Bedtime routines

 Via

I believe the healing power of sleep is often neglected in the quest for beauty and indeed  the good life. The best thing about sleep is that it's free. And it's likely to do more for you than expensive potions can. Of course, ideally you'll be sleeping well and finding time to give your skin some love, but sleep is the ultimate priority. 

There are many who claim that due to hormone repair, sleeping in the evening before midnight will help you drop unwanted fat. There have been studies which show that people who go to bed simply eat more in a day and at less appropriate times, simply because they're awake for more hours.

It can be hard to wind down after a manic day, so here are my suggestions for a bedtime routine. Like everything concerning health and beauty, discipline creates freedom:

* Give yourself an absolute shut off point. For example, I tell myself I must be ready for bed by 10.30 p.m and at an absolute push, 11 p.m. Ideally though, you'll be ready to sleep about 30 minutes before your cut off point, so that you can rest your mind and shut down a noisy brain. 

* Finishing a healthy evening meal and clearing up afterward should signal the end of eating for the day. There is no need for late night snacks. If your body is working to digest food eaten late at night, your sleep won't be as peaceful.

* I suggest no caffeine or alcohol in the evening for a deep sleep. 

* Don't underestimate the power of a calming evening ritual. This is all about you making your world beautiful. Take the time to do the things you'd like to get done each day. It might be having a quick tidy, working on affirmations, facial massage, yoga stretches...ensure that your day ends in the way you want it to. Remember you can be who you want to be if you just get on and do it.

* Remove make up and floss etc before you're too tired to take care over it. Treat yourself lovingly. 

* Prepare for tomorrow. I recommend a 'tomorrow chair' where you can dump everything you need for the next day. It's not going to appear in House & Garden anytime soon, but if you're organised, who cares? Rather than rushing around finding your pashmina, shoes and keys in the morning, leave everything you'll need together in one pile. 

* Prepare food for the next day. Leftovers are a great money and time saver. I cook a big quantity of brown rice and refrigerate it. That way I have a base for lunch salads. By packing nuts, carrots and cucumber to snack on, you save yourself from buying sugar laden crap the next day. 

* Enjoy your time selfishly. I know this is harder for those who have children, but to be able to give graciously to others, we need to replenish with some down time. 
* Worries on your mind? Lots to do? Keep a notebook for your handbag which contains short term lists. Make a note of the errands you need to run tomorrow and trust that you'll deal with them when tomorrow comes.

* Television and tweeting are not the kind of activities to lull you into a good sleep. So as good as those CSI repeats are, this is the time to enjoy  a relaxing soundtrack, to meditate or to read. Feed your mind and soul and you will sleep beautifully. 

* Place a bowl of water in the bedroom all year round to absorb humidity/eliminate stuffiness.

* Turn all lights, electricity and mobiles off. A small red/green light can interrupt sleep greatly. If you can, choose heavy curtains or black out blinds.

* You're in bed and sleep is on its way. This is the perfect moment to apply oil to your hands and feet. Olive, Primrose or Almond would be great. In fact, whatever you fancy. Soothing oil over your reflexes acts as a natural sedative. You can wear bedtime gloves and socks if you wish to protect your sheets, but in my experience, this technique doesn't damage bed linen.

Sleep tight. More tips on sleeping here