Happy Wednesday! I hope everyone is having a great week leading up to my favorite holiday of all, Thanksgiving! I am personally savoring these days as my favorite time of year, since the most hectic (and magical) season hasn’t quite driven us all nuts yet. Typically, I don’t decorate or really talk about the holidays before Thanksgiving, but I’m making an exception since we just put up our Christmas Tree so I’m feeling both gratitude AND the holiday spirit!
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Sleep is such a huge priority to me. I definitely have some long-term health issues and I realized when my kids were little that quality sleep is absolutely a non-essential for me. I’m also not someone who sleeps in or really naps, so I have found that going to bed consistently is very important. So my very first tip about rest and relaxation is to prioritize it, and I mean seriously. I go to bed early because I’ve realized that it makes a difference in how I feel long term. Here are some of my favorite sleep aids, most of which I have used for absolutely years.
Marpac Dohm Classic Sound Machine – I bought my first sound machine in high school because I have always been a really light sleeper. I’m not quite as light of a sleeper now as an adult, but I still need all the tools to help me sleep through all the noises of living with other people! We have a small house and five people and a dog living in it. So I knew we would need something to buffer the noises. We have been using these Marpac Dohm Classic Sound Machines for over 15 years in our home and we love them for every bedroom. We buy multiples as back up and travel with them too. These have lasted years and years for us. We find that they get a little dusty after awhile and will start to make a sort of sputtery sound, but you can open them up, clean the fan inside (it’s literally a tiny metal fan), apply some WD-40, and they will usually work again! I can’t say enough about these, we’ll continue using them forever I’m sure.
Weighted Blanket – The one I have is no longer available, but this one looks very similar and there are lots of other options here. I bought my first weighted blanket a few years ago and I loved it from the moment I tried it! There is something about a weighted blanket that just seems to calm you down and help you relax. As someone who can struggle to relax and even be still (thanks ADD & anxiety), this is something that really helps and I use it on my bed every night. In fact, I snagged a second weighted blanket (at a thrift store believe it or not) and I keep it in the living room so when I am sitting on the couch, I use it to cocoon my legs and it’s the coziest thing ever. It’s kind of an ugly blanket but it’s worth it! Warning: My husband is very gracious but he HATES the weighted blanket because it’s hard to adjust at night. I keep it on my side of the bed but it’s still kind of annoying if your partner doesn’t like it. Don’t say I didn’t warn you
Heating Pad — This will make me sound about 90 years old, but I use a heating pad every single night. This is probably tied to some of my health issues but I typically have pain in my back and neck (despite weekly chiropractic visits) and the heating pad instantly helps me relax. I know it sounds absurd because in the summer you will find me laying on my heating pad, covered up with weighted blanket, and blasting the fan as high as it will go, but hey I sleep pretty well.
Natural Calm Magnesium Glycinate
Magnesium has lots of benefits and many of us are deficient. I found out a long time ago that Magnesium is really helpful for me and helps me to sleep better and have generally less pain and inflammation. I have tried several kinds but my favorite is Natural Calm brand Magnesium Glycinate. It doesn’t upset my stomach and it works. It can also help with anxiety.
Relax Essential Oils — I’ve blogged about this product for years, I’ve shared it with dozens of friends as gifts and I use it myself all the time. Relax essential oils by Plant Therapy will always be in my purse or car for random stress moments! If I can’t settle down to fall asleep I rub this on my neck and under my nose to have a breath of calm and I promise it works! I have given it as gifts dozens of times and it’s really become one of my favorites. If you aren’t familiar with Plant Therapy they are very affordable yes they have excellent quality standards and exceptional customer service. I’m a huge fan!
Kindle Paperwhite — Another thing that is a crucial part of my bedtime routine is reading. I’m a lifelong reader and cannot really fathom going to bed without a good book. Now that I read on my Kindle Paperwhite, it is even easier because of the screen and I get all my books directly from my library for free! I throw it in my bag for travel. I have even read books from the pool because it’s water resistant. The screen is super adjustable and it really feels like you are getting the book experience. I have had mine for years and love it.
I’d love to hear your tips on how you get good sleep and cut back on stress during the busy holiday season! What are your Cheer & Chill essentials? Happy Thanksgiving everyone!