It’s been a while since my first Favorite Things Friday post, so I am quite overdue! Today I want to talk about one of my most favorite things: SLEEP. For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a hard time getting a good night’s sleep. Some times I struggle to fall asleep; other times I wake up frequently or toss and turn throughout the night. And now that I’m pregnant, it’s gotten even harder. But now I’m really excited to share a few things that have made a huge difference for me when it comes to getting a restful night of sleep!

1. Blue Light Blocking Glasses

Although the jury is out on whether they make much of a difference, I’ve been wanting to try out blue light blocking glasses for a while – both because I spend my day in front of the computer, and because we tend to wind down with some Netflix in bed before turning in. I recently got this pair in my Fall FabFitFun box, and I have really enjoyed testing them out. I wear them both at work when I’m in front of the computer, and also in the later hours of the evening when watching TV or scrolling social media on my phone. While I’m not sure if they’ve made much of a difference in terms of eye strain, I do think they’ve made a difference when it comes to falling asleep easier. I’ve definitely noticed that I doze off a lot quicker on the nights I wear them, which makes getting a good night’s sleep a lot easier!

2. Weighted Blanket

J got me this weighted blanket for Christmas, and let me tell you – it is AMAZING. At first I was afraid it would feel really constricting, but it really just feels like a big hug. One thing I really appreciate about it is that it helps to keep me in one position all night, and helps me not to toss and turn so much. It makes such a huge difference that I would even bring it with me if we were traveling (but who knows when that will be happening again). 10/10 would definitely recommend!

3. Pregnancy/Body Pillow

I originally started with a smaller, L-shaped body pillow, but recently switched to one of those giant, u-shaped pregnancy pillows – this one, to be exact! It is LIFE CHANGING. I can move it around to precisely where I need it to be comfortable, and it keeps me from rolling onto my back – a big no-no in the second and third trimesters. It may seem big, but (so far) J hasn’t complained about how much space it takes up. Which is good, because I definitely plan to keep using it after pregnancy.

4. Ear Plugs

I’m going to put my husband on blast for hot minute: during allergy season, he is a SNORER. Like, sawing down a tree type of snoring. And, as much as I love him, it drives me nuts. If I wake up in the middle of the night and he’s snoring, it’s impossible for me to fall asleep again. Now, it’s not entirely his fault. I need almost perfect conditions to fall asleep: complete darkness and complete silence. Enter: ear plugs. This is probably a no-brainer, but they do make a huge difference. Not only do they block out any ambient noise to help me fall asleep faster, but they also muffle the sounds of snoring just enough if I wake up in the middle of the night. With my ear plugs, J gets to live another day. Just kidding!

Well, kind of.

5. Aromatherapy Spray

Another subscription box favorite is this mood mist from Cardea AuSet – I got it in one of my CauseBoxes and quickly fell in love. It’s a lovely blend of lavender, bergamot, and frankincense essential oils. I spray it on my pillow and in the air right before bed and it’s super calming to me. If you have a diffuser, you could diffuse a blend of the three essential oils for a similar effect! Even though I tend not to believe all the hype around essential oils, I am a huge fan of aromatherapy, and this spray definitely helps put me in a sleepy mood!

Some other tips…

Although these aren’t necessarily “things,” here are a few other habits I’ve picked up to make getting a good night’s sleep a lot easier:

• Taking a warm shower really helps to relax my mind and my body.
• Establishing a bedtime routine. After I shower, I do my skincare, brush and floss, and then light a candle while I fold a load of laundry. Sticking with the same routine has made it easier for my body to recognize that it’s getting close to bedtime.
• Going to bed at the same time every night. Speaking of bedtime, I’ve really noticed that trying to go to bed at the same time every night makes a difference. Those circadian rhythms are legit!

Do you have any tips for getting a good night’s sleep? Any must-haves on your list? Let me know in the comments below!

With love,

A