Since graduating college last year, I have made rest much more of a priority in my life. In college, and even before that, I used to stay up until at least midnight every night. This would either make me tired all day if I had to get up for class, or would make me sleep in until 10:30 or 11AM everyday. 

I would be groggy all morning and need an energy drink to get me through the day. That is, until I figured out a sleep schedule that worked for me.

In this blog, I am going to walk you through the routine I have to get the best sleep ever. 

Wake Up Time

In a recent blog, I went over some habits that have changed my life and one of them is not snoozing. However, an easy morning wake up starts with a solid night routine and a well rested soul. 

Now, there is nothing wrong with sleeping in, especially if you’re not a morning person. I actually thought that I wasn’t a morning person until I started getting better rest. 

To be fair, there are many different levels of a “morning person”.” Some morning people enjoy waking up at 5AM and starting their day. I am not that kind of morning person. 

I think a 7-8AM wake-up window is the ideal time for me, and this will be different for every person. Once you figure out your ideal wake up time, you can then figure out what time you should be going to bed. 

For me, that time is between 9:30-11PM, depending on the specific time I have to wake up in the morning. Ideally, you want to get to sleep in time to get 8-9 hours of sleep (9-10 if you’re a lady during your menstrual phase 🙂 

Winding Down For Bed

When the clock strikes 8PM, my phone sets an automatic limit that locks all my social media app, my email, and some shopping apps. I set this to help me avoid doom scrolling before bed. 

There is really no need for me to scroll through Instagram or check my email at 8PM, so having them locked at this time really works for me. 

I use the app Opal. It has a free version that has some restrictions, but overall it does what it needs to. 

After I have showered, brushed my teeth and am ready for bed, I like to set the vibe. This includes turning off the big light, turning on my lava lamp, and lighting a candle. I like to have a low light ambience to help get me sleepy and allow my body to start its natural production of melatonin. 

Sometimes, I watch a show or movie, but if it’s after 9PM, I typically don’t.

Next, I take a magnesium supplement and I lather some magnesium oil on my shoulders and legs. Magnesium is great because it helps with natural relaxation and has been shown to make for better sleep, longer sleep times, and less tiredness during the day. 

I also like to read for at least 10 minutes before bed and this usually makes me very tired on its own. 

Sleep Recommendations

1. No scrolling before bed!! 

I am sure you’ve all heard this but it is actually crazy how much our phones get in the way of our sleep. The blue light from the screen, messes with our bodies natural production of melatonin which in turn, wakes us up. That is the exact opposite of what we want to do before bed.  

I recommend the app Opal, to lock your apps so you quite literally can’t scroll yourself to sleep. 🙂

2. Dim the lights

I have found that having my room dimly lit before bed helps signal to my body that it is time for rest. A small lamp is the perfect amount of low light and a candle or two works great too – just don’t forget to blow it out!

3. Magnesium

I have noticed profound effects since I have started taking magnesium before bed. I used to take melatonin on occasion, but it would knock me out and I would feel drowsy the next morning and have trouble getting out of bed. 

Magnesium does the opposite – it makes me feel relaxed before bed and then well-rested in the morning. I take a supplement form and I use an oil on my body. 

4. Find a winding down activity that works for you – I recommend reading!

Finding an activity that makes you sleepy, is another great way to wind down for bed. I enjoy reading before bed because it is a nice way to relax the body and slow the heart rate before going to sleep. I also love to read and find it to be something to look forward to at the end of my day. 

Some of my favorite book recommendations are coming in another blog soon!

5. Use a sleep tracker – I use an Oura Ring!

Using a sleep tracker is a great way to prioritize your rest and actually see for yourself what works for you and your unique sleep patterns. Everyone is different and what works for one person may not work for the other so it is important to educate yourself on your own unique body!

I will be going over the Oura Ring and everything I like about it at another time.

Hoping these tips help you get the best sleep of your life, you deserve it!!