Hello lovelies!
Continuing with our theme of stressing less, I thought we'd tackle quite a big one today: insomnia. A product of stress and worry, insomnia affects more people than you'd realise. I personally suffered for a period of time a few years ago, where I would fall asleep around 11pm, then wake again at 2am, and would not be able to sleep again until the daytime, where sleeping is not really viable or sensible. Luckily I can now sleep through the night, and only suffer with these sleepless nights a few nights a month.

I have become quite well practised at these long nights, and so thought I would share some of my tips with you. The most important thing is to not lay there wide awake and frustrated. Your bed needs to be a comfortable place of sleep, so laying awake getting hot and bothered is not a good thing to do. As unpleasant as it is, the best thing to do is get up and do something mindless and simple until you can fall back asleep. (I taught myself origami in these strange hours, I find the repetitive folding quite relaxing.) Or, if it is one of those nights where you know you're just not going to sleep, get up and do something productive! On a couple of occasions I have got up and baked a cake at 4am, and them you at least feel you have done something productive with your frustrating affliction!
The picture shows some of my favourite products to help aid getting off to sleep, as that is often the hardest part. Sleepy Tea has become a part of my regular night time routine, as teas including herbs such as valerian root and chamomile are really helpful in assisting drifting off. The two pillow mists are great, lavender again being a vital herb in relaxation. The lavender spray is from Boots, and the Deep Sleep is from The Body Shop. The peppermint foot spray and cooling lotion are more of a personal choice, as I cannot sleep if my feet are too warm. I realise that might be a bit strange, but that's just me! They also help that horrible restless feeling you get in your legs when you are tossing and turning. They are again available from The Body Shop. The mask is again from, you guessed it, The Body Shop (I don't work for them I promise!) and is a cooling eye mask, which not only keeps things dark, but is wonderfully relaxing and refreshing for your face.
Do you suffer from sleepless nights? Do you have any tips you want to share?
Labels: don't worry be happy, insomnia, sleep, stress