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These days, quality sleep has become somewhat of a luxury. Blame it on work stress or even upheavals in our personal lives, our well-deserved 8 hours of undisturbed snooze has become elusive. When lack of sleep started wrecking havoc in your life, it's time for some drastic changes in your day-to-day routine. Follow the eight-step sleepy time ritual to ensure that nothing comes between you and your sleep.
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A warm bath: Take a long, warm bath before you go to sleep. If you are lucky enough to have a bathtub, fill it up with warm water and add some calming fragrance oils like lavender or ylang-ylang in it. Or a luxuriant bath with your favourite bath soap can also do the trick.
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Clean and comfy bed clothes: Ditch your dirty t-shirt and unwashed shorts for a clean and comfy nightdress. Ensure you have at least one less thing (read smelly clothes) to worry about when you hit the sack.
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Light-coloured bed covers: Bed covers in colours like red and orange may end up having a stimulating effect on your mood. Whereas, dreary colours like black and brown may be too depressing for bed time. Pick bed covers in pale colours of blue, pink, yellow or white for a calming sleep.
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Get a bedtime buddy: Well, it doesn’t have to be a person; a cuddly stuffed toy by your side can be just as good. Hugging your teddy to sleep can be calming and can give you a sense of security and happiness.
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Fluffy pillows: Sometimes, good pillows can make all the difference. It’s distressing to even think of dreaming sweet dreams when your head is resting on a rock hard pillow. Bad pillows can also give you a stiff neck. So invest in some soft pillows preferably with antimicrobial properties for a good night’s sleep.
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Familiar scents: Sprinkling some essential oils like lavender or ylang-ylang on your bedding can have a calming effect. You could consider spraying your pillow with a familiar fragrance for a feeling of comfort and security.
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Soft sounds: Listen to an audio book narrated in a soft, gentle voice during bedtime. If audio books aren’t your thing, soft white noise or even audios of nature sounds can do a good job lulling you into sleep.
