I've referenced my insomniac brain a few times on the blog, it normally causes a few rambly posts written with a lack of sleep. I have a spectacularly busy brain, and I'm a born worrier, I find it really hard to relax enough to fall asleep. My boyfriend is one of those people who falls asleep as soon as his head touches the pillow, but I need a little more help, or I end up spending five hours lying in bed remembering every cringey moment from childhood, and worrying about my workload. Whilst I haven't found anything that will send me straight to sleep, I have got a little selection of aids I employ when I need help to unwind.
Nothing makes me sleepier than long, hot, bubble bath, so if I've had a particularly stressful day, or my anxiety is acting up that's the first thing I do before bed. I love a good Lush bath bomb, but if I'm on the sleep search it's the Aromatherapy Associates Bath Oils I reach for. Not only do these smell incredibly soothing, the leave your skin silky smooth too.
I like to cosy up in bed with a giganta mug of tea, to warm up my insides and soothe my soul (tea is the best medicine, I'm sure). Most of the time I reach for Whittard's Dreamtime Instant Tea, a super sweet honey, apricot and vanilla tea, but if I want something a little less sweet and a little faster working, I go with Clipper Snore and Peace, which is a delicious blend of chamomile, lemon balm & lavender (don't worry, you can't taste the lavender).
There are a few products I find really aid the calming of my mind. The This Works Deep Sleep Stress Less rollerball often gets rolled all over my inner wrists and I find the scent super calming, I tend to whip it out of my handbag if my anxiety starts to pop up. I also have the This Works Sleep Balm, which is the option I prefer for travel, since it's not liquid it's perfect for flying. I tend to pop this on my temples. I used to have the pillow mist from the range, but when that ran out I moved on The Body Shop Deep Sleep Dreamy Pillow and Body Mist, which is almost identical but half the price. This gets liberally spritzed all over the bedding and my pyjamas until my boyfriend starts to sneeze. I also find a good mist of the Caudalie Beauty Elixir all over my face and neck helps me feel ready for bed, and the essential oils make me feel sleepy.
And if all else fails, I just knock back a couple of Nytol, switch off the lights and hope for the best!
What do you like to do before bed to help you sleep?
