This post has been sponsored by Lane Bryant. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Please see my Disclosure Policy for more details.
Over the last few months, life has gotten a little more hectic than normal. I am usually an early to bed, early to rise kind of person, but I have been seriously taking advantage of the midnight oil for too long. It has started to wreak havoc on my body and really decrease my quality of life. I can’t even think before I have downed a cup of coffee. Working out has taken a back seat. And I seem to be doing all things at a much slower pace than usual. This makes being a mom feel pretty miserable. I started wracking my brain for ways that I could cheat the system and keep up the pace.
A huge wake up call was when my last period lasted for 67 days. Yup. I had blood tests and peed on so many sticks, but it was just my body’s way of screaming at me to SLOW DOWN. No matter what phase of life I have been in, I have always made sleep a priority. And clearly there is a reason for that. So, I started to rethink how I was going about my evenings and play mom to myself by creating my own, adult bedtime routine. Because even adults need a bedtime routine from time to time!
Stress plays a huge factor in our overall health. Depriving our bodies of sleep is one way we unconsciously put our body under an incredible amount of stress. Sleep improves brain functions like increasing memory and creativity. It decreases immflamuation and stress. It makes you a MUCH happier person to be around. And the term “get your beauty rest” didn’t just come out of no where. Your skin, hair and nails all thank you when you get a solid eight hours of sleep.
We all make excuses why we stay up late or work into the wee hours of the morning, but at the end of the day, we end up like toddlers – cranky, quick to temper, and unable to form coherent sentences. And what happens when a kid gets overtired? They sleep terribly! And the vicious cycle repeats itself. For some reason, we allow ourselves to slip into this pattern and somehow expect our work and personal relationships not to suffer.
YOU NEED A BEDTIME ROUTINE, MOM!
I listed out all the reasons I was staying up too late and realized 90% of them could be avoided and the other 10% weren’t a valid excuse. Scrolling Instagram, emails, cleaning the kitchen, picking up toys, doing laundry. All of this could happen way before 11 pm, but as soon as I hit the couch after Marcus gets in bed, I am stuck there for the night. So, I made a commitment with my husband to spend 30 minutes post bedtime TOGETHER to clean up the house, lay out clothes for the next day and do all of the little things that bug me before my butt ever hits the couch.
I then set up a bedtime routine, much like I have for Marcus. Your routine might look a little bit different than mine, but TRUST ME. Following these simple steps or a variation will totally change your nights. And days!
Schedule Bedtime
It may sound silly, but give yourself a bedtime. We put our kids to bed at the same time nearly every night, right? They would stay up till they fell on the floor and passed out from exhaustion if we let them! We should be doing the same for ourselves. Be reasonable with yourself and your schedule. But don’t say you will be in bed by 1:00 am if you know your kid is going to come bounding in 6 o’clock in the dot. Try hard to make it so you are in bed with eight hours before your alarm (or kid) goes off. But if you can’t commit to that, at the very least get seven!
Get Into Your Pj’s
I’m not talking about your husband’s old t-shirt. Or the tank top you have had since high school and a pair of old Lululemon’s. We are talking about dedicated clothes that you only put on when you are ready for bed. I’m telling you, I went years without wearing real pajamas. As soon as I got myself some sleeping clothes, I felt like a new woman.
My favorite pajamas are from Lane Bryant. They are soft and breathable. And they don’t look like anything my grandmother would put on. I wanted pj’s that were feminine and light, nothing too sexy I couldn’t make pancakes with my toddler in. But pretty enough that I could still feel sexy getting into bed at night.
These floral shorts are by one of my favorite pajama bottoms I have ever owned. The material is like the softest cotton silk. And the fit flows like water makes my feel like I’m wearing a gorgeous skirt. Keeping it simple with this super cute tank top that shows just a peek – completely obsessed.
Growing up with my four sisters, we wore nightgowns like they were going out of style. And I think they did for a hot minute! But this florescent coral tank dress is the perfect amount of fun and sexy. There is a built in shelf bra – can I get an AMEN from all of my large chest ladies out there?? It isn’t super supportive, which isn’t what I am looking for in a sleep bra. But it just keeps everything… where it should be, if you know what I am saying! I love the peekaboo lace in the back and want to have this made in every single color known to man. I LOVE IT.
Wash Your Face, Girl. Seriously.
I’ve talked about my skin care routine before, but this is probably my favorite part of my bedtime routine. I’m a skin care junkie, but lately I have really paired down my routine. I’ve seen a massive improvement in my skin since minimizing products I am putting on my face.
Diffusing my favorite essential oil blend while I do my routine is the first step in relaxing and unplugging for the night. I take my time. Cleansing twice. A good oil massaged into my face and neck. And a boat load of moisturizer. Gotta keep hydrated through the night and give my skin all the ingredients it needs to look plump and fresh the next day. A few days a week I give myself a little extra time and put one of my favorite masks on while I finish up for the night.
Hide That Phone!
This will be one of the hardest things you will do as you get settled into your adult bedtime routine. But getting rid of your phone for at least 30 minutes before bed will absolutely lead to the best night’s sleep you have had in a LONG time. I charge my phone in the kitchen overnight. Not only am I not left scrolling for hours before I finally fall asleep, but when I wake up in the morning, I am able to say good morning to my husband, my kid, and set a few intentions for the day.
I’m already anticipating the excuses of “But my phone is my alarm! I can’t charge it in another room.” I have this amazing idea for you. A clock! They have been around for much longer than a phone and allow you to set an alarm just as easily. I love this super cute, retro looking one.
It’s Tea Time!
I hate going to bed with wet hair, but love a good shower at bedtime. So, while my hair is drying I make a cup of tea – decaf please! There is something so soothing about the routine of putting the kettle on, smelling the dried leaves and taking my time to settle my brain.
I’m all for the ease of a tea bag, but I like to reserve my favorite loose leaf tea from David’s Tea in my fun little tea steeper. It just makes it feel a bit more special and reinforces the ritual of my “adult bed time routine.”
Read Something You Enjoy
This has been the most enjoyable part of my day now for weeks. I think it had been at least four months since I had finished a novel when I decided to schedule my evenings. We all have plenty (ok, at least a little bit…) of time if we turn off the TV, shut down social media and CHOOSE to do something else. Reading has always been a passion of mine and I have been devouring my summer reading list. Four weeks in, four books down.
I really love reading on my Kindle. I have a super old one that works just like it did when I bought it. There isn’t a backlit screen, so it doesn’t bother my eyes or interfere with melatonin development like reading on an iPad or other tablet does. If I can read a physical book, though, I will always choose that route! Nothing like the smell of paper and a hard bound book, right?
Reading before bed relaxes the brain. It takes your mind off of your own daily stresses and transports you somewhere else, even if you are reading non fiction. Research actually shows that reading before bed improves the creativity of the brain. It is almost like giving your mind a quick yoga session before bed. You loosen up all of the stress and tightness of the day while exercising the muscles that may have fallen asleep during your latest Netflix binge.
Create Your Grown Up Bedtime Routine
Your assignment, if you want to sleep better than you have since you had kids, is to follow these steps.
- Set your schedule – Choose a bedtime and stick to it!
- Get comfy – Choose some pajamas that make you feel sexy, comfortable and cozy AF.
- Have a quick pamper – Start a super simple skin care routine. Your mind and face will thank you for it.
- Put your phone away – Plug your phone into charge in any room other than your bedroom.
- Have a cuppa – Make a warm drink for yourself. Make sure it is caffeine free and that every sip brings you a little sigh of happiness.
- Read a bedtime story – Even just ten minutes of reading will do your mind and body so much good.
Do you have any routines in place before bed? What tips or tricks do you use for getting a good night’s sleep?
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Twill Trim Strappy Sleep TankFrench Terry Flutter Sleep Short
Chemise with Strappy Lace Trim-Shelf Bra
