how to not feel like a hibernating bear this winter:

It's 5:45 AM in the dead of winter.  Your alarm is beeping but you just CAN'T get out of bed.  It's pitch black out and you feel like a bear who got woken up from hibernating.  After a few minutes debating sleeping in "just a few more minutes", you think about your new pumpkin spice coffee creamer and it motivates you to get out of bed.

Sound familiar?  If so, keep reading because after you've finished this post, you'll be armed with some new tactics and products that will set you up for a more alert morning and a more relaxing evening.

Anyways, back to our story... 

You make your way to the kitchen, pour your coffee, load it up with that sugary pumpkin "goodness" but still feel just SO groggy.  Your day goes on, you get some items checked off your to-do list, grab an afternoon latte but still your productivity is low.  Finally it's time for dinner, and after that you try to wind down with a Netflix binge, because seriously, what else are you going to do when it's cold and dark out??

Next thing you know, 11:00 PM appears on your phone...  It's late and you should go to bed, but your brain won't calm down.  What gives??  You were tired all day but now you can't sleep?  Grumbling, you crawl into bed and lay there getting weird hot and cold sweats in your flannel sheets and cotton pajamas...  Midnight rolls around, you finally drift off...  

And BEEP BEEP BEEP, the 5:45 am alarm goes off, and the cycle repeats itself.  How do you stop it?  After a few key changes to your routine and a few product additions, you can easily make your mornings and evenings set you up for a more productive day!

Here's your checklist for a good morning:

First?  Fake the sunrise.
Seriously, this thing has changed my morning.  By slowly getting brighter, this alarm mimics a sunrise to gently bring you out of deep sleep at your desired time.  Once it's at it's peak brightness, it is SO much easier to get out of bed.  You can also try setting your thermostat so it's a bit warmer than normal right when you want to wake up, making it much easier to get out from under your cozy blankets.

Second?  Make it smell energizing, but not just from your coffee.
After getting out of bed, you'll want to freshen up your space with invigorating, brain stimulating scents like citrus oils and mint.  Put them in the diffuser of your get ready space and get your brain fired up for the day.  No diffuser?  Try this one, it packs a big punch, holds a lot of water, and helps to humidify dry winter air which is great for skin!

Third?  Lessen your sugar and caffeine load.
No, I'm not telling you to give up your coffee.  What I am saying is that after decreasing the amount of caffeine and sugar you have, you WILL get used to it and you WILL feel more energy later on in the day.  Don't try to give it up all at once, wean yourself off the fully caffeinated coffee by switching out a scoop or two for decaf.  Next week, try switching out a bit more.  You can also lessen your sugar dependency by switching that sugary pumpkin spice creamer for actual pumpkin spice.  I like this one, it's organic and gives me that #basicwhitegirl vibe without being so basic.  All you need to do is put some in your brewing basket, or simply sprinkle it on top.

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Now here's your checklist for a good evening:

First?  Block out the lights.
Set the mood for your Netflix binge and dim the lights in your room.  This mimics sunset which naturally releases melatonin.  Also, block out the blue light from your TV and phone with a cute pair of blue-blockers like these!  As soon as I started wearing these in the evenings, I got way sleepier way earlier!

Second?  Add a scent to your nighttime routine.
We all know that scents can take us into the right frame of mind, so make each evening smell the same and eventually your brain will associate that scent with sleep!  Move your diffuser to the living room (or buy two and keep it there all the time) and diffuse calming scents like these blends from Plant Therapy.  Give it a few weeks and your brain will learn to relax on command!

Third?  Wear pajamas that breathe.
I don't know about you, but I sweat a lot when I sleep.  As soon as I made the switch to bamboo sleep shirts (and socks but that doesn't have to do with pajamas) I started sleeping so much more comfortably!  After wearing these shirts, you'll sleep through the night rather than waking up in the middle all sweaty and uncomfortable.

Now that we've covered the details, here's a recap of all the things you need to set yourself up for a great morning and night.  After checking these items out on Amazon, share this post with a friend, we all need better sleep!

here's a recap of the items:

Good morning!

Nighty night!