You know that person that nods off in the middle of a meeting? Yep, that’s me!  I didn’t even realize it until my co-worker mentioned it in passing. I was mortified and knew that my late-night tendencies were starting to take a toll. It’s just so hard to unwind from the hustle and bustle of a busy week!

On the flip side, 2018 is moving faster than a speeding bullet and I know you’re tired of the cold and gloomy weather. To help you beat the winter blues and increase your beauty sleep, I’ve rounded up a list of tips. By the time you’ve mastered these things, you’ll be recharged and ready for the warm sunshine!

Help! I Need My Beauty Sleep

Read a book. Opt for a kindle or an actual book. The blue light from your phone is stimulating and will keep you from getting adequate rest.

PRO-TIP: Steer clear of education or skill-building materials. You don’t want to be reading up on social media strategies when you’re trying to get your mind in a relaxed state. A book light is also helpful if your partner is already sleeping.

Drink something warm and soothing. I like a good sleepytime tea, hot toddy (when sick), or cocoa drink. Did you know that all-natural cocoa has no calories and is fat-free?! You add 2 tablespoons of a plant-based milk (I like unsweetened vanilla almond milk) and heat it in the microwave or on the stove until warm. Add the cocoa, a calorie-free sweetener like Truvia, and you have a delicious and soothing, low-calorie drink that’s also good for the heart.

Aid your sleep. Now, I prefer a natural sleep remedy like melatonin or Emergen-zzzz, but sometimes you need something a bit stronger. Tylenol PM has been my go-to lately and gets the job done.

Get in a dream state of mind. Purchase a diffuser. I just picked up one similar to this and love heating up the lavender melts about 30-60 mins before I go to sleep. It makes the room smell heavenly and the lavender makes you feel relaxed.

Jot down your to-do list and any concerns in a notebook. Clear your mind and know what you need to prioritize the next day or that week. This will also keep you from worrying about forgetting something important.

Get 20-30 mins of fresh air daily. Even on your laziest days, you can benefit from some fresh air. I like to walk around my neighborhood or take a walk during my lunch break. It’s amazing how inspired and calm I feel during and after. On days that I don’t do OrangeTheory, a low impact walk helps me sleep more soundly.

Get up and go to bed at the same time every day (including the weekends). Sounds crazy, but it works! I’ve tried this in the past and was shocked when I began to feel sleepy around the same time every night. This is a great way to reset your biological clock and will most likely help your REM cycle, allowing you to feel like you actually slept.

For more self-care tips read:

• Pause & Reflect: Celebrate Yourself aka Self-Care! 6 Ideas
• Bedtime Ritual with Pixi Beauty
• 6 Tips for Self-Care

Last Winter Outfit

Now that we are midway through March, you probably aren’t going to see too many winter outfits from me so I wanted to share this cute ruffle sweater!

Although this look is great for cold weather, don’t think that the ruffle trend is going away anytime soon. I’ve been seeing a lot of lightweight options popping up all over. It’s a great look for spring and fall, and when the cold front comes around again, just add a blouse or tee underneath. If you’re looking for a cute spring option, check out this one. I definitely need to snatch this up!

What tips do you have for getting your beauty sleep?

Shop the post:

Sweater: J.Crew (here & here)| Blouse: UNIQLO | Denim: J.Crew | Necklace: Lace & Pearl Jewelry | Earrings: J.Crew | Bracelet (old): J.Crew | Boots: Naturalizer (similar) | Purse: Club Monaco (old) | Lipstick: Neutrogena MoistureSmooth color stick (Rich Raisin) c/o

📷’s by Hello Rigby