Hi Friend,
We know the importance of sleep, we need it for our brains and body to literally function and function well!
So how do we implement a sleep routine?
Well, I ask you, what relaxes you? Start with that!
Aim to hit up at least 20-30min of downtime before settling into bed with what is relaxing for YOU. Read, take a bath, paint, meditate. Ideally anything away from a screen. Then just before bed start to give your body signs that it is time to sleep. What do I mean by this?
Give yourself subtle little hints from smell or touch that it’s time to sleep now.
An example could be
20min relax downtime
Take a bath/shower
Put on scented lotion or spray a scented calming mist
Put on PJs - The new form of texture on your skin is a tactile cue something has changed
Hop into bed - read, breathwork, gratitude journal - something calming to drown out the thoughts of the day
Whatever the sequence is for you, make it a habit and routine. Give your body a chance to adapt and recognize the cues - at least 21 days.
Make it as simple as you like, and make it resonate with you.
Mine for example lasts about 15-30min
Relax time is my Paint by Numbers, Listening to my chill mixes
Shower or simply wash face and put face honey moisturizer on
3 min hip/shoulder release
Put my head on a silk pillowcase (textures help me relax)
Create a few subtle wind-down cues for yourself.
Give your body time to pick up on the sleep cues.
I’d love to know if this resonates with you, and what routines you come up with that work for you.
Until next week Nikki
Stay curious and remember “We don’t stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing” - George Bernard Shaw
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