My Essential Tips & Tricks For Ahhhmazing Sleep
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Hey my loves! I get SO many questions from you guys asking about my daily routine, so I wanted to share some essentials from my nighttime sleep routine. I actually became obsessed with sleep a few years ago as I read SO many books and spoke to tons of experts.
The reality is, sleep is super important, not just for your skin but for your general health, too – mind, body, and soul. Poor sleep has even been linked to heart disease and other serious health conditions. When I learned more about the long-term impacts of poor sleep, I knew I needed to make some changes and improve my bedtime routine. Ever since it’s made a HUGE difference to my life; I feel happier, healthier, well-rested, and I have more energy, greater focus, literally, the list goes on and on. The bottom line is, sleep is self-care, and anyone who knows me will tell you I’m obsessed with self-care. Here are some things I love to use and do to help me sleep better…
Clipper Organic Sleep Easy Infusion, $10
Source: Clippers
As I start getting ready for bed, I always sip on the Clipper Organic Sleep Easy Infusion. It’s infused with a delicious blend of cinnamon, chamomile, and other natural herbs that help calm your mind and promote good sleep. Most importantly, it contains valerian root. Usually, valerian tea has a super-strong taste (that I don’t love), but this tea is so yummy – I love it!
If you’re wondering what makes valerian root so special, according to sleep expert and Founder of Nurture To Sleep, Julie Mallon, “Valerian root is the best tea for sleep as it contains natural antioxidants, alkaloids, and gamma-aminobutyric acid, which promote a healthy sleep cycle. It can even help ease muscle pain and will calm your mind.”
Cherries
This may surprise you, but cherries are actually amazing for sleep, so if I’m ever snackish in the evening, I’ll grab a bowl of cherries. Sleep expert, Julie Mallon, confirms, “Cherries are one of the best natural sources of melatonin you can find, so if you’re struggling to sleep, snack on some cherries after your evening meal.” She adds, “If you can’t access fresh cherries, opt for an organic tart cherry juice as this will also boost your melatonin levels.”
Julie explains why boosting melatonin is so important: “Melatonin is fundamental for sleep as it triggers the wake-sleep cycles in your brain, preparing the body for sleep. It’s also one of the most powerful antioxidants.” And we all know antioxidants mean brighter, glowier skin – it’s a win-win!
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Sunshine Throughout the Day
I know this sounds kinda crazy, but getting outside and into the sun throughout the day will help you sleep better at night. Most importantly, getting 10 to 15 minutes of sunshine first thing in the morning is essential as it helps reset your internal body clock. This helps your natural melatonin levels peak at the right time of the day so you can fall asleep more easily at night. Luckily, this is quite easy in Dubai, so during the winter months in cooler climes, try sitting in direct sunlight near a window.
The Calm Sleep App
If there’s one thing I recommend to everyone, it’s the Calm App. Whether you need help falling asleep, decompressing after a long day, or easing your mind (hello 2020?!), it’s just AHHHMAZING. I’m obsessed with meditation instructor, Jeff Waren’s Introduction to Meditation series (it’s 30 days of 10-minute meditation sessions); it’s been a total game-changer for me. I literally love the app so much that we bought it for our entire Huda Beauty fam, from our HQ staff to our amazing BAs across the world. Everyone is constantly raving about it on our Huda Beauty group chat, and it makes me so happy. We’re all big fans of Calm’s Sleep Stories, which are a great distraction when your mind isn’t ready for sleep.
A Hot Bath with Epsom Salts
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I’m completely obsessed with baths and have been for decades! It’s my favorite way to destress after a long day’s work. And as you can imagine, I fill it with loads of oils, salts, and lotions that not only relax my body and soften my skin but also help encourage deep, restorative sleep. One thing I love to add to my bath is Dr. Teal’s Pure Epsom Salt Soaking Solution, $5, as the salts contain magnesium, which works overtime to relax the central nervous system. In fact, magnesium increases a neurotransmitter called GABA in your brain, which encourages relaxation as well as sleep.
Sleep expert, Julie, says, “The absorbency of magnesium in Epsom salts is actually five times higher than a capsule, as it’s absorbed at a much quicker rate.” Another major bonus of taking a warm bath is that it helps lower your body temperature; as the moisture evaporates from your skin after a bath, it helps cool you down. Although Julie says for this to be most effective, “you should take a bath one hour before bed.”
For more expert sleep tips, check out 10 things a sleep expert swears by.
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