Quick, tell me what makes you look younger, have less sugar cravings, more energy and makes you happier?
Answer: a good night's sleep.
When you consistently give yourself enough sleep your brain and body heal in extraordinary ways.
Ever notice after a late night your skin has more wrinkles?
It’s because lack of sleep saps the moisture from your skin, making those fine lines more noticeable, while getting more sleep creates more collagen that plumps up the skin.
Getting your beauty sleep is no joke!
Multiple studies have also shown the connection between sleep and weight gain.
Which makes sense since when you’re tired you crave more calories… usually the junk food kind.
People who don’t get enough sleep are also more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression, while those who get more sleep are calmer, happier humans.
But getting more sleep isn’t easy for most of us.
Maybe you battle insomnia, wake up and can’t get back to bed or are getting up to use the bathroom.
Whatever it is, you can follow these tips to start getting the best sleep ever.
How to get the Best Sleep Ever:
Reset your internal clock
Aim to go to bed when the sun goes down (between 7-10 pm) and get up when the sun comes up (5-8 am). You should get roughly eight hours of sleep a night.
Screen time
Limit screen time one hour before bed. Start dimming the lights in your home to simulate natural light.
Magnesium
Stress can deplete your magnesium, which helps your muscles relax and is essential to getting a good night sleep. Try eating more magnesium rich foods like dark leafy greens, nuts, seeds and wild caught fish. Before bed you can also try taking between 200-400 milligrams of magnesium. If you are prone to digestive issues, stick with a lower dose.
Essential Oils
At bedtime, place 2-3 drops of wild orange and/or lavender essential oil into an electric diffuser. You can also rub a few drops on the bottom of your feet and cover with socks. Another oil blend I like is PastTense. The smell is a bit stronger, so it’s not for everyone. I roll it behind my ears and the back of my neck. I’ll reapply it if I wake in the middle of the night and it puts me right back to sleep.
Coffee and alcohol
If you drink coffee, limit it to the morning. Even drinking in the afternoon can keep you awake at night.
If you're waking up to use the bathroom, resist drinking any liquids an hour before bed. Instead, hydrate earlier in the day.
Even if you’re not going to the bathroom at night, liquids before bed can make your stomach feel full and it difficult to sleep.
You might feel a glass of wine or a quick drink relaxes you but alcohol does not make for a good night sleep. It might make you tired but it actually reduces the quality of your sleep. Skip it and get a great night's sleep instead.