How to get a better night's sleep...

I am a reformed insomniac - when I was younger I struggled a lot with sleeping. I mean full on, several days where I didn't sleep, and you turn into someone from the walking dead. In more recent years I have got better, and as such I am intensely precious about sleeping, and getting the best nights sleep that I can.

There are certain things I've learned over the years to get the best nights sleep possible, and I thought I'd share them with you..

• GET COMFY: Get your bed to be in the comfiest state possible, get your nicest sheets on, put your comfiest PJ's on (mine are currently this adorable rabbit t-shirt and shorts set from Next) with my lovely Christy bedding. 

• PAMPER TIME: I find that it's really nice to spend some time by yourself. I know that's sometimes difficult in an time of constant contact, of smartphones & social media. I find it amazing to turn your phone off, paint your nails, have a bath, put a face mask on or slather yourself in moisturiser. This will help adjust your internal clock too, as there is a wavelength in the blue light that comes from a laptop or smartphone that can affect your circadian rhythms. 

• AROMATHERAPY HOUR: There is something weirdly calming about smells, isn't there? I find the the best thing is this beautiful tobbacco & patchouli candle, which smells wonderful, and the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate facial oil does the trick also (it must be all those lovely smelling essential oils, as it sends me off to sleep every time.

• RELAXING READING: Similarly to pampering yourself, I highly recommend just reading something before bed (not your Twitter timeline, either) - it relaxes the brain and mentally quietens your brain for sleep by making you concentrate. I particularly like these little black classics from Penguin, as they're interesting enough, but short enough to not feel guilty for falling asleep on.

• KEEP IT DARK: I've recently discovered the use of a sleep mask, and I'm hooked. I never really understand these, particularly as I used to not be able to sleep without background noise or something to listen to, and always thought they were kind of stupid. However my mum knocked me this one up to see if I could get some use out of it and amazingly, I love it. I think it's also a mental thing, like telling my body, it's time to sleep now, but it works... 

How do you get the best nights sleep?

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