Better Sleep

Ok, we get it and we’ve heard it a thousand times, a better night’s sleep is the answer to almost everything. But, if you’re like me, easier said then done. Just like your morning coffee, just like getting ready for a big night out, your bedtime routine should be personal and intentional!

While we all (or should!!!!!) find our favorite jammies, brush our teeth, and jump into bed – sometimes it is not that smooth. Sometimes we fall asleep on the couch with our makeup on next to a bowl of popcorn. Being intentional about a bedtime ritual can help you wake up feeling refreshed and not confused on the couch at 3am with George Lopez playing on the TV.

If you’re with me and ready to take this seriously, here are a couple of our favorite ways to wind down. Feel free to add or subtract and make it your own!

1: Phones down and away about an hour before bed. That means no more mindless scrolling before bed! Not only is the blue light bad for sleep, but all the different posts stimulate your brain and sometimes bring up negative emotions. We don’t need that before bed, put it down.

BONUS: Placing your phone on its charger away from your bedside table ensures when your alarm goes off in the morning there is no hitting snooze before you have to physically stand up.

2: Brushing your teeth and washing your face is a given, but it’s important to add.

3: Drink a big glass of room temperature or warmer water! Drinking any beverage at room temperature or higher encourages relaxation. I love to drink hot lemon water before bed. Not only is it relaxing, but it helps keep me away from mindless snacking. Another favorite warm bedtime drink is the Organifi chocolate gold tea. The ingredients are clean and include turmeric, cocoa and lemon balm to help you relax. Plus it tastes just like hot cocoa!

Organifi Sleep

4: Make sure you have some cozy cozies! Soft, not too tight, not too loose and know if you run hot or cold. Are you the shorts and tank PJ kind or do you need head to toe warmth. All this is important to keep your sleep deep and unbothered.

5: The number ONE best tip ever is Yoga! We have some great slowed down 7:15 pm yoga classes that are absolutely amazing to help you decompress and get you ready for bed. In these classes you’ll learn how to release stress and tension built up during the day guaranteeing you a great night’s rest.

Check out our schedule

If you can’t make it in, below are a couple of our favorite poses to help you unwind.

Quick tip- get into the poses gently, close your eyes, let go of any thoughts, focus on your breath and just be. Stay in each pose for a minute or longer. If you’re eager to learn more get into those 7:15pm classes.

– Reclined Bound Angle (Bring the soles of your feet together with your knees butterflied out wide, lay your head back onto a pillow and place one hand on your heart and the other on your stomach)

– Supine Twist (Pull your knees into your chest and slowly guide your knees to the left, adjust and scoot to stack your right hip on top of your left. Keep your head down on the pillow and take your right arm and gaze to the right – repeat on other side)

*make sure you start with twisting to the LEFT FIRST to maintain good flowing digestion through the night

– Banana Pose (Reach both hands over head then up and over to the right then reaching both feet over to the right as well creating a parentheses or banana shape with your body – repeat on the other side)

– Legs Up the Wall (Scoot your bottom as close as you can to touch a wall, lift your legs making an L shape with your body)

– Dragonfly (Legs still up the wall, allow your legs to fall off to each side creating a ‘v’ shape with your lower body)

It’s drilled in our heads that the more movement and go-go-go the better and I’m sure you’ve heard the term, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” – but this is not good!

>>> To be fully alive, focused, present, and healthy… You must get in your ZZZ’s!

Love that you made it to the end! Hope to see you in class soon 🙂

XOXO

Nicole and Emily