Let me start this off by saying I love sleep. I absolutely adore it. If I could sleep for 10 hours a day I would. Unfortunately, sleep does not love me. I’ve struggled with my sleep for several years, been diagnosed with insomnia and been through my fair share of sleep medication. Though my sleep is much improved I still have bouts of insomnia and I’m a very fussy sleeper.
I always try to stop doing work around 6 or 7pm, taking the evenings off in the hope that I can unwind and therefore fall asleep more quickly. Generally, I will have a shower in the evening, the hot water relaxes me and helps me to wash off the stress of the day. Around 10pm I will begin the bedtime routine. Firstly, I go to the bathroom and brush my teeth. I pass through the kitchen on the way back to my bedroom, so here I will make a stop to fill up my water bottle for the night. When I return to my bedroom I shut my door and turn on my bedside lamp on to the brightest of its 3 settings; I have one of those touch lamps with 3 settings, I don’t know what I’d do without it as dimming my room really helps to relax me and put me in the frame of mind for sleep, I warned you, I’m a fussy sleeper.
Next, I get changed into a comfy pair of pyjamas, brush my hair into a pony tail, put my large pillow on my bed and sit, with the duvet over my legs, in my bed. I then dim my bedside lamp to the middle setting. Here I take my contact lenses out and put my glasses on (always the best part of the day) and start my skincare routine. Firstly, I remove my makeup and cleanse my face (also a wonderful moment in my day) then use eye cream and moisturiser. At this point I dim my light to its lowest setting, so that the majority of my room is relatively dark and lie down with my big pillow still propped underneath me. I will normally watch a bit of Netflix after this, probably something mindless (but wonderful) such as Gossip Girl or Friends. Now, I used to always have to read before I went to bed, firstly because I enjoyed it and secondly as it was the only way I could sleep but I seem to be skipping this stage of the night-time routine at the moment as I’m so tired. However, sleep and I are once again not friends so maybe I need to get reading again!
After watching Netflix or reading, whichever comes last, I take my glasses off, put my phone on charge and lie it face down on the bed next to me (so that the brightness doesn’t wake me up in the night), throw my big pillow on the floor and and turn off my lamp. I end the evening by rolling onto my right side, tucking my arm underneath my head and most likely stressing about the amount I need to get done the following day.
So there we have it! That was my very high-maintenance bedtime routine.
Goodnight! E.W.