Welcome to Be Your Own Date - a space dedicated to all things self-care and wellbeing. If you haven’t already done so, I encourage you to take a look at my other posts; I hope you’ll like them and find them useful too! 

This post is all about having a good night’s sleep and the idea first came to me last year. Sleep plays such an important function in allowing our minds and bodies to rest and restore, yet I was finding it hard to relax and drift off, especially at the start of the first lockdown in March last year. This also happens when I’m feeling particularly anxious about something or have an important decision to make, perhaps you can relate to this? 

Sleep and self-care

There have been times when I have taken my sleep for granted and worked incredibly long hours or, equally, enjoyed myself into the early hours of the morning! Now, I just don’t feel myself without at least 6 hours, ideally 8 hours - that’s the sweet spot for me. This combined with being very productive at night time - a legacy of completing essays in the late evening for school and then university - can be tricky, although I’ve come to embrace this side of me. However, I also make a conscious effort to complete tasks during the day, like putting this post together and the dreaded life admin, you know filing away that stack of documents that I’ve let pile up and getting rid of the things that I don’t need, to balance things out a little. I really do hoard far too many receipts! 

🗒 Side note

Last weekend, spurred on my new free-standing wardrobe - no more rails - I started to re-organise my clothes and taking photos of the items I wish to sell and donate. I must say, I felt so much better for it. Tidying and decluttering my physical space really does have a positive effect on my mind and how I’m feeling about my situation at the time. 

Back to the post

Being organised also extends to taking care of myself better and giving myself the time out that I need for sleep each night. I actually recorded my first ever podcast last year on this very topic, but didn’t feel confident in sharing it until now. Whilst it has received a few plays across various platforms, I wanted to be intentional about sharing it with you here, the perfect space for it. For my first foray into something so new to me, I’m pretty happy with it. I recall recording it a few times and making a few mistakes here and there, but at some point, you just have to press publish! So without further ado, rather than writing about what works for me, how about you listen to it instead?! Here is my episode on what helps me to get a good night’s sleep. I wanted to share some tips because it’s such an important part of self-care and is particularly pertinent during a time of such uncertainty. 

Spoiler

You may have picked up on the fact that I LOVE lavender, so this, of course, will be a feature. It’s just soooo fragrant and calming, and I often benefit from tapping a few drops of lavender essential onto my pillow at night. 

Bonus: Listen to my podcast episode: A Good Night’s Sleep 

Sleeping well at night is an important part of our self-care routine. I’d love to know what a good night’s sleep looks like to you. Let me know in the Comments section below and connect with me on your socials.

If I can find the time further down the line, I’d love to record some more episodes in the future, but I’m focusing on my blog and 1:1 Wellbeing Coaching for now, which feels just right. 

My Favourite Things

Little luxuries to aid a good night’s sleep

• Lavender essential oil

I last purchased some lavender essential oil when I visited the lavender fields in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. I also like their soap, wheat bag (warm in the microwave) and bath melt.

• Mulberry silk pillowcase

I like my cream silk pillowcase because of its softness, neutral colour, hidden zip on one side and longevity since I purchased it in 2017. Silk is worth the investment, as it is kinder to my face and curly hair than cotton options.

• Silk eye mask/sleep mask

I have used the Bouclème sleep mask for a while now, which sits on my bedside. I like the clean lines and simplicity. First and foremost, this is a haircare line, specifically made for curly hair, and I really like some of those products too, perhaps I’ll share my personal favourites in another post. 

• High quality sleepwear

Wearing beautiful sleepwear simply makes me feel good and so I think it’s a worthwhile investment. Sometimes, I like to wear lingerie to bed and Brighton Lace is one of my favourites, especially as it’s a sustainable and ethical brand handmade in England. I try to support small businesses where I can and my favourite set right now is the Lace Racerback Lingerie set in Peacock Blue. I really like the longline and supportive fit of the bralette and, for me, it’s all about the high waist knicker - super flattering! 

• 100% linen bedding bundle

Linen can be pricey, but well worth it, so keep an eye out for some good deals...I adore a classic white or beige linen bedding set.

• Body cleanser

Avene XeraCalm Replenishing Cleansing Oil is a gentle, fragrance-free formulation that can be used for the face and body - I LOVE a multi-tasking skincare product.

• Bath salts

I particularly like these options for a relaxing bath: Dr Teal's Epsom Salt with Lavender and Westlab Himalayan Cleansing Salt.

• A candle for your bedside

Personally, my ultimate favourite is the Baies candle by Diptyque, which smells divine and is long-lasting. However, it is a splurge so I’d suggest checking it out in person first! Alternatively, I enjoy the No.1 Lime, Basil and Mandarin candle by Aldi - yup, the supermarket - when I need to be kinder to my purse, and it’s often referred to as a Jo Malone dupe. The only trouble is that it’s often out of stock, perhaps for that very reason!

1:1 Wellbeing Coaching ☀️

I am delighted to share that I can support you to improve your work-life balance through 1:1 Wellbeing Coaching.

Curious to know more? Read about my unique approach, personalised coaching programme and what to expect while we work together. 

When you are ready to get in touch, submit your interest in personal coaching sessions or pass this information on if you think it might benefit a loved one.

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Sleep well...Be kind to yourself. Be Your Own Date. 

~ Amy-Jo ☀️