The Best Sleep of Your Life
I used to be a time maximizer. I'd run myself ragged trying to cram everything I could into one day, leaving no room for rest and rejuvenation. I didn't live by the phrase "I'll sleep when I'm dead," but I certainly didn't prioritize sleep or a nighttime routine.
I then learned how vital sleep is to one's health. Your brain detoxes itself overnight, and your body heals itself. Getting 7–9 hours of sleep is not just an old wives' tale; it's science, and it's crucial for longevity. A few years ago, I really started to take sleep seriously. In my 20s, my friends and my husband would jokingly tease me for not being able to "hang," and sometimes I'd even sneak away when we had guests over to get a good night's sleep. Now they do the same thing because they've realized how important it is.
Not only was my nighttime routine completely different from my early twenties, but I even changed what I sleep in and on. Polyester is made from plastic, and sleeping in it all night is not good for your sleep or your body. So I switched ALL of my bedding over — all the way down to my mattress.
I was also careful about what I ate, drank, and visually consumed before bed. Overhead lights at night disrupt your sleep, and so does blue light from your phone. That nightcap you're having before bed isn't helping you sleep either — and neither is melatonin. Try magnesium or a bedtime mocktail instead.
Here are the top things I did for the ultimate nighttime routine, and all the switches I made to go non-toxic with my bedding.
Non-Toxic Bedding:
Here are a few brands I’ve found that pass the non-toxic check list.
P.S. I recommend looking for organic cotton, wool or linen for bedding or checking to see if your bedding is Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified or OEKO-TEX® certified. GOTS certified products are “textiles made with at least 70% organic fibers, produced without harmful chemicals, GMOs, or child labor, while meeting strict environmental and social standards.” OEKO-TEX “ensures textiles are tested for over 1,000 harmful substances, guaranteeing consumer safety from raw materials to finished products.”
Sleep-Aids:
Organic Tart Cherry Juice: snag at your local grocery store
