13. Wide Awake at 2 a.m.? Let’s Fix That
By now, we all know that sleep is one of the most important things for our health - brain health, heart health, detox pathways… all of it!
But what do we do when sleep just isn’t happening? When we suddenly wake at 2 a.m. and can’t get back to sleep? Or when we’re nodding off on the couch, only to crawl into bed and stare at the ceiling for hours?
I don’t know about you, but I feel like as I age, waking up rested feels harder and harder to achieve. Or maybe my tolerance for poor sleep is just getting lower.
Both of these happened to me over two nights last week. The first night, I couldn’t keep my eyes open while watching some crime drama on TV. I hopped into bed, and boom - I couldn’t sleep! The second night, I was sound asleep, only to wake for no reason at all. And what did I do next? Got out of bed, checked the time on my phone, and somehow ended up back in bed scrolling until 3 a.m. FFS. I absolutely know better than this.
Here’s my playbook for better sleep:
Take a closer look at what’s happening in the hours leading up to bedtime. These small tweaks can make a big difference:
Afternoon coffee? Switch to decaf or work on cutting caffeine later in the day.
A little sweet treat after dinner? Follow the Glucose Goddess hacks: go for a walk or do some squats after dessert.
Overstimulating TV shows (think crime, murder, war)? Opt for something lighthearted instead. My current favourites are The Great British Bake Off and Would I Lie to You?
Ruminating on the day? Journal it out. Seriously - get it all on paper to gain some perspective and let it go.
Stressful day? Meditate. This meditation of mine helps let go of others’ energy, and this sleep meditation by Jennifer Piercy is my absolute favourite for drifting off.
And if you wake in the middle of the night, for the love of all things wonderful, DO NOT START SCROLLING! The only reason your phone should be touched is to play a sleep meditation.
Bonus Tips for Sweet Dreams:
Take magnesium before bed. If you’re not already seeing a naturopath, nutritionist, or acupuncturist, I suggest a good-quality brand like Metagenics (which you can now buy online). Alternatively, you can grab some magnesium spray from the chemist and rub it into your legs and feet before sleep.
We can’t control every aspect of sleep, but we can control how we set the stage for it. Start with these small changes and see what feels right for you. And remember, some nights might still feel frustrating, but this is about progress, not perfection.
Wishing you peaceful nights and well-rested mornings,
Libby x