I used to lie awake with a racing mind — thoughts bouncing from tomorrow’s to-do list to random Instagram posts I didn’t even care about. My body was exhausted, but my brain was in full sprint mode.
It wasn’t just stress. It was the pace, the pressure, and the way I never gave myself permission to *truly* wind down.
So, I started changing things. Gently. Not a full routine overhaul, not a 10-step wellness checklist — just a few intentional swaps that slowly started to shift my sleep. Here are the five things that made the biggest difference:
1. I broke up with my phone before bed
I used to scroll until my eyes couldn’t take it anymore. The news, messages, photos — it all kept my mind wired. Now, I leave my phone in another room after 9pm. It was weird at first (the phantom scroll urge is real), but now I feel like my brain gets a real signal that the day is done.
2. I switched wine for something warmer
I love a glass of wine in the evening, but I realized it was actually disrupting my sleep. Instead, I started making a warm cup of Eese. It felt like a little gift to myself — a cozy ritual that told my nervous system: you’re safe, you can rest now.
3. I softened the lighting
This one’s so simple but makes such a difference. I swapped out harsh overhead lights for warm lamps and dimmers. It helps my body ease into rest, especially during darker months when we’re craving that cocoon-like vibe.
4. I read, even just a few pages
Reading before bed brings me back to myself. Even 10 minutes calms my thoughts in a way screens never could. Bonus: I sleep deeper and sometimes dream about the story I was just in — which is way more fun than dreaming about emails.
5. I gave my evenings a soft landing
Instead of seeing bedtime as the final thing I “had” to do, I started viewing my evenings as something to look forward to. I light a candle. I stretch a little. I drink something warm. Adding Eese to this rhythm was a small shift that had a big ripple effect — not just in how I sleep, but in how I feel the next day.
Final thoughts
There’s no magic formula. Sleep isn’t always easy. But I learned that it’s not just about what time you go to bed — it’s about how you let go of the day. For me, creating space, slowing down, and having a ritual I enjoy made all the difference.
And if you're like me — always doing, always thinking — maybe it's time to give yourself a softer end to the day, too.