10 Tips To Stay Sane and Reduce Stress During Quarantine

Happy Sunday, everyone!

Hope everyone is staying safe and finding lots of fun and/or productive ways to stay busy during these difficult and strange times that we are in.

I have found this quarantine to be challenging and stressful for many reasons. I do appreciate the freed up time on my hands and have found some things that have helped me when I'm feeling stressed out over everything, and wanted to share some of them with you. Some of these tips are obvious things that one might do during quarantine but some have proven to be very helpful and cathartic for my stress/ type A personality.

Let me start off by saying, this quarantine has me taking more hot, Epsom salt baths than I've taken in years, and I'm not mad about it! 🛁

1. Watching Old TV Shows and Movies

Netflix has to be one of the most obvious things to do. I actually don't watch a lot of Netflix (yet) but I have really been enjoying binge-watching the show Ozark. I spend too much time online and I'm hoping to reduce that and spend more time watching TV and/or Netflix as it's much more relaxing than being online all day and night. I find that watching old TV shows and movies can be relaxing as it takes us back to more simple times "the good ole' days" some might say. Although, you don't need Netflix to watch old shows and movies as some TV channels have plenty of them to watch.

2. Intricate Adult Colouring Books

I purchased a fabulous adult colouring book where there are such small, intricate details in the beautiful artwork. It's a real stress-buster as it takes all of your focus and attention into the process of colouring, being careful to stay inside all of the lines and allowing creativity to flow as you select your own colours from the coloured pencils to create your own masterpiece. This is just what the type A personality needs! Similar book linked here.

See below for a peek inside the book and my 1st unfinished attempt at colouring.

3. Cleaning, Organizing, and Decluttering (Kon Mari)

I love being organized! I believe everything should have a place. As a lover of fashion and beauty products, my collection just keeps growing over time, so I have to keep on top of organizing and decluttering my items. I usually do this every season, but there is no better time than now to make the time for it. I have heard so much about the Kon Mari methods for organizing and decluttering which was created by Marie Kondo and outlined in her book The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up. I use some of her ideas and leave others that don't mesh with me at this time.

Cleaning, organizing, and decluttering are very satisfying for me. My biggest take away so far during quarantine, is that I finally took the time to apply Marie Kondo's folding techniques to all of my tops. I never had the patience to do it properly before. I didn't believe that it would give me more space as I had tried my own take on her folding method and it did not save space and my drawers wouldn't close. This time, I took the time to watch a YouTube video on how to apply her folding method and I followed it exactly. This proved to be very cathartic for me! Since I am not a patient person, it was exactly the right task for me! It takes concentration, time, and patience so it actually becomes like a form of meditation. It was very relaxing for me and very rewarding as it ended up saving me so much space and I can now see all of my tops, so they are all getting used!

See the pictures below with the results of my Kon Mari folding method for my tops.

 T-shirt folded Kon Mari Style

 Above: Short sleeve and long sleeve tops folded the Kon Mari way

I can see everything and I have more space in the back.

Above: Sweatshirt drawer folded the Kon Mari way

4. Use It Or Lose It / Selling Items Without Contact

After decluttering, you will have items to donate, toss or sell. With these difficult times upon us, it never hurts to make some extra cash for your unwanted items.

I have a lot of luck with Facebook Marketplace (my ad is shown below), and Poshmark Canada. Both allow for contactless transactions and are easy to use. When I sell something on Facebook, the buyer sends a free etransfer to my email and we arrange a time for them to pick up the item on my porch.

With Poshmark, you send the items via mail, so I ship all of my sales when I'm at the store and have my mask on per usual when going to the stores these days.

If you are new to Poshmark, you can sign up using my invite code POSHSUMMERGIRL on the sign up page and get a $15 credit! Linked here.

5. Trying New Recipes; Baking and Cooking

I think a lot of people are enjoying baking and trying new recipes now more than ever. We often resort to frozen pizzas but homemade cannot be beat. Below is my favourite pizza recipe. I purchased a thin wholegrain crust and added my favourite toppings: Pizza sauce, mozzarella, feta, sundried tomatoes, black olives, onions and garlic. I ran out of sundried tomatoes and used regular ones this time, it was just as good!

The Dalgona coffee recipe (shown below) is all over social media so I had to give it a try. I found it quite strong, so I will try it again with half of the ingredients.

Homemade Pizza 🤤

Dalgona Coffee

6. Pampering- Hair and Skin Treatments

Now is the perfect time to give our hair and skin some extra pampering. Needless to say, I'm finally getting around to using up a lot of my products that were being neglected, along with my skin and hair!

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, there is nothing like a nice hot Epsom salt bath to relax your mind and body. I like to add some lavender essential oils, my favourite Live Clean bubble bath, and light a candle.

You can take all of the above ideas and create a spa day at home with some relaxation music for the full experience.

7. Exercise, Yoga, Meditation

Now is the perfect time to start exercising- check with your doctor before beginning a new form of exercise. Depending on your health and energy levels, you may want to do some gentle exercises like yoga, walking, or do some HIIT workouts. You can find tons of free exercise routines on YouTube.

Below are 2 of my favourite yoga DVD's. Sara Ivanhoe's Body Makeover has five 20 minute routines using Hatha style yoga, while the Happy Hormones by Ana Brett uses Kundalini style of yoga which is very different from the conventional Hatha style of yoga but has a lot of health benefits, including balancing out your hormones.

There are plenty of fitness DVD's, free YouTube videos, as well as apps for most forms of exercise as well as meditation. I really like the Down Dog app and the Insight Timer app.

8. Makeup Organizing and Decluttering

I know a lot of people online are into decluttering their makeup collections now more than ever. I recently cleaned out my makeup collection and tossed out everything that was expired. I felt bad that I had wasted so much makeup as I wasn't able to use it all up before it expired. But I feel so good that I've now fit almost my entire makeup collection into the makeup organizer shown below. The only items that I am not able to fit into this organizer yet are my palettes and tools.

We may not be able to go to stores yet, but you can still get organizers like this online.

ALMOST my entire makeup collection (minus palettes and tools)

9. Haircuts and Colour

Many of us will have to resort to a DIY haircut. I've been doing my own hair for the last few years and I have some tips and tools to take the stress out of it! Check out my post on how I cut my own hair linked here. I use some tools that make it super easy and simple including the Crea Clip.

I also do my own highlight and base bump! I have a whole post on how I bump my base and tone my hair linked here. Goldwell 10p + 20 volume developer are my secret weapons to toning my hair and bumping my base in 10 minutes!

10. Reading, Hobbies, Crafts, and Games

Some more common tips worth mentioning are starting hobbies that you've always wanted to or ones that you haven't had the time for in a while. Finally picking up that novel or self help book that you've been meaning to read.

Playing cards, board games, and puzzles are also lots of fun and can help relieve stress during these tough times.

Lastly, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the benefits of good sleep (that's a whole other post), music, and sometimes you just need a nice big bowl of your favourite ice cream! 🍨

I hope you found some of these tips helpful.

Let me know what you're doing to have fun, keep busy and combat stress during these difficult times.

Now I'm off for yet another hot bath! 😊

#staysafe

Some links are referral, thank you for the support if you choose to use them!

Everyday Health and Wellness: Focus on Self-Care Without Busting Your Budget

Everyday Health and Wellness: Focus on Self-Care Without Busting Your Budget

Keeping yourself healthy, mentally and physically, doesn’t need to cost a small fortune. You don’t need a pricey gym membership to stay fit or an exotic vacation to relax. Instead, practice everyday self-care strategies that promote head-to-toe wellness but don’t bust your budget.

Get Enough Quality Sleep

While you are asleep, your body heals, your cells replenish, and your brain commits new information to memory. Most experts agree that seven to nine hours of sleep each night is the proper amount for most people. However, according to the American Sleep Association, 35.3 percent of adults are getting less than seven hours of sleep each night.

Chronic sleep problems can lead to fatigue, impatience, irritability, and inability to concentrate. Over time, sleep deprivation affects immunity, metabolism, and weight. Lack of sleep is also linked to diabetes, heart issues, high blood pressure, some forms of cancer, and other diseases. You can reduce insomnia and other sleep problems by exercising regularly, as well as avoiding alcohol, caffeine, electronics, and overeating in the evenings. Talk to your doctor about lifestyle changes, healthy habits, and treatment options that may help you get a better night’s sleep.

Get a Massage Regularly
Stress can cause both physical and mental issues. If you love a good massage to relax and reduce stress, make it a point to get one regularly, whether from your partner or a pro. You can get inexpensive yet effective massages at a massage school. You might also consider purchasing a massage chair, particularly if you have a job that requires physical labor or standing all day. These come in a wide range of prices, but if you search online, you should be able to find some great deals on massage chairs. Additionally, look to sites like Rakuten for coupons and cashback offers to help maximize your savings. If you shop through Rakuten, you may also find deals for stores with free shipping. If all the massage chairs are beyond your budget, take a look at massage seat cushions instead.

Get Into Yoga

Regular yoga practice can improve sleep quality, energy levels, focus, and self-esteem. Physically, it improves balance, flexibility, muscle strength, blood flow, and posture. Yoga and meditation can also help if you are battling depression or anxiety, and can even reduce your risk of heart disease. You don’t need to pay for pricey yoga classes or drag yourself to a professional yoga studio every day. Instead, you can reap the benefits of yoga in your own home thanks to smartphone apps, video tutorials, and streaming YouTube channels.

Say ‘No’ More Often

It doesn’t cost a thing to say “no,” but it can improve your health and wellness. Being busy is often championed these days, but overscheduling yourself can cause health problems and burnout. Feel free to turn down invitations and requests to attend events, volunteer, work overtime, and so forth. There are only so many hours in a day. You don’t need to feel obligated to say “yes” to things you don’t have the energy, interest, money, and/or time to do.

Taking care of yourself — mind, body, and soul — is essential for your overall health and well-being. However, many people think they need to spend a lot of money to practice optimal self-care and healthy habits when, in fact, the opposite is true. A lavish vacation to a luxury resort or a personal trainer at the trendiest gym in town isn't what's standing between you and wellness. In fact, you don’t need to spend much money at all to focus on yourself and your health. Just follow these everyday habits and lifestyle changes to stay happy and healthy without putting a dent in your wallet.

This Guest Post was written by:

Jennifer McGregor

PublicHealthLibrary.org

Photo via Pixabay

Guest post

5 Ways to Integrate Wellness into Your Everyday Routine

If you were wondering what wellness actually is, we can tell you that it’s a state of being healthy, happy, and content while making your lifestyle decisions. Even though it may seem unattainable, the fact is that it doesn’t take much to integrate it into your everyday routines and feel much better instantly. Here are five amazing ways to make that happen, so stay with us and keep on reading!

Start your day in a good and healthy way

Starting your morning routine with a drink that’ll give you an energy boost is highly required, especially if there’s a long day in front of you. One such drink is really simple yet very effective – a glass of hot water with lemon has always been many women’s top choice. Drinking it on an empty stomach can boost your metabolism and aid your digestion during the day, and it’s also likely to brighten your skin and cleanse your liver. 

Smoothies of all kinds are highly beneficial as well, so here’s one quick recipe: mix 1 sliced banana, 200ml of plain yoghurt, 1 tablespoon of honey, and ½ tablespoon of freshly grated ginger. Blend these together until smooth, and drink this fantastic smoothie that can soothe your digestion, nausea, and other stomach issues in no time!

Get massages regularly or even learn self-massageEven though getting a massage was associated with some luxury spas and upscale health clubs, the fact is that these days massage therapy is offered literally anywhere – from hospitals and ordinary spas, to airports and shopping centers. There’s a massage for every pocket, depending on how much you want to spend, and the truth is that it’s one of the best ways to improve your health and overall well-being in just an hour. 

Basically, massage is said to reduce pain, stress, and muscle tension, and it’s also extremely helpful when it comes to anxiety, headaches, insomnia, digestive disorders, and sports injuries. Self-massage can be really practical as well, so be sure to learn how to relieve pain and tension thanks to some useful massage moves.

Be healthy on the inside and beautiful on the outsidePeople always say that you are what you eat, and the fact is that our eating habits play a huge role when it comes to our health. Processed foods we’re eating these days are everything but nutritious – these are filled with artificially added dyes and sweeteners that can do more harm than good to your body. 

So, give your best and switch to healthy eating habits as soon as possible. Start with including more fresh fruits and veggies into your diet. These are rich in fibers, vitamins, and antioxidants, and they’ll surely help your digestion and make your skin look radiant and youthful. Apart from these, you can always take Solgar supplements as well – their advanced antioxidant formula is all you need for skin that’s healthy on the inside and luminous on the outside!

Meditation as the key to a peaceful state of mind

Meditation is one of the best means of transforming your mind that allows you to stay at peace with yourself and your own thoughts, which is why it’s crucial if you want to integrate wellness into your everyday routines. It’s also a fantastic way to fight stress and improve concentration, since it helps you to stay more focused, no matter what you do. Meditation is also highly likely to encourage positive thinking and therefore make you much happier and more content, which is crucial for increasing your self-awareness and creating a positive self-image.

Don’t skip physical activityWe can’t emphasize enough the importance of regular physical activity, so be sure to exercise on a daily basis in order to see some wonderful results. Apart from obvious benefits like losing weight and building muscles, physical activity can also help you combat health conditions such as various heart diseases and high blood pressure. It also improves your mood to the max, even when you’re exhausted after a long day at work, so be sure to give it a try no matter how tired you are. If you aren’t actually up for an intense workout, a brisk 15-minute walk will also do the trick!

All of these five activities are truly amazing and highly beneficial for your welfare, so be sure to incorporate them into your everyday routines as soon as possible. Integrating wellness into your life has never been easier, so give it a try and you’ll see an instant improvement!

About the Author:
Amy Mia Goldsmith is an Aussie blogger in love with fashion, beauty, and style. Her mission is to inform the world of all the things she loves and enjoys. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Amy Mia Goldsmith lifestyle blogger w: highstylife.com e: amy.goldsmith@highstylife.com  ...

Female Beauty: 4 Ways to Keep Your Body in Shape

Female Beauty: 4 Ways to Keep Your
Body in Shape

Media, men and society require women to take care of themselves and look their best. We must invest in ourselves if we want to be beautiful, but you must remember to do it for yourself and not for anyone else.  

There are quite a few healthy choices women can make to feel and look better, from eating habits and regular physical activity to yoga and a little bit of pampering now and then. Just remember to accept who you are, with all your strengths and flaws, because how you think about yourself is reflected into all areas of your life.  

You are what you eat

The first thing you need to do to get in shape and stay fit is to be aware of what you eat. Whether you want a curvy figure or shed excess weight, food plays an important role in helping you achieve your fitness goals. The saying “you are what you eat” could not be any truer. You should begin by being completely aware of what you are feeding your body each day.

Start writing a journal or use online tools like myfitnesspal or sparkpeople. But you have to be completely honest and absolutely vigilant. That means that you should include that handful of chips you munched while putting away the groceries and the stick of gum that you popped into your mouth while waiting at the signal.

The second step is to start eating healthy. This means that the bulk of your diet should consist of leafy greens and healthy snacks such as fresh fruits, lean meats or a handful of dry fruits. You can certainly allow yourself a treat now and then, no need to swear off Belgium chocolate-chip ice cream for life, but you need to limit yourself to a scope rather than a pint.

Avoid fad diets, binge eating, and incorporate nutritious and wholesome foods that will give you the energy to perform your activities throughout the day.  

It doesn’t matter whether you have special dietary needs, healthy nutritious options are easily available.

No pain, no gain

You know the sauna belt they keep showing on TV that you just have to put on and it will melt away the inches while you sleep? It doesn’t work. Nor do any creams or quick weight loss solutions. Or even if they do work, they come at a price – they can affect our health and can be heavy on the wallet.

Exercising is what truly works wonders. Not crazy marathons like spending three hours a day in the gym for a whole week, but short sessions that can easily be introduced into your daily routine until they become a habit. Sure, there are women who have the time, resources and motivation to spend hours in the gym every day, but for most of us average folk, it is simply not sustainable in the long run.

Basic, no-equipment workouts will get you started on your road to having a better body, and are manageable and sustainable. Squats, triceps dips, lunges, push-ups, wall-sits, calf raises, planks and abdominal crunches are some great exercises to do at home. Do three sets of each at 10 to 20 reps for each exercise and try to do them at least once or twice a week. If you want to make some real progress, your exercise program should also include at least 30 to 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise three to five times a week, with some stretching before and after to improve flexibility and help the body recover. You can also try brisk walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, rollerblading, gym classes or a game of tennis or squash.

Yoga

Practicing yoga can help you look more youthful and more radiant well into your old age, proving that the old saying “age is but a number” is indeed true. Regular yoga practice will not only help you achieve inner beauty but physical or outer beauty as well. The peace and wellbeing that fills your mind and spirit through yoga are reflected outward in the form of glowing skin and a lithe body.

Yoga helps lose excess weight and unwanted fat. It improves flexibility and helps maintain proper body posture, which is another essential element that makes you look more youthful. It also aids the absorption of nutrients at a cellular level, thus improving the body functions.

Best of all, practicing yoga regularly has been proven to considerably boost your mood, since it can greatly reduce stress levels, especially when incorporating pranayama or breathing exercises.

“Me” stuff

Pampering yourself and enjoying some "me time" are essential for your mental health and happiness. When you feel less stressed, you look better too. Most of us lead such hectic lives that we often forget to take care of ourselves and indulge a little. This can come in the form of a cup of soothing chamomile tea while we read a chick lit novel or a day spent at the spa, you name it!

Negative reviews at work, messy break-ups, gym and diet slip-ups are all discouraging. We need all the motivation we can get to stay on a healthy track rather than embarking on a marathon of pizza and chocolate.

Pampering yourself and being able to cheer yourself up through a new pair of dazzlingly silver high heels or a mani-pedi will make you look better, feel good and help pick yourself up and get back on your track.

Don’t just take our word for it, look at the stats! Researchers from Bishop’s University in Quebec who evaluated 15 studies involving more than 3,000 people are backing up our claims. The researchers found that those who were more self-compassionate—meaning they were kind to themselves when negative things happened rather than self-critical—also ate healthier, exercised more, slept better and stressed less than those who weren’t.

Doing something is always better than doing nothing. If you slipped up and had a doughnut on your way home from work, forgive yourself and go eat a salad. If you weren’t able to go to the gym today, do jumping jacks in the kitchen while the coffee brews.

If you have missed your yoga class, then a quick stretch before bed will help you sleep better. Keep in mind that your life is in your own hands and you have to make the right choices to stay healthy and happy.

Author’s bio:

Alycia Gordan

Alycia Gordan is a freelance writer who is simply crazy about chocolate. She loves to read and write articles related to health and lifestyle, sometime on health-tech as well. Alycia is also a contributor at BookYogaRetreats.com.

Stop The Stink With Purequosa Organic Cleansing Body Sprays!

I love it when new products come along that make life a little bit easier. Purequosa's Organic Cleansing Body Sprays were created based on the need that we all have from time to time or maybe daily; to freshen up and stay fresh on-the-go! Such a genius idea. The key ingredient, colloidal silver is something that I've kept in my household for years, even my cat takes it!

I'm sure we've all had those days when we need to freshen up but can't get to a shower. Whether it's after a workout or yoga class, riding your bike to work, while travelling or just to freshen up any time of day. We all have those times and this is where Purequosa steps in with their new travel sized cleansing body sprays.
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They promote healthy skin, are eco-friendly, free of alcohol and harmful chemicals, and are handmade in small batches.

Fun fact: One person can save 5,172 gallons of water by replacing one shower a day with Purequosa

The key ingredient in each formula is colloidal silver along with various plant hydrosols. Colloidal silver has so many uses as it's antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory. Since bacteria is what causes odour, using these cleansing body sprays kills the odour causing bacteria resulting in a reduction in odour.

Each of the 3 formulas are made with different hydrosols, making each one unique and beneficial in various ways.

Rain Cleansing Body Spray- 2 oz / $4.95 

Cooling, healing, and hydrating
Calms sun/wind burns and soothes skin
Antimicrobial/Antimicrobial/Antifungal/Antiviral

Ingredients:

- Colloidal Silver 
- Plant Hydrosols - Cucumber, Aloe, and Tea Tree
- Plant Essential Oil - Clary Sage

Coastal Cleansing Body Spray - 2 oz / $4.95 

Cleansing, uplifting, and cooling 
Skin soothing and equipment cleaning 
Antimicrobial/Antimicrobial/Antifungal/Antiviral

Ingredients:

- Colloidal Silver
- Plant Hydrosols - Yucca, Aloe, Eucalyptus
- Plant Essential Oils - Sage

Desert Cleansing Body Spray - 2 oz / $4.95 

Softening, healing, hydrating
Soothes skin, mood lifter, skin anti-aging 
Antimicrobial/Antimicrobial/Antifungal/Antiviral
 
INGREDIENTS:

- Colloidal Silver
- Plant Hydrosols - Yucca, and Eucalyptus
- Plant Essential Oils - Cistus/Rock Flower 

I found the scent of all 3 body sprays to be very subtle and unassuming. They are not overpowering at all and are more like a breath of fresh air.

After using these cleansing sprays for a few weeks, I found that the uses are endless!

• I ended up using them in place of my deodorant and had the same results as I do with my non-antiperspirant deodorant
• I used them to freshen up mid-day and at the end of the day (pits, face, feet, you name it!)
• I'm a bit germaphobic when it comes to my cell phone, so I used them to spray down my cell phone with a tissue ALL THE TIME! This keeps the viruses and bacteria at bay so I not only don't get sick but I don't transfer the germs to my face causing acne 
• I also used them to freshen up my shoes
• I used them to clean my hands when I wasn't near a sink (some hand sanitizers contain harmful chemicals. When using Purequosa instead, I don't have to worry about that!)

Purequosa can also be used to freshen up bad breath and to freshen up your bedding, including your pets! It can also be used on all kinds of sporting equipment. I'm sure I will find even more uses for these handy products with time.

I keep a bottle of Purequosa in my bag at all times. Mr Health and Beauty Girl took over the desert bottle and also used it in place of deodorant and to freshen up during the day. He also keeps it in his bag at all times so he can freshen up whenever he wants.

These new travel size bottles make them perfect to throw into your purse, gym, or travel bag for any time that you need to freshen up a little.

They are also available in full sized bottles which are 16 oz each for $16.95. , you can also purchase bundles of all 3 body sprays in either the travel size or the full-size which are a better value.

You can learn more about Purequosa by clicking here.

*Not sponsored. PR provided for consideration. All opinions are mine.

8 Simple Tips to Get Your Best Night's Sleep!

This post is sponsored by Fabletics. All opinions are my own.

8 Simple Tips to Get Your Best Night's Sleep

While we run around doing many important things during the day, the most important thing of all takes place while we sleep at night. During sleep, our body gets to work regenerating cells, fighting off viruses and infections and repairing parts of our body.

If you get less than 6 hours of sleep each night, your body might not be working at its full potential. It's recommended that adults get 8 hours of deep sleep each night so that their body can restore itself.

Luckily, I have some easy tips that will help you get the most restful sleep imaginable and also help you fall asleep more easily.

1. Avoid Spicy Food and Cheese Right Before Bedtime

This is a tough one for me as I love my apples and cheese as a snack and often times I'm guilty of having it just before bed. But, research shows that spicy foods and cheese can both disrupt sleep patterns. Researchers believe that this is a biological response to foods which the body mistakenly thinks are dangerous. So, if you absolutely must snack before bedtime, stick to healthy fruits and vegetables.

2. Cut Back on the Booze

If you've ever gone to sleep after a few too many, you know how common it is to wake up in the middle of the night feeling dreadfully dehydrated. While some people believe that having a "night cap" will help them fall asleep more easily, alcohol actually inhibits restful sleep as the body struggles to process it through the bloodstream. Sugary alcohol drinks like wine can even result in a sudden burst of energy hours after consumption as the body processes the sugar. I've experienced this myself by waking suddenly only a few hours after falling asleep.

3. Take Up Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to trigger responses in the brain. Certain oils like lavender, clary sage, jasmine, and rosemary have been found to reduce stress significantly and encourage relaxation and deep sleep. Consider investing in an oil diffuser. This device sits on any tabletop and allows you to diffuse essential oil into the air throughout your bedroom while you drift off to sleep. Alternatively, you can place a few drops of your chosen essential oil onto a cotton round and place it next to your pillow.

4. Exercise And Fresh Air

Exercise is a great way to tire yourself out so that your body will be drained enough to fall right asleep. Exercise also reduces stress that can keep you up at night. I personally love HIIT (high-intensity interval training) and hiking. Even a brisk walk in the fresh air outside can do a world of good to relieve stress and have us drifting off to sleep more easily. If I'm exercising closer to bedtime, I love to pop in a yoga DVD. It can be hard to stay motivated, though. A few ways I stay motivated to workout is with cute new exercise clothing, trying out new workout routines, and/or finding a workout buddy.

5. Wear Comfy Clothes

Invest in some comfortable clothes that you can wear while you lounge and sleep. Comfortable clothes that you can wear around the house will keep your body feeling unrestricted, allow proper blood flow and relax your muscles so that you can fall asleep more easily. We've all heard of the current craze over "athleisure wear," and I'm all for it! Who doesn't want to look cute while being comfy at the same time?

Companies like Fabletics offer stylish athletic clothes that are cute enough to lounge around in. Because of the comfortable fabrics, they work great as sleepwear as well. Items like the Analia Short and the Palisades Top are perfect for relaxing comfortably.

6. Drink Herbal Teas

Chamomile and lemon balm teas are two of my favourites to help me unwind before bed. Chamomile tea has been used as a sleep aid for centuries. Chamomile and lemon balm both encourage relaxation of both the mind and body, allowing you to drift off to sleep easily.

7. Take a Hot Bath or Shower

Studies show that sudden temperature shifts make our bodies feel tired. Therefore, try taking a super hot shower or bath right before bedtime. While your body cools off from the hot water, you will feel a sudden sense of relaxation, allowing for a better night's sleep. You can also try turning down the thermostat, which will help with sleep by cooling down your body.

8. Learn How to Let Go of Stress

Even if our body is feeling exhausted, if we have a lot on our mind, it can be very hard to fall asleep. That's why it's important to find a stress-reducing technique that works for you like yoga or meditation. Keeping a notepad by your bed to write down what's on your mind can help free your mind from the worries for the time being. I also find that practising mindfulness by living in the moment can be very helpful. A relaxed mind is much more conducive to a restful sleep.

I hope you find these tips helpful. Incorporating some of these tips into your daily routine should have you drifting off in no time!

Let me know what tips you have to get your best night's sleep!

*This post is sponsored by Fabletics. No affiliate links are used. Always check with your Doctor before beginning new supplements or exercise routines.