastes really good! 😉
The artificial light emitted from our TV, smart phones and laptops disrupts the sleep hormones in our brain. Either put the screen down at least an hour before bed, or for the tech addicts amongst us, download f.lux onto your device; it makes the color of your computers display adapt to the time of the day, so reduces the harsh light at nighttime. Plus it is free.
https://justgetflux.com/
You’re so smart. 😉
Thanks for these tips! I have a scented pillow spray I use but am trying to get away from chemicals so these are perfect.
Heather @ Simply Save recently posted…February: What I Read
I need to try some of these. I have been trouble falling asleep some nights. I used to use an app on my phone with a sound of waves and I would be out but when I got a new phone I never downloaded it, and my husband hates it- it just keeps him awake.
Ashley recently posted…Stephenson Wedding {Getting Ready}
hahaha tell him to stop fighting it and just relax! 😉