Beauty rest is real, ladies.
But are any of us actually getting enough of it? It’s especially difficult in the summertime when schedules are crazy and vacations throw you off. (No bed is ever as good as YOUR bed, right?)
Well, we can’t overstate the value of consistently getting enough sleep — not just for your vanity, but for your overall health. So, if you’re struggling to catch those precious zzzz’s, follow these 10 tips below and get ready for a total transformation. (Don’t forget the comfy pj’s!)
Keep a gratitude journal by your bedside
By now, you’ve for sure heard about the popular (and every effective) practice of gratitude journaling. But have you ever thought of it as a way to help you sleep better? It’s true! Think about it — what keeps you up at night? (Literally?) Sometimes the reason you lose sleep is because you can’t turn off all those nagging worries in your brain. Well, gratitude is the perfect antidote for that. It’s impossible to feel fear and gratitude simultaneously. Try it!
If you’re feeling restless, whip out a little journal, jot down everything you’re grateful for from that day and ruminate on that while you slip off to some sweet dreams.
Swap your screen for a book
Since pretty much every study ever confirms that that nasty blue light from your phone, computer, or TV keeps your brain on high alert, it’s probably a good idea to follow the experts’ advice and ditch the screens when you’re getting ready for bed. Better yet, instead of scrolling through social media right before you snooze, crack open a good book. (Just skip the true crime and horror novels unless you’re aiming for the opposite effect.)
Try a sleep story
Don’t like to read? Try a sleep story instead! (Don’t we all wish someone would read us a good book before bed like they used to when we were kids?)
If you struggle to fall asleep at night because of racing thoughts, not feeling tired, or some other distraction/issue, a sleep story could help, and there are plenty of good ones out there. The Calm app has a whole section devoted to sleep, including sleep stories read by names you’ll recognize. (Honestly, who wouldn’t want Matthew McConaughey’s voice softly lulling them to sleep?)
Pro tip: if you have AirPods and you’re a side sleeper, pop one in your ear while you drift off.
Skip the caffeine
If you rolled your eyes at this one, we get it. Everyone and their dog knows it’s a bad idea to consume caffeine or other stimulants before bedtime. But here’s where you can take this one step further. Don’t just get rid of the caffeine; replace it with something better! Brig’s bedtime drink of choice is Perk Chill. These drinks help you relax, recharge, and recover while improving your quality of sleep. And as a huge bonus, they’re completely delicious.
Grab your Mint Chocolate, Salted Caramel Pretzel, or whatever flavor you like best, and see what a difference it can make!
Be consistent with bedtime
Remember how you had your kids on a strict bedtime when they were little? Well, toddlers aren’t the only ones who can benefit from having a set time to rest and wake up. A consistent sleep-wake time can help fight that dreaded insomnia. The tricky part? Resist the urge to sleep in or stay up late on the weekends. You can make exceptions for a vacation, but do your best to get back on your routine as soon as you get home!
Have a bedtime routine
Going along with the last one, have you ever considered having your own special bedtime routine at night? Again, the kids probably had something to help them wind down, right? Maybe a bedtime bath, story, song, etc. Why not create something like that for yourself? And make it something you look forward to. Knowing you’re about to take a nice soak with your favorite bath bombs, dive into a relaxing book, or sip some of that Perk Chill will make you more likely to stick to your routine.
Just don’t wait until you’re utterly exhausted to start the wind down. Begin your routine before you’re tired to give it a chance to work its magic!
Get exercise during the day — preferably in the sunlight
Aside from helping you to shed a few pounds or strengthen those muscles, exercise may be the key ingredient to helping you sleep better. Research shows that moderate aerobic exercise during the day helps you fall into a deeper sleep at night. And since sunlight exposure also improves sleep, try doing your exercise outdoors if you can. Just be careful not to exercise too late in the day — this might keep you awake.
Earplugs
Okay, here’s a genius, game-changing hack for all you ladies out there with a husband who snores like a chainsaw: earplugs. Seriously, if you haven’t tried it by now, you don’t know what you’re missing. Hide these babies in your pillowcase (especially if you’re worried about offending the hubby) and pull them out once the snoring starts. You’ll never be the same.
Try this breathing trick
They say when you’re upset, you should take a deep breath. Well, the same holds true for when you’re trying to fall asleep. The 4-7-8 Breathing Technique is an easy way to get your body to fully relax. This is how it works, according to Healthline:
- First, let your lips part. Make a whooshing sound, exhaling completely through your mouth.
- Next, close your lips, inhaling silently through your nose as you count to four in your head.
- Then, for seven seconds, hold your breath. Make another whooshing exhale from your mouth for eight seconds.
Repeat this pattern four times. (You can work your way up to eight times once you get the hang of it.)
Get yourself a pair of comfy pj’s!
Maybe the best part (it’s definitely the best part) about getting a good night’s rest is finding the perfect set of pj’s to drift away to Dreamland in. We can help you out with that one! Try the Brigitte Brianna Heavenly PJ Set, or pair the PJ Dream Pant with the PJ Ruffle Tee and you’ll be dozing off in style. The only real problem is that you might never want to take them off…
What are your tips for better sleep?
Hopefully, after trying one or more of these tricks, you’ll be sleeping like a baby in no time.
Now it’s your turn — What are YOUR tips and tricks for better sleep?