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Sleep, But Make it Restful
30
items Sleep and I had a very long, very dysfunctional relationship. For more than 35 years, falling asleep meant lying in bed for hours while my brain enthusiastically replayed every awkward moment of my life, and nighttime anxiety was a regular visitor. M...
Sections
5
My Nightly Ritual
My Body
My Pajamas
My Bed
My Room
My Nightly Ritual
Good sleep starts with the small signals you send your brain that the day is winding down. Part of it is practical because winter skin is a thing, but it’s also a cue to my brain that the day is officially over. Laptop closed, lights dimmed, brain of...
I buy it out when I see it, its the BEST!
Vaseline Creme Brulee Cutie Lip Balm - .25oz
If I run out of my creme brulee stash, I will accept cocoa butter.
Vaseline Lip Therapy Mini Lip Balm - Cocoa Butter - Travel Size - 0.25oz: Aluminum-Free, Paraben-Free, Phthalate-Free
I put this on my cuticles every night.
0.5 oz Solar Oil Nail and Cuticle Conditioner - CND | Ulta Beauty
I love this, it soaks in and smells IN-CRED-IBLE.
Fragrance Originale Hand Cream - Moroccanoil | Ulta Beauty
My Body
All the things that help my body settle down enough to actually sleep. Together they help shift my brain out of its natural state of “let’s catastrophize about everything that has ever happened” and into something closer to rest.
I'm convinced that most women are magnesium deficient, because it works for everything. In my case it helps with sleep, but using magnesium citrate also keeps my GI system moving!
Magnesium Citrate Dietary Supplements - 250mg Softgels - 60ct - up&up™
If I don't need the GI action from magnesium citrate, I swap it out for magnesium glycinate to still gain the sleep benefits.
Magnesium Glycinate Dietary Supplements - 200mg Capsule - 60ct - up&up™
Allegedly this is non-sedating, but I take it at night just in case! I use it for chronic urticaria, because clawing your skin off in your sleep is not restful.
Cetirizine Hydrochloride Allergy Relief Tablets - 180ct - up&up™: Contains Antihistamine, 10mg Strength
I'm still not convinced about mouth tape, but I'm using it until the evidence fully disproves benefits. This one doesn't leave sticky residue on my face!
Vitamasques Mouth Sleep Tape - 30ct
Being totally real, a huge part of my sleep journey has been my mental health. Dealing with my overall anxiety level, therefore decreasing nighttime anxiety, was a game changer.
Venlafaxine XR
My Pajamas
I no longer sleep in synthetic fabrics at all - that means 100% cotton or 100% linen, and thats it. Yes, natural fibers can be expensive but over the years I've found great options at just about every price point.
Seersucker jammies are so light, great for summer.
Women's Classic Seersucker Long Pajama Set
Love poplin, and I'm a sucker for the Gap bear.
Poplin PJ Set | Gap
My Mom put my sisters and I in Hanna pajamas, and I'm still obsessed 40 years later!
Hanna Andersson - Women's Wide Leg Pajama Set
Love the shorts for summer.
Pajama Short Set In End-on-end Cotton For Women | J.Crew
Poplin for the win!
Women's Poplin 2 Piece Pajama Set - Short Sleeve Shirt and Shorts
I was surprised when I found 100% cotton pajamas for such a low price, but I've been impressed!
Women's Cream/Morning Society Printed Pajamas | H&M US
My Bed
If the room is the sleep environment, the bed is the control center. Comfort matters more than people think. When your body is even slightly uncomfortable, your brain notices.
Linen sheets are so cool in the summer, makes a huge difference if you run hot at night!
100% Linen Fitted Sheet Stone Washed King
I consider these my anti-sweat pillowcases, cool no matter the temperature.
100% French Linen Pillow Shams - Pack of 2
Cotton from the foundation up!
Mattress Pad
The heaviest weighted blanket I could find in a smaller size. If I need heavier, I'll just have my husband hit me over the head with a shovel.
Quility 25 LB Queen Weighted Blanket 60x80
I'm stupid enough to pay $200+ for a pillow…but I would panic-rebuy in a New York minute if anything happened to it! I don't know why this works, I don't know why there isn't a cheaper dupe out there, but it is worth its weight in GOLD.
Classic Sleep Crown Pillow
It took a lot of trial and error, and going through 8 pillows until I finally found the perfect pillow. This one is amazing, adjustable, and doesn't feel overly hot at night.
The S&S Adjustable Pillow - Silk & Snow
I have the medium in the color Peachy Piglet (now discontinued). This under my weighted blanket is the perfect combo. One side is fuzzy and cool in the summer, the other cozy and soft in the winter - yes I use this year round!
Marshmallow Blanket
Flannel sheets for the winter, there is nothing cozier.
Botanical Floral Flannel Sheet Collection
Spendy yes, but they will last FOREVER.
Comfy Super Soft Cotton Flannel Plaid Bed Sheet Set - 5oz
Etsy has been a great source of linen sheets, often coming from Europe.
Stonewashed Linen Fitted Sheet: Natural Bedding, Custom Size
My Room
None of this is glamorous, it’s just basic sensory management. But when your room is dark, quiet, and boring, your brain has far fewer excuses to stay awake. Which, after years of wrestling with sleep, turns out to be exactly the point. 😴
Never underestimate how much light is in your room at night - I use these to dim or eliminate the little lights from the TV, the power strip under my nightstand, etc.
FLANCCI LED Light Blocking Stickers 2 Sheets
I've tried a few of them, but I like the silk to be kind to my skin, and I like the wider band that can go over my ears. Be warned that if you have a dark color like navy and you sweat at night, you may end up with blue staining on your face. Ask me ...
100% Natural Silk Cooling Sleep Mask, Lotus Pink
It pisses me off that I bought this thing, and still need to pay $4.99 a month for the app…but its made such a difference for how I wake up in the morning that I'm willing to deal.
Hatch Restore 3 Sunrise Alarm Clock Sound Machine Smart Light - Greige: Nature White, Ocean, Brown Noise
I'm so addicted to the Hatch that I bought the baby travel version for trips.
Hatch Go Portable USB Sound Machine for Babies and Kids' - Putty: White Noise, Wind, Ocean, Rain, Laundry Dryer Sounds
Ugly, yes. Effective, also yes. They're soft enough that they are easy to insert, and they don't make my ear canal sore.
Howard Leight Laser Lite Foam Earplugs, 200-Pairs