Our Life at Home series continues today as we discuss our very important beauty sleep! So many of us are sleep deprived for one reason or another (usually that reason is our children!) that it is important to put thought into how much sleep we are getting and make adjustments when necessary. This week's video shares my top three tips on how I unwind at the end of the day to prepare for sleep:
Make sure you are not overstimulating yourself with media before you go to bed. In general, I like to read for up to an hour before I go to sleep as I find this really helps me calm my mind and settle into a satisfying sleep (that is until I am awoken by one of the little ones!).
Adjust your bedtime if needed (yes, even if it feels painfully early) to get as much sleep as you need to operate well the next day. It could be that in your college years you could easily stay up until midnight or even 1am, but now you're in your 30s with a full time job, more stress and young children. It's time to push up the bedtime (this is my story, by the way).
On those days when you are completely exhausted, go to bed as early as you can. There have been so many nights that I go to sleep at 7:30pm, right after I put the children to bed. These early nights are so necessary every now and then to recharge and wake up energized the next day.
Check out this week's video for more on the subject. If you are unable to see the video above, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or check out my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur
News
Bonjour Emily shares her Ten-Item Wardrobe journey in her latest blog post.
Arushi Nayar from The Water Bakery references my ten-item wardrobe TEDx talk in her article on Minimalism.
Mama's VIB lists Lessons from Madame Chic among her favorite Parisian style books.
The Madame Chic books are recommended reading for those who also loved New York Times Bestseller The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up (a book I highly recommend!)
At Home With Madame Chic comes out this Thursday, March 19th in Poland from Wydawnictwo Literackie. Special blog post announcement to come! Here is one of their charming promotional illustrations for the book. It encourages you to keep in control of your clutter hot spots:
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Madame Chic Inspiring Thought
We live in a fast-paced, wired world where we are always connected... always "on". Feel empowered to disconnect from the shows, the screens and the social media and get some good old-fashioned rest. Make your bedroom a relaxing haven, free from devices and clutter. Make rest and sleep a priority in your life.
Comment of the Week
On YouTube, Me HereToday writes:
I watched your vlog yesterday morning and had planned to spend the day slouching around (have the flu). After watching the vlog I put on a pretty cardigan to make the dress I was wearing, just look that bit nicer, I blow dried my wet freshly washed hair and put a small amount of powder makeup and mascara. Within minutes I received a phone call that I was about to get visitors. Not only did I have time to check the house was presentable I knew I looked good and there was no stress.
Thank you for this timely advice. Today I needed no prompting to look presentable regardless of how I feel.
Thank you for your inspiring comment!
Be sure to enter the Christy luxury bed linen giveaway here.
This week I would love to know... what is your sleep story? Are there adjustments you can make to get a better night's sleep?
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16 comments:
I couldn't agree with you more. Getting good rest is so good for so many things. It also seems to make such a difference in how your day goes. I am inspired by your no devices in the bedroom. We do not have TVs in our bedroom* or house but my husband and I both keep our phones by our beds and use them for our clocks. Now, you've got me inspired to just have a good old fashioned clock! Any good clock recommendations?!
*I learned a long time in one of my psychology classes that a TV or computer in your bedroom does a number on your love life, so I have never liked that idea! :) Besides the fact that it just does not feel completely restful to be where electronics are.
I love my sleep! We're always in bed early, but my other half rises at 5am for work so that's our reason!
Thank you so much for the mention too - it is much appreciated! :)
Emily,
Bonjour Emily
xx
I meant to say and chic, good quality looking clocks! Not the digital looking ones. Thank you.
A good walk during the day almost guarantees me a good night sleep. I miss my walk terribly if I don't get it in.
Naps, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee after a good night's sleep. I love thee after a bad night's sleep.
Naps seem to smooth out all the rough edges. Even a short one can be so refreshing. Naps or siestas used to be traditional in many cultures. It's another unfortunate aspect of modern life that schedules and routines no longer accommodate an afternoon rest. After all, who can guarantee a good sleep every night? Even when I was working, I used to nap during my commute on the bus. What does "nap" spell backwards, if you add a few letters? panacea!
I wish everyone a good rest!
--Alexa
I aim to get a minimum of 8 hours a night, but often get more like 8 and a half to 9. (I'm one of those unfortunate souls who is pathetic on less than 8 hours a night. Having a baby was a huge, difficult adjustment!) My routine is short and sweet. Brush and floss, wash my face (or shower, if I decide to), put on my face and hand creams, take vitamins, and lights out, baby.
Summer Smith, I have a moon beam alarm clock that my mom bought for me from LLBean maybe, gosh, a decade ago? I still love it. You might want to check that out.
I aim for 8 hours a night. My hubby and I have recently started using a guided meditation app to support us in getting into a zen-like state before we drift off. Focused on releasing the day and focusing on being in your bed now and not stressing about what is left to do in the next day. Mindfulness at it's centre. I'm thankful our T.V is broken in the bedroom as I move to getting rid of this completely and having the room as a perfect little sanctuary to support the best night sleep, ready to have a great day.
Thank you Rebecca Sheffield, I appreciate the recommendation and will check it out.
I like to get 8 or 9 hours of sleep each night. Its very true that I don't sleep as well and feel tired the next day if I dont 'wind down' before bed. Reading works for me too. I often like reading a few pages of one of your books as this calms me and makes me feel positive about what I have planned for the following day.
P.S. I live in Australia. I am not writing this post at 2am
Hi Jennifer,
in Beethoven's day the average amount of sleep people got was ten hours - TEN hours! No doubt lack of electric lighting and gadgets made this possible. But I think it tells us most of us are probably sleep deprived most of the time. Seven to eight hours is not for me!
I have to admit that the biggest habit I am trying to break this year is that of staying up late because i do just want some time to myself. I'm aiming to reverse the trend by going to bed earlier and doing yoga in the morning - which definitely makes my life a whole lot better.
I am a bedtime reader, but usually cannot stay awake for a full hour!
Madeleine.x
I have found that when I binge watch something before bed (Game of Thrones, I'm looking at you!), I have trouble falling asleep. Drinking anything with caffeine after 3 pm is bad that way, too. I usually will meditate for a while before turning in, and then I'll read until I'm nodding off. I seldom make it for an hour. I'm pathetic; sometimes I only last ten minutes! I always take a nap after lunch. Even a short one works wonders, as that's the time of day I'm usually crashing anyway. Lastly, I go to bed when I am sleepy. Some nights that may not be until midnight, some nights I feel sleepy at 9. I generally try for 10 pm, as I get up at 5:30 -- not because I have to, but because I can get so much done in those early morning hours before the rest of my world is awake, plus have some time for me -- to do a few exercises, meditate, and check my favorite blogs (like now!)
Hi Jennifer,
Greetings from Poland :) I have already prebooked your book and now I am waiting for it to arrive. Thank you for inspiration and life changing ideas.
My problem is waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to fall back to sleep for several hours. :/ I have found that sleepytime tea, reading (unless I get really into the book and have to keep reading!), and a good walk during the day (preferably outside) help me sleep.
Hi Jennifer, Great post on a subject that so important!
I would love some advice on what to do with a husband that does not value sleep as much and insists on staying up late working, or answering emails. His late to bed, early to rise routine leaves me with less than ideal sleep and I find myself grumpy and inefficient the next day. I have no doubt that it is detrimental to him as well!
How can I tame this beast!?
Thanks, Jennifer, for the inspiration to stop my work activities well before bedtime. I've taken to reading before sleep, too, and yes, you are correct -- it is the best!
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