Counting Sheep
A few things I have in my arsenal for better sleep
A good sleeper giving sleep tips I understand might be annoying at best.
For the most part, I have always been a good sleeper, as are my parents, so I may come by it naturally. Of course, I have bouts of not great sleep (some of which have lasted too long), but generally, I go to sleep easily, stay asleep easily and wake up well-rested and ready to go.
So take this all with that grain of salt, but I always like to know what works for others.
1. Eye Masks
I am relatively new to the eye mask game but I LOVE them. I would wear one on a plane occasionally or other one-off instances, but I was never a regular eye mask gal. As a child I hated anything on my face, freaked out being all the way under the covers and just always thought eye masks were a bit claustrophobic. But I was wrong. That little weight on your eyes and the extra dark - the kind that stays dark even when yours eyes blink and open a bit while getting situated - it’s so good. I may also now have a Pavlovian response to the sleep masks, which I don’t mind.
I’ve tried several over the years, but my favorite is a well-loved silk one that was in a welcome bag from a bachelorette weekend.
Here are a few others that I have seen recommended or know those who like them:
2. I say I am a good sleeper.
This is the only thing on the list that won’t have a link to a purchase or download, and I understand it might be absolutely most the irritating, but I honestly believe it helps. I say and believe that I am a good sleeper.
If we believe that our thoughts matter and the stories we tell ourselves become true in other areas of our life, why doesn’t it apply here?
Is it easier said than done, yes, but what’s the harm in trying?
Start with testing the thought of “I am a good sleeper.” If I constantly say I am a bad driver or have a bad memory or bad at sports, I generally can only get better to an extent, even if I’m trying. Who are we helping by saying that we are “bad sleepers?”
This also helps because it keeps me in the mindset that I am a good sleeper overall. So when I have a night (or nights) that I toss and turn or can’t fall asleep or wake-up and can’t get back to sleep, it helps me stay out of that spinning-head space that this lack of sleep will ruin my day and the next. So I had a bad night sleep perhaps, but I am not a bad sleeper and the next night will be better. And after a night of bad sleep, I try not to ruminate on it throughout the day, so I don’t go to bed with anxiety for another bad night.
I understand this feels ridiculous if you have chronic insomnia or other issues that keep sleep at bay, and maybe it’s not applicable then. But even when my life has felt totally away from me and sleep wasn’t any easier than anything else, I still always thought of my self as a good sleeper and I know it helped.
3. Body Scans and Meditations for Sleep
I first learned about and starting using Body Scans in 2015. It was a time when sleep (especially nighttime sleep) was difficult and elusive. I was listening to audiobooks with a sleep timer to try and help lull me to sleep and away from the racing thoughts in my head. During that time I was doing a workshop that had a large meditation component, and was introduced to body scans - which are essentially guided meditations moving you through your body which hopefully let’s you relax enough to get out of your head and fall asleep.
This Body Scan for Sleep is free, was my first favorite and still keep it at the ready. It can be accessed via UCLA Health Mindful Center and they also have an app.
Calm and Headspace are also great resources with several sleep meditations and body scans, as well as YouTube and/or any other place you like to find guided meditations.
4. Magnesium
I am not a “nighttime routine” kind of gal. I don’t have a 12-step skin care routine. I only started washing my face every night in the last decade (vs occasionally, whoops) once I realized an how easy adding in an evening shower was compared to that ridiculous birdbath business in the sink.
I say this because no, I don’t have cozy tea each night to wind down the evening. And so I don’t have magnesium every night either. But I when I bring it back in rotation, I love it! And think obviously why don’t I have this every night? And so I do, until I don’t.
Calm was the first brand I tried years ago, and I didn’t love the flavors originally, but looks like they have more to try now and it is easy to find and a good price.
I love MoonJuice Magnesi-Om. I had a sleepover with one of my oldest friend’s a month or two ago and she made us a mug before bed and I swore I woke up a new woman! I have been back on the Magnesium train since - and this brand in particular. I’m partial to the blue-lemon but the berry is good too.
I also have tried and quite enjoyed Perelel’s version.
5. Bed you want to get into
This is so highly subjective, one person’s favorites wouldn’t make another’s list.
For me this means a crisp white sheets, a light quilt, a heavy duvet and a cold room.
I am not partial to linen sheets, unless every day has a fresh and ironed set. And since that is not how my bed is made, I skip them. They are too soft for me after that first sleep.
This Oak House brought attention to Land’s End sheets on her popular house-remodel instagram. A friend actually gave me this intel a few years ago, saying “all her decorator friends swore by them.” I like them, especially the quality for the price compared to the luxury brands, but they get a ever-so-slightly squidgy for me, just a smidge soft after a few washes. I like that crisp ironed feel, without having to actually iron. I want them to stay super-tight at the feet.
My current favorites are actually organic cotton from Quince. They hold that bounce-a-quarter thing that I love.
And while I want my sheets crisp cotton, I like the juxtaposition of a linen duvet as much as the matching cotton set. But more importantly, this is the cozy layer, and a fluffy yet heavy duvet is a must. A few ways to navigate that beyond just buying a full, lush comforter is by upsizing the comforter to duvet if possible, i.e. king inside the queen cover, or just doubling up on the comforters inside the duvet.
Of course to make it all just right, open windows, assuming the weather allows.
6. Everything Else
Then there is the stuff I should do, but don’t. No screens at least an hour before bed. No phone in the bedroom. Etc., etc., etc.
If those things work for you, amazing. I wouldn’t know…
Happy sleep! Wishing everyone sweet dreams and well-rested wake-ups.
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