Sleep Well: 4 Ways to Wind Down at Home

Move over sheep-counting. Behold, four bedtime rituals that will inspire [beauty] rest and relaxation.

Whether the summer heat is getting to you; your mind is racing after a long workday; or you’re just getting yourself acquainted in your new home, it can sometimes feel impossible to catch those zzzzs. And since staring at the ceiling isn’t much fun, we’ve rounded up four sure-fire ways to fall asleep as soon as you hit the sack.

#1: Scent your space

Think aromatherapy. Turn your abode into a scented sanctuary with the help of a stone diffuser and a few drops of essential oils. These oils are known to improve your sense of well-being and impact your mood [you’re getting sleeeeepy]. Try the Frankincense scent from Vitruvi or the Unwind blend from Saje. Alternatively, check out Woodlot’s Palo Santo incense—“holy wood” designed to purify the air (additional perk: it’s a natural mosquito repellent).

#2: Strike a pose

Yoga poses can create a sense of calm. Spend a few minutes working through a sun salutation sequence, or take a pause in child’s pose with deep breaths. Need additional guidance? Luckily, there are yoga studios in almost every Vancouver neighbourhood—YYoga (multiple locations across the Lower Mainland), Semperviva (Fairview and Westside), and One Yoga (Gastown), among them.

#3: Say Om

To go one step further, consider meditation. The mindfulness behind meditation means setting aside the day’s worries and instead, producing brainwaves that support a deep slumber. For a guided session, try a class at Moment Meditation in Gastown.

#4: Refresh to rest

“Make your bed daily, wash your sheets, and maintain a general sense of tidiness,” says mom. And we aren’t reminding you just ‘cause we’re the property manager…a National Sleep Foundation survey found that 75 per cent of the people surveyed get a better night’s sleep when their sheets are fresh and clean—a good enough excuse for us to turn to local company Flax Sleep to freshen up our linens. All in the name of shuteye.

Sweet dreams to all.