Sleep. If you could buy it in a bottle, you’d buy a dozen right? There are many reasons why that wonderful, blissful state of unconsciousness might be eluding you: from stress, to anxiety, to diet, to worrying about the in-laws coming to stay! Whilst we can’t get your to-do list done, we can suggest a few new habits.

Skip down to our 7 Step Bed Time / Sleep Ritual.

Go ‘offline’ one hour before sleep. Stop emailing, texting and web browsing. Even go so far as to switch off the telly! Give your mind a rest. If you need to charge an electronic device, try doing so outside of the bedroom. The stimulating and physiological effects from the screen will prohibit your ability to sleep. Go to the library and borrow an old-fashioned paper novel – remember those? Read that instead.

As they say, eat breakfast like a King, lunch like a Prince, and dinner like a Pauper so make sure the last meal of the day is relatively light. If you eat a heavy meal too close to bedtime your body will be focused on digesting – not sleeping!  Eat lighter meals that are easy to digest (good carbs & vegetables). Or eat earlier on for nights that you simply must sleep well. This will help stop that sluggish feeling you might get after a bigger dinner. Salads, meats, and vegetables tend to be lighter than carb-based dinners and won’t lay on your stomach before bed. Try also eating at least 2 hours before you plan on sleeping, you’d be surprised just how much this helps too!

Avoid drinking caffeinated tea or coffee within 6 hours of bedtime. And no alcoholic nightcaps – whilst they might help you get to sleep, they also cause you to wake up more frequently as they encourage your mind to remain active even when you don’t want it too. Try replacing them with a chamomile tea or a hot water.

Go to bed and get up at the same time each day so your body gets into a sleep-wake cycle and you will have a better night’s sleep. Yep that includes the weekends too! Plus, set an alarm to remind you to GO to bed (not just to wake up in the morning). If you don't fall asleep within 30 minutes try getting up, do something relaxing and then go back to bed when you're tired. Agonising over falling asleep makes nodding off even harder.

Cool, calm and quiet is the perfect sleep environment. Our body temperature can fluctuate particular at night for a number of reasons and most of us find ourselves getting too hot and uncomfortable. So try to gauge the temperature in your room and adjust to find a balance that works for you. It is also good to think about the thickness of your duvet during certain months. When it is colder outside opt for a thicker duvet and when we head into more summery months, choose a slightly thinner one as this will help with your sleep. If absolute quiet doesn’t work for you try popping on some relaxing music. It might sound strange, but those children’s classical lullabies work a trick every time!

Be sure to regularly exercise during the day to burn up energy, but just don’t do it too close to bedtime as this will rev you up and make you too wired for sleep.

De-stress. Be calm. Take three deep breaths in and let each breath out sloooowly – imagine you are blowing up a balloon inside (yes, let your tummy and chest expand as you breath in, and let it subside as you breath out).  This breathing technique will ultimately allow your muscles to relax, you are focusing on your breathing so not dwelling too much on some of the stresses and troubles in your life and the deep breathing is almost meditative.

Know that it’s OK to take ‘me-time’ to prep for sleep. Make to-do lists and jot down what’s on your mind to get things out of your head while you sleep. It really works, grab a notebook and pen and leave it by your bed. Now your head is clear and calm make time to count your blessings. Literally! Recount the day’s activities and consciously find something good to think about each one. You could even start a gratitude list – the results on your wellbeing will be amazing. 

Tell your body it’s sleep time by doing the same things every night. turn the lights down low, take a warm bath or shower, stretch, relax skin and mind with a quick body or face massage routine, read, or listen to soothing music. All these things can wind you down gently. Why not give our bedtime (sleep) ritual and tell us how you get on?

Night-shift worker? Follow the same rules but during the day!

Draw yourself a warm bath and drizzle two capfuls of DRIFT AWAY relaxing bathing and massage oil.  This luxurious oil will turn the water beautifully milky, enabling the moisturising properties and gorgeous blend of essential oils to really penetrate the skin. You can also use DRIFT AWAY to give yourself a aromatherapy massage. 

 Whilst the bath is filling, light a SIESTA FOREVER relaxing aromatic candle and place in a safe place in the bathroom. Turn on THE REPOSE SUITE – the perfect selection of music we created for relaxing and getting you in the sleep mood. Grab your favourite fluffy towel, robe and slipper. Spritz QUIETUDE calming mist lightly on your towel, robe and in the air around you. 

Draw yourself a warm bath and drizzle two capfuls of DRIFT AWAY relaxing bathing and massage oil.  This luxurious oil will turn the water beautifully milky, enabling the moisturising properties and gorgeous blend of essential oils to really penetrate the skin. You can also use DRIFT AWAY to give yourself a aromatherapy massage. 

 Whilst the bath is filling, light a SIESTA FOREVER relaxing aromatic candle and place in a safe place in the bathroom. Turn on THE REPOSE SUITE – the perfect selection of music we created for relaxing and getting you in the sleep mood. Grab your favourite fluffy towel, robe and slipper. Spritz QUIETUDE calming mist lightly on your towel, robe and in the air around you. 

Apply your favourite facial mask – the steam from the bath will help open up your pores and all the goodness will penetrate even deeper. QUENCH rejuvenating face mask is an ultra-rich, anti-ageing mask that is like a relaxing drink for the skin – great for a skin boost.  After about 20-30 minutes you can remove the mask with fresh water and a TAKE IT OFF muslin cleansing cloth.  Hop out of the bath and pat yourself dry.

Take a generous scoop of DUVET comforting body cream and massage gently into your body, starting at the toes and working up each leg, torso, back (get a friend to help you!) then from fingers to arms. This is a luxurious, advanced body cream that is designed to envelop the body with hydrating and skin nurturing ingredients, leaving it smooth, toned and deliciously spa’d out.

When you are ready to sleep, take a half a teaspoon size of REPOSE aromatherapy resting cream and rub it into your palms. Take your hands to your face and breathe deeply before massaging your face and neck. Also try massaging the back of your neck and top of shoulders and feel them drop in relaxation. This wonderful skin comforter sinks in immediately, leaving your complexion ultra-soothed and settled.  The ingredients in the formula have been chosen for their natural ability to help aid a restful sleep; the lavender, hops and frankincense will help you to travel to la-la land very quickly. You can also apply to your pulse points to bring a sense of peace and calm.

Spritz your pillow and the air around your bed lightly with QUIETUDE calming mist to induce a feeling of peace and calm. The wonderful soothing aromas will layer beautifully with the fragrant essential oils of REPOSE and help ease you into a restful sleep.

Finally, massage your legs and feet with AAAHHH! soothing balm for aching feet and limbs. This stops not only that ‘restless-leg’ feeling but can help cool your whole body down.

Why not try or gift our SILENT NIGHT relaxation and sleep set packed full of luxury beauty and aromatherapy goodies to help you or a loved one achieve that perfect night’s sleep.

Sweet dreams!