Monday, April 7, 2014

Part 1: Sleep Sloundly...



Part 1: simple ideas for a restful sleep…

It’s all too common when we’re under stress or overworked to be remiss 
in caring for our own bodies, or ensuring we take healthy steps towards 
enjoying a restful sleep each night.


Here is part 1 from my list of simple ideas you can try...

1.      Herbal teas that contain chamomile are a simple start. 
Steep the tea for 5 or 10 minutes and sip slowly half an hour before 
bedtime – or use good quality chamomile tea bags.

2.     Cinnamon is a sleep enhancer, too. 
Gently warm the juice of two or three oranges and one 5” stick of 
cinnamon bark in a small saucepan on the stove top. 
Stir in a heaped teaspoon of honey, pour it all into a mug, 
and enjoy. This is wonderful for children! 
Blossom asked for this every night the year she turned 14.

3.     Maintain a regular bed time and wake time schedule. 
Our sleep-wake cycle is regulated by a "circadian clock" in our brain. 
A regular waking time in the morning strengthens the circadian function 
and can help with sleep onset at night.

4.    Just as we have a bedtime routine with young children to help them 
wind down from the activities of the day, so too adults can 
benefit from consistent nightly habits. 
Plan a winding-down bedtime routine for yourself and keep to it for 
a few weeks. It might just be the answer.

5.     A warm bath. 
Is there anything lovelier than a warm bath in winter, seasoned with 
lavender oil?  As you sink into the scented liquid, let your cares drift away. 
Breathe deeply, and give yourself permission to relax.

(make these simple bath salts from the recipe in THIS blog post)

6.    As someone who has to deal with the tropical heat for around eight 
months of the year, I have found that a cold shower before bedtime 
lowers the body temperature enough to prompt the body to sleep. 
In winter we sleep more soundly because the air is cooler, 
and our body relaxes as we warm it, but in the humid tropics it makes 
the body restless and uncomfortable if the room isn’t cool enough.
This is why fevers cause us to sleep so restlessly.

7.     Add a few drops of pure lavender or rose oil to a tablespoon of 
inexpensive unscented sorbolene cream, and rub it into your feet and 
hands before bed – you’ll find it’s almost magical. I resumed this 
treatment myself recently, and can report it’s working wonderfully.

I'll share Part 2 of my list on Wednesday.

If you’re in the mood to stitch some small lavender sachets (perfect for gifts)
 I have popped this sweet little ‘Sleep Soundly’ pdf pattern into my shop as 
an instant download.


I really don’t believe there is anything lovelier or more calming to the senses 
than to hold fresh lavender in your hand and roll the tiny purple flowers 
between your fingers. The fragrance escapes and you find yourself bathed 
in the intoxicating embrace of scented beauty.


These little sachets can be any size you like, and are marvelous for using 
up small scraps of favourite prints or orphan charm squares. 
The elegant pink sachet was made using cotton sateen, but the sweet blue 
was sewn with a leftover piece of quilting cotton. The little beads are added 
very simply using a small safety pin. Make lots and lots…
The pattern is HERE.
Sweet sleep dear friends,
hugs

13 comments:

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Excellent article although I have trouble sleeping, maybe 2 nights a year. Dave used to tell me, "You really should wait until your head hits the pillow before going to sleep." On the farm, I do physical labor and that contributes to a sound sleep.

Jeito Mineiro de Ser said...

Excelentes idéias! Obrigada!
Um abraço!
Great ideas! Thank you!
Hugs!
Egléa

Anonymous said...

Beautiful pattern & does look so easy to do as I'm always expanding my wings. Thank you always, Jenny for inspiring us with great techniques, stitching & the Lords daily words.
Chris Medford, WI USA

Anonymous said...

Thank you Jenny, and these gorgeous lavender bags just the thing to get me back into the embroidery side of craft after a very long time, have bags and threads organised just waiting, in fact travelled with me on a couple of holidays and still waiting, lavender being my most favourite feel good fragrance and always have lavender bags at the ready with one under my pillow to squish when my head hits the pillow. Embroidered ones will make special gifts this year, the beads giving a special touch, I have some amethyst small beads and chips and rose quartz, will be perfect (another favourite of mine semi precious gemstones). Sleep problems no fun for those sufferers, Fortunately it only affects me occasionally. Happy crafting, Judithann :-)

Jenny of Elefantz said...

How beautiful the semi precious gemstones with be, Judithann. We have a lot of them and use them wherever possible in gifts, too. :-)

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Chris, thank *you* for encouraging me. xxx

Cindy said...

I love, love, love that pattern! Lavender is one of my favorite herbs, so I will be getting this PDF. Thanks for the good sleep ideas.

Thoeria said...

Thanks for the sleep ideas Jenny :) I generally have a problem sleeping ...only getting to bed after 12 most evenings....and on the really bad ones I'll take a herbal sleeping tab at 2....so will be giving some of these a try :)

Rosie said...

It really is my birthday soon! LOL!

Jusmom1 said...

Thank you, Jennie. I am going to suggest numbers 1, 2, and 7 to my dear son!

voyance par mail gratuite said...

Congratulations and my courage for you about the incredible achievement of this site that seems interesting and rich info .

Judy D said...

According to your blog this cute sachet pattern is free, but when I go to the link it says it isn't. Can you please explain?
Thank you, nice blog.

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Hi Judy,
No, it’s not free, and I didn’t say that on the blog post either. Sorry if you got the wrong impression. I do give away loads of freebies, but I also have patterns to buy as this is my only income.
Hugs
Jenny