take a bath or warm shower with low lights/candles.
a sleep mask or blackout curtains are kind of a must — any light is detrimental to the body finding its natural sleep rhythm.
a slightly cooler temperature also helps, as does (and this is controversial!) wearing socks.
developing a routine can really improve sleep quality. try to go to bed at the same time (+/- 30 mins) every day of the week. same thing with waking up.
try to stop consuming food, content, blue light, and music with words at least an hour before bed. your parasympathetic nervous system is a slow roller — let her take her time! I really recommend an analog alarm clock that runs on batteries and a sunrise alarm during the winter — allows me to leave my phone plugged in away from my nightstand.
counting backwards from 100 helps me turn down the noise in my brain when I’m in bed if falling asleep is an issue.
Jan 13, 2025
Related Recs
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literally can change your life. A sleep mask or blackout curtains are kind of a must — any light is detrimental to the body finding its natural sleep rhythm.
a slightly cooler temperature also helps, as does (and this is controversial!) wearing socks. socks help regulate the body’s temperature as you sleep, if you can stand them.
developing a routine can really improve sleep quality. try to go to bed at the same time (+/- 30 mins) every day of the week. same thing with waking up.
try to stop consuming food, content, blue light, and music with words at least an hour before bed. your parasympathetic nervous system is a slow roller — let her take her time! I really recommend an analog alarm clock that runs on batteries and a sunrise alarm during the winter — allows me to leave my phone plugged in away from my nightstand.
keeping a small dry brush on your nightstand can help you wake up better, too.
counting backwards from 100 helps me turn down the noise in my brain when I’m in bed if falling asleep is an issue.
Dec 9, 2024
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Going to sleep is a whole ritual. Have to wait for the right point in a relationship to bring up my routine because it frightens/baffles them.
Basically I have to trick myself into sleeping because my brain is really alive at all times. No "invigorating" music half an hour before bed, sunset lamp on, double cleanse, moisturiser, eye cream, lip balm, hair oil, silk scrunchie, hand cream, brush teeth, electric blanket on full for ultimate tucking in cosiness then down to 70% for the rest of the night, take inhaler, giant t shirt on, scroll, watch ASMR/listen to guided meditation, three pillow v formation and body pillow, set three alarms, phone on do not disturb, eventually pass out from exhaustion. I have never known peace a day in my life.
Apr 26, 2024
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i’ve finally accepted that i pretty much always need an hour or two (or three) to myself so i can wind down properly before bed. when possible i just try to start that process earlier. so if my goal is to go to bed by midnight, i retreat to my room by 9 or 10. i’ve decorated my room very cozily and in the evenings i only have string lights on so it’s dim and soothing. i shower at night most days which helps me sleep better and is a good reset for my nervous system (and also simplifies morning routine). then i curl up into the cozy corner of my room to watch my shows, play cozy games on my nintendo switch, or read if i have the mental energy. i also like to have a snack or sweet before bed (probs not the best habit but it gives me something to look forward to at the end of the day). if i’m feeling sore from work, i’ll do some stretching and foam rolling which calms me alllll the way down to the point of nodding off sometimes. none of this is consistent but the whole practice of giving myself several hours to wind down slowly in a designated cozy space has really helped me have a more realistic bedtime routine.
Sep 8, 2024
Top Recs from @its_just_kate
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at least casually. don’t delete the accounts but don’t have the apps on your phone either.
rediscover your love of reading thru the magic of recognizing titles strangers are holding on the subway. become a subway reader.
don’t use sound as an escape from your thoughts/feelings/surroundings. grocery shopping without headphones is actually kind of beautiful!
pick up a new hobby or two or three. one of them should be something you’re not good at, and at least one should be no- or low-cost.
never. stop. learning. the library, the parks and rec department, and nearby museums offer great materials already but also usually have free lectures or courses.
go outside more. like, a lot more.
(took this much less literally, so apologies if it’s not what you’re looking for lol — as a narcoleptic I have no tips on how to Not Sleep since Sleep is basically my job)
Sep 30, 2024
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destined in the stars
Jan 1, 2025
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keeps it funky, keeps it fresh! a book for outside, a book for downstairs, a book for bed, a book for the subway, a book for the bathtub…..
Nov 30, 2024