Part 2: Sleep Soundly...

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)

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