Sleeping Beauty – Treat Yourself Like a Princess

Some days I just run myself ragged. I know I'm not the only one who has fallen into bed at the end of a long day, not even bothering to wash my face after giving my teeth a half-hearted brushing. Lazy shortcuts are fine every once in a while, but bad habits do catch up and the whole world will know about it, because the results of a lackluster bedtime routine will be written all over your face. The poet Ovid once said, “beauty is a fragile gift” and I'm pretty convinced this comment was made after one of my great (great x10) ancestors forgot to wash off their khol before hitting the hay.

Good Days Come From a Great Night's Sleep

It doesn't have to be so difficult, trust me, I am a woman of convenience. I enjoy feeling pretty, pampered and princess-like, but I don't like investing a whole lot of time in achieving these goals. Being low-maintenance doesn't make me no-maintenance though, I just like to follow an equation of minimum input/maximum output. Drugstore make-up, homemade face masks and body scrubs, you name it. In my mind, true beauty blossoms from within, and starts at home, with sleep and water being the most vital ingredients to my daily routine.

Three Bedtime Tips to Make You Feel Just Dreamy  

A good night's sleep will help alleviate dark circles under the eyes and sallow skin, but also make you feel more alert and centered, which is great for lifting your mood and putting a genuine smile on your face. Before you dive under the duvet in defeat, hear me out, try out the three tips I have to share and see if you don't notice a difference.

• Cap That Minty Toothpaste – Mint-heavy toothpaste is fantastic for morning perk-ups, mint being a natural mood elevator, but not so great for setting the mood for a trip to dreamland. Instead, try a toothpaste with a calmer, gentler flavor formula. Good choices include lavender, vanilla, and chamomile. Read the label, some blends may also include valerian root which has been reported to improve sleep.

• Check the Potion In Your Lotion – Did you know that your skin loses quite a bit of moisture during the night? Anyone that's woken up at night drenched in sweat is probably wondering what took me so long to learn this interesting tidbit, but it's still true – your skin loses quite a bit of moisture during the night. Slathering on any ole lotion is fine, but why not reach for something containing cardamom. This fragrant cousin of the ginger root is also a natural relaxer, its aroma will help put you in a more restful mood while the rest of the lotion goes to work at keeping you moisturized.

• Speaking of Aromatherapy – If the chamomile in your toothpaste and the cardamom in your lotion have gotten you to the edge of Slumberville, then dabbing a scented oil on your wrists should put you on the VIP list in the Dream District. Not sure which scents are the most sleep-friendly? Lean towards sandalwood, rose, and iris, each of these are fantastic for relieving stress and clearing a cluttered mind.

Of course, there may be other factors which contribute to your tossing and turning at night. If you're not able to get a restful night's sleep, consider a new bed, I happen to love my Select Comfort sleep number bed, or maybe a new pillow if a brand new bed isn't in your budget. Sweet dreams!