Dreamy Nighttime Routine: How to Relax & Unwind Before Bed
Like applying skincare prior to makeup, a nighttime routine is a necessary prep step to ensure a smooth night’s sleep. Since sleep is a vital biological function to support memory, productivity, metabolism, immunity, heart health, and more, it isn’t just a luxury, it’s a necessity.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), experts recommend that adults get between 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Interestingly enough (though perhaps not surprising), studies reveal that 28.3% of men and 27.2% of women 18 and up sleep fewer than 7 hours a day. Regardless of whether you fall into the <7 hours of sleep or >7 hours of sleep category, quality is most important, NIH reports.
So how do you ensure you’re sleeping soundly? Well, that goes back to the sleep routine. And because any good bedtime routine never includes stress, we’re here to take the stress out of figuring out what can help you unwind. Try these pre-bed rituals to help you catch only the highest quality Zzzs once you tuck yourself in each night.
Meditate
Dr. Nicholas Perricone suggests meditation as an optimal way to unwind before bed. It’s the perfect antidote to tension after a long day, especially for anyone who leads a busy life. Known to reduce stress and improve sleep, a pre-bedtime meditation will have you snoozing soundly while providing many other physical and cognitive benefits (think lower blood pressure, better focus and improved memory).
Do a soothing face mask
Soothe your skin and calm your mind simultaneously with time to kick back and mask. Cold Plasma Plus+ Concentrated Treatment Sheet Mask is a fuss-free way to renew and revitalize your skin before bed without having to wash anything off. Simply apply the 2-piece sheet mask for intensely replenished skin in 20 minutes, plus reduced dullness, uneven texture, uneven tone, discoloration and loss of firmness over time. Massage the remaining product into your face and neck.
Take a warm bath or shower
For full-body tranquillity, there’s nothing quite like a warm bath or shower. The Sleep Foundation recommends taking a warm bath or shower that’s between 104 and 108.5 degrees Fahrenheit to experience the “warm bath effect” one to three hours before bed. Research suggests that doing this will help regulate your body’s temperature and, in turn, help you fall asleep faster and improve sleep quality.
Drink a hot cup of tea
You know that calm sensation that falls over you as you’re drinking a hot beverage? Well, it isn’t just in your head. In fact, the heat helps expand your blood vessels, which increases blood flow and relaxes your muscles. When opting for tea, in particular, we love chamomile and lavender teas as they can help further relieve stress and promote sleepiness. No matter which you choose, make sure it’s decaffeinated.
Oh, and bonus — that hot cup of tea won’t just help you sleep soundly, it has benefits for your skin, too. According to Dr. Perricone, “[tea] can block the damaging and age-accelerating transcription factors that promote disease and wrinkled sagging skin” so you can maintain a radiant, youthful-looking complexion.
Prepare your skin for sweet dreams
No matter which of the above you choose to help you unwind, a non-negotiable in a nighttime routine is replenishing skincare. One product we can’t go to sleep without is our High Potency Retinol Recovery Overnight Moisturizer. It’s a rich, ultra-nourishing moisturizer that works to support your skin’s natural overnight recovery and renewal process. It delivers intense hydration to thoroughly revitalize skin and protect its moisture barrier for a firmer, smoother, more rested complexion by morning.
Now, bedtime routines shouldn’t be stressful, so don’t worry about checking all of the above off your to-do list in one night. Instead, choose the ones that feel right for you and consider multi-tasking. Whether mask while you bathe or drink your tea while you do your skincare, helping yourself unwind doesn’t have to take all night.
