BUT I ACTUALLY HAVE ONE THAT COMES BEFORE SUNSCREEN.

In fact, it comes first in LIFE.

SLEEP.

I swear to Pixy sleep is seriously my best kept beauty secret.

Before you say ya, ya, ya, everyone says that…wait. I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY mean that.

If I don’t sleep, I do not look the same. I do not act the same. My eyes are dull. My smile is faded. I can’t concentrate. Etc.

I actually like 9 hours of sleep. If I’m lucky, ten.

I’m not one of those people who thinks it’s commendable not to sleep. Or is like impressed when people say they got ‘six hours of sleep.’

In fact, I actually feel bad for people who think it’s cool not to sleep.

I NEED TO SLEEP.

If I don’t have to be up early, I won’t set an alarm. Why?

Because I like my body to wake up naturally. My body tells me how much sleep I need. On weekends, I wake up when my body wakes up.

If that’s at 6 am that morning, great.

If it’s at 10 am, great.

I’m not someone who believes you have to wake up at the same every morning.

The other day I didn’t get enough sleep & I just don’t look the same. I look off. I can’t explain it.

Does anyone else know what I mean?

Here’s some sleep tips I’ve picked up along the way:

1.) Sleep mask.

I live and die for my sleep mask. You guys may laugh but I swear it allows me to sort of meditate. This one is favorite lately. It’s pink & frilly & girly but totally gets the job done, ya know? It’s kind of like a black out shade…for my eyes.

2.) Invest in a quality mattress/pillows.

Here’s the deal: you’re sleeping on this for 7 to 9 (or 10) hours a night, every night, for years. So it really doesn’t make sense to me how girl’s will invest in a pair of $500 dollar shoes, but skimp on the mattress. I like my mattresses quality! Recently Michael & I moved in together & got a mattress from Sleep Innovations. This is a huge deal that we decided on the same mattress because we are opposite. He likes cold, I like hot. He likes black, I like white. I like hard pillows, he like soft ( ew ). So when we found a mattress we both liked? JAZZ HANDS! This one works well because when it’s delivered it’s rolled up ( sooooo convenient!). You simply unroll it & VOILA!

I have such bad allergies & I swear my allergies have gotten sooooo much better after investing in this mattress. Plus the chihuahuas love it because it’s not too firm, but not too soft. I’m also big on mattress toppers. They seriously make all the difference. This oneis my favorite because you feel like you’re sleeping in a cloud…heaven!

Also PILLOWS. I’ve slept on uncomfortable pillows way too many nights throughout my life. Since sleep is such a priority now, I stepped my pillow game up. These ones are AH-MAZING. They align the head so there’s no strain ( perfect for someone with a bad neck/back ) & it kinds of customizes to how you sleep.

3.) Reading before bed.

Instead of watching TV or going on Instagram ( heyyyy blue light ), I have been reading. I find reading with the light on works better than reading off my iPad. Because iPad light is just hard on my eyes. My latest book is: The Japanese Art of Tidying. Reading is my way to relax and shut my brain off ( aka take my mind off work ).

4.) Tea & Melatonin.

I am a huge tea drinker before bed. Obviously something calming is best. Lately I’ve been all about lemongrass tea. YUM. Also, for the past six months I take one melatonin before bed and I find it helps me sleep better. Some benefits of melatonin are (will add benefits after research).

5.) Essential oils.

I will do a full post on this because it’s like a book but lavender is everything for sleep!! I swear by it. I spray it on Michael’s hair, the pillows, the chihuahuas, the sheets, etc. It’s so calming & smells wonderful. Plus it’s natural & has calming properties. Perfect before sleep.

What’s your sleep tricks/sleep habits? Spill.

xx, lauryn

book | claw slippers | sleep mask | tee | pj pants

{ pics via }