Is anyone else not sleeping... or is it just me?
I keep reading that we’re all supposed to be getting eight hours of blissful, uninterrupted sleep a night. Which sounds marvellous — but also vaguely fictional. I mean, I have three small children, a never-ending to-do list, and a body clock that seems to think 3am is a brilliant time to remember the name of that obscure thing I forgot to pack in the school bag.
Add in summer, with its beautifully long evenings and suspiciously warm bedrooms, and sleep suddenly feels like an exclusive club I’m not on the list for.
So, in the spirit of survival and shared sleeplessness, here are a few of my favourite natural remedies and bedtime rituals that genuinely help — or at the very least, make the whole experience smell significantly nicer.
The Sun is Your Frenemy
Summer is gorgeous, but it’s not great for melatonin. Those long, glowing evenings can trick your brain into thinking it’s still lunchtime. Add in the rising temperatures (goodbye cool, cosy duvet) and no wonder we’re all lying there like overcooked linguine.
Scented Rituals That Work (And Smell Divine)
Aromatherapy isn’t new, but it is magical. I start every night with our Pillow Mist - just a few spritzes and the whole room shifts. My brain, which was previously busy reviewing tomorrow’s lunchbox contents, goes quiet. It’s like telling your senses, “We’re done now. Let’s wind down.”
For extra points, I spray the sheets with our Natural Bed Refresher - not strictly necessary, but it makes the whole room smell like a spa and tricks me into thinking I’m living a much more restful, eucalyptus-scented life than I am.
Magnesium Is the Real MVP
My secret weapon? Magnesium Mist. A few sprays on tired legs or tight shoulders before bed, and it’s like your muscles exhale in relief. Honestly, if I could bathe in the stuff, I would. On particularly restless nights (read: any night during a heatwave), it’s the thing that helps me finally nod off.
Essential Oils That Actually Help
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Lavender – The classic for a reason. It’s like sleep in scent form.
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Roman Chamomile – Gentle and calming, like a lullaby in a bottle.
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Peppermint – Surprisingly useful if you’re feeling foggy or sniffly.
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Clary Sage, Sandalwood & Lemon – Also lovely, and very good at making people think you’ve got your life together.
I keep a bottle of our Deepest Sleep Pulse Point Oil on my bedside table and apply it like I’m in some sort of bedtime advert. (It helps. Even if no one's watching.)
Little Habits That Make a Big Difference
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No coffee after midday (I know, I’m sorry).
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Screens off an hour before bed (even the nice kind with recipes).
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Earlier dinners if you can.
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A bath with some good deepest sleep bath foam, a book, a breeze… anything that makes your brain say “ahhh” instead of “let’s reorganise the garage.”
So here’s to sleeping better, or at least smelling like we are.
Sending you restful nights, cool sheets, and the faint scent of lavender drifting through the air.
Sleep well,
Bella xx
