How is it that everyone is still having trouble sleeping? Perhaps worse, that even those who are sleeping well, are still feeling tired?
Sleep is not something you switch on. Just like our brains are not something we can simply switch off.
Rather, they’re both something you allow.
In a world that rewards speed, stimulation and constant input, the ability to truly unwind has become a skill — one that takes time, and in turn supports everything from energy and mood to skin health, metabolic health, and ultimately long-term wellbeing.
So, how do we all sleep better? How complicated can it be after all?
We all know the feeling of a ‘great night’s sleep’. Deep sleep is where restoration happens. Where your body repairs, where your mind processes, where your nervous system recalibrates. But deep sleep doesn’t begin when your head hits the pillow. It begins hours before. In the art of unwinding.
Why We Struggle To Unwind
Unfortunately for us, modern life is not designed for rest. Blue light extends our days. Notifications keep our nervous system activated. Stress hormones linger long after work ends. Your body is designed to move through cycles — energy, then rest. Activation, then repair. But when the signal to slow down never arrives, your body stays alert. And sleep becomes shallow. It can feel interrupted, inconsistent, and ultimately not restorative - against the whole purpose of it all.
Fortunately for us, human beings are adaptable. We get on, and we push through. But we shouldn’t always have to. The solution is not forcing sleep. It is creating the conditions for it.
Deep REM Rituals: Preparing The Body For Sleep
Think of sleep as a state your body enters when it feels safe, supported and ready. Deep REM sleep — the phase linked to cognitive restoration, emotional processing, and hormonal balance — depends on how you prepare. The most powerful shift is not a single habit, but an evening routine that you make personal. A signal to your body that the day is complete.
1. Light: Signal The End Of The Day
Your circadian rhythm is governed by light. As the sun sets, melatonin — your sleep hormone — begins to rise. Artificial light, especially blue light from phones and screens, interrupts this process. The counter is creating a low-light environment:
- Dim overhead lights after sunset
- Switch to lamps or candlelight
- Reduce screen exposure 60–90 minutes before bed
2. Temperature: Cool The Body Down
Your body naturally lowers its core temperature to initiate sleep. A cooler environment supports this process. Aim for:
- A bedroom temperature between 16–20°C
- Breathable fabrics and natural fibres for both clothing and bedding
- A warm shower before bed to encourage the body’s cooling response
3. Stillness: Calm The Nervous System
Sleep is not just physical — it is neurological. If your mind is active, your body follows. Introduce moments of stillness before bed:
- Breathwork (slow, extended exhales)
- 10-20 minutes of Gentle stretching or yoga nidra
- Journaling to release mental load
- Reading (fiction rather than increased learning)
4. Consistency: Teach The Body When To Rest
Your body thrives on rhythm. Going to bed and waking at similar times each day strengthens your sleep-wake cycle. It can feel hard at first, and schedules often feel like they’re working against you. But over time, your body begins to anticipate rest. And sleep becomes easier.
Natural Sleep Aids
Alongside routine and ritual, certain natural ingredients can support the transition into sleep — working with your body, not against it. These are not sedatives. They are subtle, supportive, cumulative signals to rest.
Rich in naturally occurring melatonin, tart cherry juice supports sleep onset and duration. A small evening serve can help gently cue the body toward rest.
Often referred to as the “relaxation mineral,” magnesium supports muscle relaxation, nervous system balance and stress reduction. It plays a critical role in preparing the body for sleep — particularly for those experiencing tension or restlessness. Taken orally or applied as a rub to the body.
An adaptogenic herb known for supporting stress response and cortisol regulation. By helping the body manage stress more effectively, ashwagandha creates the conditions for deeper, more restorative sleep.
Traditionally used to promote calm and reduce anxiety. Lemon balm supports a sense of ease — helping the mind slow down.
A botanical known for its calming properties, often used to support sleep quality and reduce nighttime wakefulness.
Warming and grounding, cinnamon supports blood sugar balance — an often overlooked factor in sleep disruption. Stable blood sugar supports uninterrupted sleep throughout the night.
More than a flavour, vanilla has been shown to have calming effects on the nervous system. Its aroma alone can create a sense of comfort and relaxation — reinforcing the ritual of winding down.
An Evening Ritual
The most effective sleep support is not found in isolation. It is created through a combination — environment, ritual, routine. Not as another task. But as a moment you return to. A moment to unwind.
The Evening Elixir is our founder Elle’s favorite nightly routine: a delicious, 13-calorie hot chocolate with 14 premium, organic ingredients, designed as a gentle transition from awake to sleep. Warm, grounding and intentionally formulated, it brings together many of the ingredients associated with rest — a carefully considered beauty blend of calming botanicals, minerals and adaptogens, it boosts collagen for glowing skin while supporting quality rest and sleep. Incorporated consistently into your week, it becomes more than a product. It becomes a practice.
A Nightly Routine
A simple, effective routine might look like:
1–2 hours before bed: Dim lights, reduce screen exposure. Prepare a warm drink — your Evening Elixir
30 minutes before bed: Gentle stretching or breathwork. Journal or read something calming
At bedtime: Keep your room cool and dark. Remove distractions (phone away from reach)
Over time, your body begins to recognise a pattern. It craves routine. And sleep follows.
Sleep As The Foundation Of Beauty-Through-Wellness
We truly believe that wellness is about supporting what your body already knows how to do.
Sleep is one of the most powerful expressions of that. When we sleep well, our skin regenerates, our hormones rebalance, our mood stabilises, our energy restores.
Rest is not indulgent. It is essential. When you create the conditions for sleep — your body responds. Naturally. And over time, what once felt difficult becomes intuitive. Because your body already knows how to rest. It is simply waiting for permission and the right tools and support.
With Wellness, You Can Unwind.