Part 2: simple ideas for a restful
sleep
Did you read
the first part of this list in Monday's blog post?
If you are struggling with a good night’s
sleep I hope you found something
there that will help to bring you closer to a
normal and
rested sleep pattern again.
If not, you
may find one of the ideas in the second half of my list
to be your answer…
1. De-clutter your bedroom. If the room you sleep in
makes you groan because
it’s constantly messy or over-crowded, it’s definitely
not helping your mood
as you head to bed each night. Let your bedroom be a calm
sanctuary
that invites rest.
2. Don’t watch or read anything ‘exciting’ before heading
to bed.
Instead, make time to go outside and let the cares of the day fall
away;
breathe deeply of the night air; look up at the stars and pray for all in
your home to have sweet rest; listen to the sounds of the night;
let go of
tomorrow’s to-do list; forgive those who have upset you today;
then lights out,
and tip toe off to bed.
3. Do you need a new pillow?
I discovered two years ago
that my pillow was too fluffy and this was why I
woke every day with a stiff
neck. Now I sleep on a very thin pillow and no
longer have any of the neck problems
that left me exhausted each dawn.
4. Many of my children would stave off bedtime because
they were hungry.
I didn’t believe them for the longest time, but when I got
down to the last
couple of kids, I would butter them a plain piece of bread as
they toddled off
to bed and they’d gobble it up and sleep soundly afterwards!
Since then I have learned that a small carbohydrate meal before bed helps
many
people sleep well - even me. If I’m particularly restless, and nothing
else has
worked, I have half a honey sandwich or a couple of plain digestive
biscuits
(cookies) with a herbal tea. It has worked 'many' times.
5. Avoid all caffeinated drinks and foods for four or
five hours before retiring.
I enjoy my coffee, but am strict with having my
last cup at 5pm each day.
Whilst many know that coffee, cola and caffeinated
tea are a no-no before bed,
do you know that chocolate can be just as sleep
objective?
Keep the chocolate bar for daytime treats and choose something fresh
and fruity after dinner instead.
6. Lastly, make the little treat I’m sharing below –
Lemon Posset.
It will definitely assist your night time travels to the Land of
Nod and
those sweet dreams!
I discovered this recipe in Jane Brocket's marvellous book of recipes from children's literature, and it has proved to be a favourite 'comfort' drink for my Blossom ever since.
Lemon Posset
600 ml full
cream milk (about around 2¼ cups)
1 egg, beaten
well
Grated rind of
a lemon
Freshly grated
nutmeg - about ½ teaspoon
3 teaspoons
brown sugar
1 tablespoon
of brandy (or a teaspoon of brandy essence for children)
Warm the milk
until just below boiling point, and remove from heat. Whisk in the lemon rind
and nutmeg.
Whisk in the
brown sugar. Add the brandy or essence.
Add the beaten
egg slowly, whisking as you drizzle it into the milk mixture to avoid the egg becoming scrambled.
Pour the
posset into tea cups or mugs.
Grate a little
more nutmeg across the top before serving.
Sip slowly. And thoroughly enjoy.
I think I'd better go to the fruit shop.
I need lemons to make something...
hugs (oops! I mean, sweet dreams)
