10 Ways to Make Bedtime More Magical

First thing’s first: hope you all had a great Valentine’s Day!

Lately I’ve been having a hell of a time falling asleep, or staying asleep, or even wanting to go to sleep.  This results in me “napping” (read: crashing hard) frequently and at inappropriate times.  In response to this lack of sleep, I unintentionally spent the last three days (including Valentine’s Day) sleeping.  So I started brainstorming ways to make the prospect of going to sleep more appealing.  This is what I came up with.

Find (or create!) a new place to sleep.
In other words, change it up!  Who wants to sleep in the same old bed every night?  Sometimes when it feels like “bed,” it feels forced or methodical.  You can lie awake wanting to be anywhere, doing anything else.  So be creative!  My boyfriend had the brilliant idea of throwing tons of pillows and blankets on the living room floor on Valentine’s Day–it sounds uncomfortable, but I haven’t slept that well in months!  And just think how much more fun it would be if you pitched a tent or built a fort out of furniture.

Wear your most outrageous outfits to bed.
Provided they’re comfortable enough to sleep in, of course.  Do you have an outfit you just adore but you wouldn’t dare wear in public, unless it’s Halloween or a special occasion?  I have some clothes that are so far outside the norm that they look like they’re from another culture or time period (a real milkmaid dress, a polka-dot romper fit for a clown, a very puffy Gothic Lolita corseted skirt)–and I’ve worn them under the sheets.  Dying to parade around in that old prom gown, Halloween costume, wedding dress–but nowhere to do it without looking crazy?  Wear it to bed.  You’ll feel like you’re leading a secret life.

Have a bedtime ritual.
See how many nights in a row you can successfully keep up a pre-sleep routine.  A number of people like to read before bed (which is good, because it helps the brain wind down).  I like to make hot chocolate with lots of milk, French Vanilla, and whip cream (all the cream and the warmth kind of cancel out the caffeine for me).  Or, you could try doing something creative before bed each night, or go for a walk.  If you have a partner, try having fun bedtime chats before you go to sleep–this can be a great way to reconnect at the end of the day, as well as ease you into a restful, enjoyable sleep.

Obtain a mood-lifting bedspread.
This may sound silly, but your bedtime visuals are important.  People prefer certain styles of clothing, and your bedspread should be no different.  You wouldn’t wear designs and patterns you hate, so why would you sleep in them?  Also, people respond differently to color.  I wear red when I’m feeling sensual, black when I’m feeling serious, and so forth.  I specifically purchased my last bedspread in candy-colored pastel stripes and polka-dots because it made me feel warm and childlike–it felt sweet and good to wrap up in.  Which colors and patterns make you happiest to live in–or which do you associate with happy thoughts?

Invest in quality sheets, blankets, pillows, and mattresses.
Try some Egyptian cotton sheets–the higher the thread-count, the better.  Also, I highly recommend making the switch from a comforter to a duvet (or failing that, maybe trying a pillowtop).  Duvets aren’t for everyone, but down has a way of cushioning the body and distributing warmth in a way other fills cannot.  Also, pillow fill and firmness are important–decide if you prefer fiberfill or feather, then make sure they match your sleep style.  Stomach-sleepers tend to prefer softer pillows, while firm is better for side-sleepers.  Also, pay attention to how your body reacts to different sleep surfaces.  I grew up with a foam core mattress, so springs and water beds drive me insane.

Create ambiance.
Play around with temperature, lighting, noise, taste, and smell until all your senses are satisfied.  If the scent of lavender relaxes you, burn some lavender candles; if you enjoy candlelight, keep them going while you sleep (provided they’re safely contained).  Open a window if you get overheated.  Play some music if you like the atmosphere.  Some people prefer complete silence or darkness–there are usually ways to achieve this.  I used to be addicted to mint cough drops, and had one every night as I fell asleep, because the mint was soothing.  I’ve also gone through various types of alarms, including a CD alarm that played the same song each morning when I was in high school (though it was a sad song–The Weakerthans’ “Left and Leaving”–I’d recommend waking up to something more pleasant).

Find someone to cuddle, and have sleepovers!
I particularly like this idea.  What happened to our youth?  Even if you don’t have a partner, you can invite friends over for the night, or even naps.  Why sleep alone if you find it boring?  You might not get as much sleep if you’re up chatting half the night, but the quality will probably be worth it.  Just think how happy it’ll make you.  Ask around–you’re bound to find people who are more than willing.  Can’t find anyone who’s willing to sleep over?  Maybe it’s time to seek out more fun-loving friends.  Even better: photo-document your sleepovers, and put the pictures all over your walls.  That way, your friends will be there even when they’re not.

Prep your body for sleep.
One way you can do this is exercise–even something easy or silly (do jumping jacks or jump rope–they’re surprisingly good for your muscles!).  Or, if you just can’t muster up the energy, try taking a hot bath before bed–this causes a drop in body temperature when you leave the tub, signaling your body to go to sleep.  If you’re like me and you don’t like wet hair right before bed, no need to get it wet.  Or, if you simply hate taking baths, a shower also helps.  And if you hate immersing yourself in really hot, steamy water (I do!), try doing it with a glass of ice water or wine–this can help with the heat and the sleep-prep.  You can also try meditation or focus on your breathing.

Get involved in your dreams.
This isn’t for everyone, but it’s nice to have something to look forward to aside from unconsciousness.  I have very vivid, memorable dreams–in fact, I used to document them publicly.  If you’re not used to remembering your dreams, do some research–there are things you can do to become more conscious of your dreams.  Check out lucid dreaming.  Keep a dream journal next to your bed and jot down notes when you wake up.  Other options include keeping a dream blog, or if you’re crafty, why not make dream collages?  Dream interpretation can also be fascinating–you can even take classes.  A friend of mine took a class on dreams in college, which incorporated group sleepovers, cross-referencing dreams, and group dream interpretation.  Look around and see what you can find!

Do more enjoyable things in bed.
If your bedroom isn’t your primary living space, it might help to transition (at least for part of the time).  If you associate wakefulness and productivity with another location, it can be difficult to remove yourself to the bedroom (especially if you have trouble turning off your brain).  So why not make the bedroom a more important part of your daily life?  Get comfy in bed while you work on your favorite projects, watch movies, play board games.  This will get you acclimated.  You might have a hard time not falling asleep–but provided your in-bed tasks aren’t time-sensitive, consider this win-win :)

What do you do to make bedtime enjoyable?