There’s nothing quite as transformative as a good night’s sleep. I know this not from theory, but from hard-earned experience. For years, sleep was the one puzzle I couldn’t solve — and night after night, I’d lie awake feeling more desperate than the last, watching the clock tick toward morning.
The turning point came after one especially rough season when insomnia seemed to take over my life. What started as the occasional restless night spiraled into an exhausting cycle of dreading bedtime, waking up at 2 a.m., and watching my energy — and joy — fade away. I was tired all the time, irritable, and living in survival mode. So I made a choice: I would learn everything I could about sleep and finally reclaim my nights.
After deep dives into research, trial runs of every supplement and sleep tracker under the sun, and tweaking my environment and habits, I finally pieced together what I call my sleep toolkit. These small, thoughtful shifts now help me fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and — most importantly — wake up actually feeling rested.
And no, I’m not immune to the occasional off night (we’re all human), but the difference now is that I know exactly how to get back on track. If sleep is something you’ve struggled with, or if you just want to deepen the rest you’re getting, here’s what works for me.
1. Build an Evening Ritual That Feels Like a Treat, Not a Chore
Sleep isn’t something you can “hustle” into — it’s a slow transition, and your body needs the right signals to ease into it. My evening routine is the foundation of it all, and more than that, it’s something I genuinely look forward to at the end of the day.
Here’s what my nights look like:
- A hot bath to unwind my body and shift my mind out of “go mode.”
- Phone off, lights dimmed. Digital detoxing in the evening is essential for me. I’ve learned the hard way that my brain won’t slow down if I’m scrolling right before bed.
- A cup of warm cacao or herbal tea in my favorite mug.
- Pulling the blackout shades closed so the room is cave-like.
- Curling up in bed with a novel until my eyelids grow heavy.
These small rituals — the warm drink, the soft lighting, the scent of a candle — are cues for my brain that it’s safe to let go of the day.
A few favorites from my routine:
A calming cacao mix in almond milk, my Kindle Paperwhite (loaded with novels, never productivity books at night), and a silky eye mask that’s become non-negotiable.
2. Cool the Room, Calm the Body
Temperature is one of the sneakiest factors that can sabotage sleep, especially for women navigating hormone shifts. For me, anything above 65°F is a recipe for tossing and turning, so I make a habit of turning down the thermostat before slipping under the covers.
Lightweight, breathable fabrics are also part of my sleep equation — and ever since discovering washable silk pajamas, I’ve noticed a huge difference in staying comfortable all night long.
3. Break Up With Screens (at Least Before Bed)
The single most effective change I made? Setting a strict no-screen policy in the hour leading up to bedtime. Our phones, laptops, and TVs emit blue light that disrupts melatonin production, making it harder for our bodies to know it’s time to wind down.
I charge my phone in another room entirely, rely on an old-school alarm clock, and keep a notebook beside my bed. If something pops into my head — a task, an idea, a reminder — I write it down and let it go, rather than spiraling in mental to-do lists.
4. Support Your Body with Supplements (If Needed)
While supplements aren’t magic pills, the right combination can be a gentle nudge toward better sleep. After much experimentation, I’ve settled on a natural stack that helps me fall asleep smoothly and wake up refreshed, without that dreaded morning fog.
Every person’s body is different, so it’s worth being intentional about this part — talk to a doctor or do some self-research, but when the mix is right, it can be a powerful support system.
Why It’s Worth the Effort
Sleep is more than just rest — it’s the foundation for showing up in the world as your best self. Whether it’s your physical health, emotional resilience, creativity, or productivity, everything begins and ends with how well you sleep.
These days, I guard my sleep routine like it’s a sacred ritual. The reward is waking up feeling clear, grounded, and ready for whatever the day holds. Life is simply too full of beauty and meaning to stumble through it half-asleep.
So here’s to reclaiming your nights — one small change at a time.
