Doing a few small things well – think micro adjustments – and doing them consistently is ultimately the path to a healthier life.

I have been exploring a more gentle model of renewal, based on continual tiny improvements. In the last few years, sleep has challenged me. I’ve been experimenting with ways to fall asleep faster, sleep without interruption, and wake after feeling replenished and restored (versus groggy). Today I am sharing some sleep tips I have learned along the way.

Healthy Sleep for a Healthy You 

You may be surprised at how much sleep affects your health on a day-to-day basis. Improving your sleep can work wonders for your mood, mental clarity, immune system, exercise performance, and even weight. Many studies have shown that those who sleep less than 7 hours per night tend to weigh more and eat more calories throughout the day.  If there is a health marker you are particularly interested in improving, addressing the quality of your sleep will help. 

With better sleep you will…

• burn more fat
• build more muscle
• your skin and hair will be better
• your memory and cognition will improve
• cravings will be lessened
• you’ll be happier and in a better mood
• and you’ll greatly reduce your risk for illness and disease

Creating healthy habits centered on getting high-quality sleep (and enough of it!) can be incredibly powerful for your overall health and wellbeing. 

Better Sleep; what exactly does it mean?

I often talk about better sleep, not just more sleep! The key factor with sleep is… deep, restful sleep.

Not sure what to do to improve your sleep? 

• Aim for 8 hours of sleep each night It is more important that you prioritize getting a full 7-9 hours of sleep per night than waking up at any particular time. Being an early riser isn’t important if it means you are just getting 6 hours of sleep or less.
• Avoid caffeine after noon each day Switch to an herbal tea, or a green tea, with less caffeine.
• Practice a nightly routine Keep your phone out of the bedroom, no screen time 2 hours before bed and avoid late-night snacking. I find drinking a warm cup of tea, phone-free, calms me and prepares me for sleep.
• Set a morning routine Rising naturally with light can help make your mornings a little bit less painful. A sunrise alarm clock is designed to mimic natural morning light and simulate natural light cycles by gradually changing the wavelengths and intensity of light over time. 
• Support your circadian rhythm Our body’s circadian rhythm is largely predicated by our exposure to light. It was designed to have us naturally wind down at night after the sun sets and help us wake up in the morning with the sun rise. Our access to artificial lights have recently disrupted that natural circadian rhythm, impacting sleep quality and quantity for a lot of people. Limiting access to blue light emitting devices in the pm and try a sunrise alarm to help.
• Add a sleep “supplement” Fall asleep, improve sleep quality, and wake up feeling refreshed and energized with the sleep support from this beautiful, relaxing tea called Deep Sleep from Harney & Sons. I love that this is melatonin-free. This restful, restorative blend is made from the company’s own hemp plants grown at their headquarters in Millerton, NY. They have masterfully blended it with Moringa Leaves and other power-packed herbs for a very worthy nighttime brew. It includes hemp leaves & flowers, organic moringa leaf, organic turmeric, organic coconut pieces, organic holy basil, organic goji berries, and organic nutmeg. Use code TheGlowWellness to save on this tea, or any tea in their extensive collection. In addition to the Deep Sleep tea, you can always unwind at night with your favorite herbal or decaf tea.

Research shows that having a regular nighttime routine, which can (and should!) include preparing a calming cup of tea, will increase your chances of getting the sleep you need! 

Harney & Sons launched Mind Your Body wellness teas in 2019 and they have become an integral part of my wellness routine. The Hemp Division, a line of all-natural, handcrafted CBD teas, come from their own help plants, planted, grown, and harvested in order to create a quality product from the roots up!

• Harney & Sons offers over 300 varieties of the highest quality teas, sourced from the finest tea regions around the world. 
• Blends include classics like Earl Grey, our signature flavors like Hot Cinnamon Spice and Paris, several varieties of Matcha, more adventurous teas like Bamboo and everything in between. 
• Fair Trade Certified, Harney & Sons teas support fair trade practices around the world that promote sustainable livelihoods, safe working conditions, protection of the environment, and strong, transparent supply chains. 

I love the bedtime ritual I have created with Hemp Moringa Deep Sleep. I have found what works best for me is to drink this tea 4 to 5 hours before I go to bed for a full restful night’s sleep, to wake up feeling rested and ready to start the day. I absolutely love this and many more teas that Harney & Sons offers. Whether the tea is for health benefits, taste, or both, I love adding different flavors to my tea pantry.

Special offer!

Harney & Sons is offering readers a special discount on their entire line of teas. Visit their beautiful online shop and receive a special discount with code TGW1023 .

To restful, deep sleep and a better tomorrow.