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