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Favorite Things #3: Sleepytime Edition

Let me tell you a little story about an insomniac, cat-lover college student. Or in other words let me tell you a story about ME! Once upon a time, I went to the university of my dreams and completed my first year. Almost every night I slept like a college student….not enough hours, but within those hours my eyes were closed, I was snoring a little bit, the sleep was very deep. I always woke up knowing that I had actually slept the night before, no matter how small the amount of hours was. Well I completed that year and moved back home for the summer. Unfortunately, I slowly developed that little thing called insomnia. That little things that runs in my family. That one thing that keeps you up all night, pulling your hair out and crying because all you want is your mind to be clear and for sleep to overcome you. Yeah I developed a mean case of insomnia. For some reason I could not relax my body or mind. My imagination would run wild. I would shake uncontrollably and get anxiety attacks because I could not get to sleep. I would try reading, blogging, pinning, facebooking, praying. EVERYTHING…but nothing would work. When I would actually get to sleep. It would be a very restless night. Waking up every other hour, sitting there until my eyes were just too tired to stay awake. You know that moment where you just can’t take it anymore? Complete exhaustion and not the good kind. The kind where your body is just so sick. Not the kind where you worked hard that day or had a good run. Yeah if this is making any sense I think you are getting to see how bad this was.

It wasn’t until this one night where I tell you I was up ALL night. ALL night. I had my light on and my mom came in. She asked me what was wrong and I just started to cry and almost scream. I felt like I was losing my mind. This caused my dad to run in and see what was up. They tried to get me to relax but nothing was working. I didn’t sleep that day until like 7 that morning, and even then I woke up at 8:30 and continued my day. So yes, it has been rough 4 weeks?? I’ve been home. Quite rough. BUT don’t worry I have found the solution. I’m not saying this will work for everyone with sleep problems, but it has definitely worked for me.

After that horrible night of exhaustion insanity, my mom and I made a trip to our local Walmart, health store, and bath and body works. I was at the point where I was sick from having ZERO sleep. I was physically ill…or I felt like it anyway. We picked up these babies and I developed a relaxation routine before bed. It has worked miracles.

SO now it is time for DANI’S FAVORITES #3: SLEEPYTIME EDITION!

1. The reason why I called this the “sleepytime” edition. Celestial Seasoning’s Sleepytime Vanilla Herbal Tea.

This stuff is a beauty. It is completely natural and has no caffeine in it. Thank goodness, that is the last thing I need. This stuff has valerian root in it. Valerian root has actually been proven to relax the body and induce sleep. You can get it at a Health Store like GNC.  It smells like cupcakes but it is so soothing and actually pretty delicious. I drink this on nights where I am particularly awake. I brew some up and it completely relaxes me. I got it at Walmart, but I’m sure you can buy any relaxing herbal tea anywhere!

2. Bath and Body Works, Stress Relief: Vanilla Verbena and Sleep: Lavender Chamomile body sprays/pillow mists.

When I went to Bath and Body Works they were sold out of the Lavender Chamomile pillow mists. They had the Lavender Vanilla, but I had already chosen the Vanilla Verbena and I didn’t need double the vanilla. I use these two sprays together. I spray them on my sheets and pillows. I breathe in deeply and I feel relaxed and very sleepy. They do their job and I think they smell SO GOOD. My roommate back at school sprayed these on our pillows during finals. What a sweetie. OH these are the body mists but you can use them as a pillow mist. They are basically the same formula.

3.This is the Stress Relief: Vanilla Verbena body lotion. The link for it is up above with the body mist!

I use this stuff right before i go to bed. I got this for free by the way with my purchase of the two body mists. I use this on my hands and it just adds to the whole relaxation process. It smells good and it does its job. I am quite happy. I also love the quality. They are in glass bottles and they smell amazing and so natural. The lotion is very creamy too.

4. Another thing I did,  was rearrange my room. It looked like this:

and now it looks like this:

I changed my sheets, the set up, the decor. Everything and it has made a difference.

5. Now for my routine. I know it sounds tedious and a waste of time but I promise it works for me. It might now for you, but for me it does. That makes me happy.

First, I drink the tea if I need to.

Second, I wash my face and then moisturize. It just makes me feel a little bit pampered. Routines relax me. I like things to go in order.

Third, I put on the lotion and then chapstick (i hate dry lips)

Fourth, I write in my journal and read and while I do that I listen to this. Weightless is actually known as the most relaxing tune in the world. THEN at the same time I go to http://www.rainymood.com/. GUYS…listen to these both at the same time. You will be so sleepy and ready for bed. It is SO soothing. If that doesn’t work for you, Rainymood has a song of the day. I love it. They usually have Bon Iver’s tunes or other soothing melodies. They have a tumblr that has a lot of songs that you can listen to while on rainymood.

Fifth, I say my prayers and read my scriptures. (IT WORKS)

Sixth, I turn down the covers, fluff my pillows and spray the mists.

Seventh, I cuddle up into bed, breathe deeply, and I get some shut eye.

The past few nights I have slept really well. I wake up like once or twice, but I don’t stay awake like before.

ANYWAY those are my current favorites. If you have a hard time sleeping, maybe try one of these things out. You won’t be sorry I promise.