Six solutions for sleeping better.

So I’m definitely one of the lucky ones, as soon as I even start to think of my pillow I start to nod off, never had trouble sleeping. In fact over the years I’ve been known for my ability to sleep anywhere and have been found at it in rather embarrassing places; under my desk back at advertising office, in sivasana (its ok there right?) curled in front seat of minivan in Cairo, on the couch in mid conversations at friends places. So I can’t say I have trouble with sleep, though on occasions when I’ve had a matcha tea in the evening and/or have just too much going on in my head I have been known to stare into the black void of the small hours of the night wondering how/where/when sleep would ever arrive..

So on the whole as a self confessed sleep guru, I’m happy to share a few tips on how to sleep well;

1. Power Down; Turn off all tvs, phones, tablets and anything omitting blue screens at least a good hour before bed. Also keep them out of your room if possible. Use an old fashioned alarm clock rather than your phone especially if you suffer form FOMO and are tempted to check your social media in the middle of the night..Happens to the best of us!

2. Ear Plugs; turn your hearing off and turn inwards. May sound extreme but a lot of us can sleep but don’t realise we’re just light sleepers, so the slightest sound my disturb you from your slumber and then you’re stuck in insomnia agony once more. Invest in a good pair of wax ear plugs rather than foam ones. But be careful you don’t sleep through your alarm!

3. Keep a Regular Routine; As boring as it sounds, going to sleep and waking up at roughly the same time every day, even on weekends is good for you. This routine will get your brain and body used to being on a healthy snooze-wake schedule. In time, you'll be able to nod off quickly and rest soundly through the night.

4.Lavender Love

One of my all time favourites. Either dab a couple of drops of Lavender oil on your pillow or invest in a proper lavender eye pillow. These are weighted little eye mask pillows filled with lavender and flaxseeds that strap to your head . Resting just above the nose allows you to constantly be breathing in that soporific scent which will keep you in lala-land for a lot longer..Also handy as t hey block out the light so you’re not disturbed by crack of dawn light..

5. Hot Epsom Salt Bath; This is bliss! Not only does this option soften and release tension in your achey muscles and joints, it has the mirror effect on your mind. Invest in some good quality Epsom salts and proper soothing essential oils like Clary sage, sandalwood, juniper or lavender. You want to add about 10 -20 drops minimum for the aromatherapy benefits (remember smell is your most powerful sense!) Soak and stay for at least 20 minutes, or until you turn to blubber, then the only option left will be to drag yourself to your bed and pass out! Try for yourself..Simple solutions are often the most profound!

6.Limit Caffeine and Stimulants; Coffee in the morning is fine for most people. But as soon as the clock hits 3pm avoid caffeine in foods and drinks.  Even small amounts found in chocolate can affect your sleep quality later on in the night. Also be wary of matcha tea, I got caught out once thinking it was just a nice happy herbal tea that would lull me off in no time, instead felt like I was peaking, wide eyed at 2am..not good! Know what you’re putting in your body, understand the active ingredients of what’s in your trendy tea or smoothie. You don’t need uppers in the afternoon unless you’re working out hard physically..

Ok let me know how you go with a few of these and please do share..See you somewhere over the rainbow then!