Better Sleep, more energy- try these tips

Today I want to talk about something very real and relevant to all of us...SLEEP. Our lives get so busy, we end up caught in a trap where we aren't taking care of ourselves and feel exhausted and oh so sleepy throughout the day.  

I thought I'd let you know how I take care of myself when it's time for bed. I often use pieces of my routines from both the Chair Yoga and Simply Stretch programs to let my mind relax. It doesn't have to be for very long, but it gives me the chance to put everything else aside, and really focus on the here and now. Relaxation is key in getting a good night's rest. I'm very habitual and have my routines for just about everything. At night, I typically like to take a nice warm shower to wash off the day and I love to rub lavender oil on my wrists. Sometimes I'll even spray some on my pillow! The smell is so relaxing and I'm pretty sure I have my body trained to get sleepy just with the association of the smell and bed every night. 

My bed is super comfy... My bed is super comfy... I highly encourage everyone to invest in a good mattress and sheets.If your mattress is sagging or overworn, it's probably not a good place to try to recharge yourself every night. You're more likely to spend the night tossing and turning trying to get comfortable. I also love wearing super soft pajamas, there's nothing quite like being comfy! 

Perhaps most importantly, I always power down my phone at least 20 minutes before bed and make sure it's in another room. I NEVER use my phone in bed. There is a ton of research that shows how light from our cell phones actually stimulates our brains, making it harder to fall asleep. 

All this being said, sleep is very personal and individual so you really have to find what works best for you. Our friends at Casper came up with some great tips to get better sleep: