It’s tempting after a long day, but sleeping in makeup prevents your skin from naturally shedding dead cells and repairing itself overnight. It can also clog pores and lead to breakouts or irritation.
5. Sleeping with a Pet
For many of us, a furry friend at the foot of the bed is the ultimate comfort! As we discussed, the gentle presence of a pet can lower blood pressure and boost oxytocin. However, if your pet tosses and turns, it might disrupt your sleep cycles. It’s all about finding what brings you the most peace.
My Proactive, No-Fuss Habits for Restorative Sleep
You don’t need to overhaul your entire life to sleep better! Here are my gentle, hands-off habits to protect my rest:
✅ The "Digital Sunset": I put my phone on the charger in the kitchen at least an hour before bed. I swap scrolling for a good book or a cozy crossword puzzle.
✅ Pitch Black and Cool: I use blackout curtains and keep my bedroom thermostat around 65°F to 68°F (18°C to 20°C), which is the sweet spot for deep sleep.
✅ The "Zero Hesitation" Rule for Health: If I ever wake up with new, unexplained symptoms (like a sudden change in vision, severe headache, or new bruising), I don’t brush it off as "just aging." I make an appointment and get peace of mind.
The "Avocado Lover's" Bedtime Wind-Down Ritual
Since I have a strong personal preference for avocados and incorporate them into almost every single meal (even though my children absolutely do not share my liking for them, which just means I get to enjoy the whole, glorious batch all to myself!), I also use them to care for my body at the end of the day.
The warm air of the bedroom and the natural aging process can leave our skin feeling a bit dry, making our delicate capillaries more visible. To combat this, I use a simple, 3-Ingredient Bedtime Hand & Arm Balm to keep my skin soft and protected overnight:
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 tablespoon pure, cold-pressed avocado oil: Packed with Vitamin E and monounsaturated fats that deeply repair dry skin and support the health of the tiny capillaries near the surface.
- 1 tablespoon unrefined shea butter or coconut oil: Provides a protective, soothing layer that seals in the moisture.
- 2 drops of pure lavender essential oil: For a calming, spa-like scent that signals to my nervous system that it’s time to rest.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- The Gentle Mix: Place the avocado oil and shea butter in a small glass jar. Warm it slightly in your hands until blended.
- The Calming Drop: Stir in the lavender essential oil.
- The Soothing Application: After brushing my teeth, I gently massage a tiny amount of this balm into my hands and arms, paying special attention to any areas with those unexplained purple blotches. It absorbs beautifully, leaving my skin nourished and my mind completely at peace.
Let’s Fill in the Blank!
I truly hope this little deep-dive into sleep science brings you some helpful insights. It is so empowering to know the simple, science-backed habits that can make our nights more restorative and our days more vibrant.
But I must know—what were you going to say? What is the thing you’ve been wondering about sleeping with?
Drop a comment below to fill in the blank, and I would be absolutely delighted to give you the specific, science-backed facts about it! Until then, stay calm, stay cozy, and I’ll see you in the kitchen (or the bedroom, with a good book)! 💚🌙🛌