Monday 21 September 2015

How to ... Sleep

When you wake up and you've had 4 hours sleep because you just kept tossing and turning and getting more and more frustrated, getting up feels like the worst idea on earth. Then because you associate getting up with the day ahead, the whole day seems like the worst idea in the whole solar system. And having your day ruined with negative attitude and grumpy mumbling just because you had no sleep is the worst idea in the Universe !

So... I think I made my point. Sleep !

"But how Marianne ? I try but I just can't !!!! " I hear you cry. Well don't worry , I worked it out ;)

Sleeping is really important so that you have enough energy to make the day ahead of you feel worth doing. I really struggle getting enough sleep sometimes so I've spent quite a bit of time working out how to make sure I get enough sleep so that I can carry on bouncing around and most probably annoying the hell out of people the next day hehe :) So here are my top tips on " How to... Sleep ! "



Step One : Cleanse, tone and moisturise. It only takes a few minutes and it's so much nicer to wake up when your eyes aren't stuck together by yesterdays Mascara ! If you're feeling lazy keep a bottle of  Garnier Micellar Water next to your bed :)

Step Two : Get into a nice routine. You have to actually keep doing this one for it to work but it is worth it I promise. For me , I make sure I'm in bed with my make up off and everything sorted for the next day by ten o'clock. Then I turn my phone off and read or colour ( whatever relaxes you just try to avoid tv or using your laptop ) for half an hour . At half ten put  my book down and go to sleep ! Simple :)

But what about before the routine starts to kick in and you just can't get to sleep ? Don't worry I have steps for that too ;)

Step Three : Make your bed as comfy as possible. Have as many pillows as you like and arrange a nice hot water bottle help you feel nice and cosy ! While we're on the subject of hot water bottles, am I the only one who hugs the hot water bottle rather than just putting it at the end of my bed to warm the bed up? Let me know in the comments aha :) To make my bed comfy I actually sleep with two duvets, one underneath me and one on top. One is a thin duvet and the other is thick so if I get too cold or hot I can just switch them around :)

Step Four : Your room should feel like a safe place so that you can relax completely to sleep. I get quite nervous at night and that can make it difficult to sleep so found a few things that helped me :)
  • Background noise. When you're tired and a bit anxious it's easy to think your hearing noises around the house and because you're probably not at your most rational at 1 am .. it's easy to tell yourself that it's an axe murderer who's just killed off your entire family, is holding your cat hostage and is now coming for you .... alternatively it could just be someone in the house getting up to have a wee. I'm going to take a guess here and say that the someone having a wee situation is more likely so to avoid you charging out into the landing to rescue Mr Fluffykins and avenge your families deaths , I have a solution ;) My lovely best friend bought me a box set of The Big Bang Theory DVD's about 10 months ago and I genuinely have a disc on every night while I fall asleep and it really helps ! You can also buy apps that make white noise but I don't use them so if any of you do and can recommend a good one in the comment then I'm sure some people would find that helpful :)
  • Invest in some fairy lights ! If you've not scared of the dark then they're pretty and will definitely make you happy. If you are scared of the dark then they will do all that and make enough light for you to be able to see your room but it won't be so bright that they keep you awake .
  • If you're a quite an anxious person generally then pop some lavender oil on your pillow and it's amazing how to it helps you relax and fall asleep. You could also use Rescue Remedy Night and that will relax you and make you a bit drowsy so every once in a while when you're stressed out and can't sleep I would definitely recommend that !


Step Five :  Make sure you take a drink to bed with you. Some people find it calming to have a hot drink with them ( I've got a really yummy hot chocolate recipe up soon ) or milk is good for helping you sleep because it has an amino acid in called Tryptophan . But I just take up a glass of water with ice in because I often wake up feeling really dehydrated in the night . On that note also make sure you have a wee before you get into bed because it's really no fun to have to get up again once you're all comfy and cosy :)

Step Six : If all else fails and it's just not working then get up, walk around the house for five minutes, send a cute text for someone to wake up to and plan out the next day in your head . Then try again ! There's no point getting yourself wound up and frustrated :)

I hope this helps some of you :) It's very hard to be positive and looking forward to the day if you're tired so give a few of these a go and let me know what works for you ! Or if you have any more tips I'd love to hear them in the comments :)

Stay Strong <3 Stay Smiley :)

Lots of love, Marianne xxx



26 comments:

  1. I love this post! i never get to sleep, so i will try out a few of your tips!
    Thank you so much for these, i am so grateful!
    ~basicallychloe x
    dont forget to smile!
    www.basicallychloeblog.blogspot.com
    Have a great day, thanks again x

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    1. Aww I really hope your sleep patterns improve soon !

      lots of love, Marianne xxx

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  2. Congratulations on 100 Bloglovin' followers! Thanks for the suggestions!
    I'm completely with you on the fairy lights, other alternatives that've worked just as well are glitter/lava/star lamps!
    Also, eye masks and ear plugs work a treat!

    TheDonkeyInvasion - A Bookish Blog!

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    1. You noticed before haha ! Thank you :) I love fairy lights I think they just give a nice glow that isn't so bright it keeps you awake :) I love the idea of using star lamps :) I used to always sleep with an eyemask on and it really helped ! Great tips, thank you :)

      lots of love, Marianne xxx

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  3. You literally write the best posts - loved this! As always xx

    Sophiejc.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Thank you so much ! That really means a lot to me :)

      Lots of love, Marianne xxx

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  4. I need to try some of these, I often have problems falling asleep...I think I should stop blogging before I go to bed:) because that makes my mind more active...anyhow, great post and writing!

    http://modaodaradosti.blogspot.ba/

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    1. Aww well I hope they help :) Yes, if you look at a screen before bed the light most tv and laptop screens is similar to the sun and it tricks the mind into thinking it's time to be awake, that's why blackout curtains are so good :)

      lots of love, Marianne xxx

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  5. These were seriously the best tips Marianne! I only get between 5 to 6 hours a night because of my crazy schedule so I need every second I can get but sleep time is when my brain likes to think! I love the idea of using lavender and I've definitely been guilty of not washing my makeup off and HATING the way my skin feels the next morning. Loved these, always love your posts, such an inspiration to me! Lots of love your way my gorgeous friend! XO -Kim

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    1. I'm so glad you like them :) Ouch, that must be tiring ! Lavender is brilliant to help you sleep and if you feel like you desserve a treat take a bath with the Lush Dreamtime Bath Melt just before bed , I promise you'll fall straight to sleep ... although hopefully not while you're still in the bath incase you drowned and then I don't know who I'd blame for encouraging me to spend all my money on the wonderful stop you show us on your blog hehe ;) Thank you so much, your comments are always so so and they always end up in my positivity book !

      lots of love, Marianne xxx

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  6. I loved this post so much! :) What I find worst about not being able to fall asleep is how frustrated I get - I keep thinking about how tired I will be the next day and how I should REALLY be asleep which is a vicious circle because it means that I'll be even less likely to relax! So what I usually do when I notice myself getting frustrated is to tell myself that theoretically, I could be awake all night just staring at the ceiling and although that would be pretty rubbish, it wouldn't exactly be the end of the world either. Somehow that always helps me relax because it stops me stressing out about not being able to fall asleep :) xx

    blogjustabubble.blogspot.com

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    1. I can completely relate to that, I used to get so stressed by it that I'd call my best friend and wake her up because I'd work myself up convincing myself I'd never sleep at night ever again and then be rubbish and miserable in the day but in the end I've learnt to get myself into a good routine and if it's just not working that night then get up and wonder about before trying again :)

      lots of love, Marianne xxx

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  7. I've so been needing this!! I haven't been able to sleep lately. I just get so lost in the idea of the most random things and before I know it's 1 in the morning. Tip number 2 really works :D I used to go to sleep at 10 every night because it became a habit of mine and before I knew it I was getting tired by 10 and falling asleep as soon as I laid down but ever since summer started I jacked up my entire schedule and now I sleep at the most random time. Hopefully I'll be able to pick that routine back up again :) I also really love your last tip! That is so cute and such a nice way to end your day :) <3 I will definitely be keeping these tips in mind :) I hope you have a lovely day Marianne x

    http://crystallizeddaisies.blogspot.com

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    1. I'm happy it came at the right time for you ! I couldn't have my favourite American blogger getting too tired and not being able to post now can I ? ;) I'm really looking forward to when I'm just magically tired at 10 hehe ! I think a lot of people get really stressed when they just can't sleep and it's important to do what you'd do with anything else and just give it a break and come back to it five minutes later :)

      lots of love, Marianne xxx

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  8. Such lovely tips! It's such a struggle to go to bed sometimes, thank you for your thoughtful and helpful tips love! xxxxx

    www.romantiquely.com

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    1. Thank you ! I hope they help you in some way :)

      lots of love, Marianne xxx

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  9. I love these tips. Never thought of using lavender oil, but I always feel really anxious when I go to be so definitely going to give it a try. Looking forward to the hot chocolate recipe too :)

    Katie xox

    http://katiecupoftea.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. Lavender oil on your pillow is the best thing I ever learnt to do as far as sleep is concerned ! I enjoyed making it, I hope you guys like it as much as I do :)

      lots of love, Marianne xxx

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  10. I should show this list to my boyfriend, he has THE WORST time trying to fall asleep (whereas me, I'm out like a light no matter what!)

    ~Lor @ cozycomfyhome.com

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    1. Aww I hope they help him a little ! Honestly just cover his pillow in lavender oil he'll be straight off to sleep :)

      lots of love, Marianne xxx

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  11. Oooh, this is such a great post that I had no idea I needed! I sleep around 10-11 most nights, which would be fine if I didn't have to wake at 5 everyday. Hahaha! I love incorporating background noises when I go to sleep! They usually last 20 minutes but they are so helpful for me to fall asleep <3

    xx Bash | Hey Bash | bloglovin'

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    1. Thank you so much ! Oh gosh that must be exhausting :) I can't sleep without background noise :)

      Lots of love, Marianne xxx

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  12. What a good idea for a post! I too, like to have everything organised the night before and try my best to stick to a routine of getting my make up off, cleanse tone and moisturise. Life can be pretty hectic and sleep is important- thanks for reminding me to stick to good habits!

    Lots of love,
    Catriona xx

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  13. Thank you ! I'm so glad you liked them :) I'm the same, Im awful for just hoping it comes off in the shower ! Thank gosh I'm not the only one hehe :) Lavender oil is brilliant I recommend it to EVERYBODY !

    Lots of love, Marianne xxx

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  14. Thank you ! I feel so much better when I know every things organised and I don't have to stress about the next day :) I find as long as you cleanse tone and moisturise morning and night then you're skin can't go too far wrong !

    Lots of love, Marianne xxx

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  15. GO CHECK OUT THE TWITTER PAGE RIGHT NOW! I RECOGNIZED YOUR HANDWRITING ON A NOTE THAT SOMEONE'S PUT UP!

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