🌙 Finding Rest: My Evening Ritual for Deep, Restful Sleep

Note from Jamie

I like to share things that light me up, fill me with joy, and make my life easier. Nothing is sponsored. These are just things that are helping me along my journey.

🌙 Finding Rest: My Evening Ritual for Deep, Restful Sleep

So many of you have shared that you struggle with sleep — falling asleep, staying asleep, or just feeling rested when you wake up. I get it.

After Emma was born, I went through a long stretch of severe insomnia. I’d lay awake for hours, my mind racing, my body tense. I remember feeling desperate for rest but unable to find it. Thankfully, over time, I discovered tools that helped me reclaim my sleep — and my peace.

Today, I sleep well most nights. Here’s what has made a real difference for me:

🌿 I Stretch Before Bed

Every night, I spend 15–30 minutes stretching. It’s my signal to my mind and body that it’s time to slow down and transition into rest. I always end with Legs Up the Wall — a gentle, restorative yoga pose where you simply lie on your back with your legs extended up a wall.

This pose works wonders for calming the nervous system. It helps quiet anxious thoughts, improves circulation, reduces swelling in tired legs and feet, and encourages relaxation throughout the entire body. It’s one of the simplest, most soothing things you can do before bed.

💛 I Write in My Gratitude Journal

Before turning out the light, I jot down a few things I’m grateful for — big or small. This simple act shifts my mind from what’s stressful or unresolved to what’s good and true. Gratitude softens the edges of the day and helps me rest with a lighter heart.

🧘 I Meditate with Insight Timer

If you haven’t tried the Insight Timer app, I can’t recommend it enough. It’s a free meditation app with thousands of guided meditations, music tracks, and talks — all designed to support mindfulness, sleep, and emotional wellbeing.

Lately, my go-to has been listening to Brown Noise before bed. It’s a deeper, richer sound than white noise — steady, consistent, and incredibly grounding. Studies show Brown Noise can reduce anxiety, quiet the mind, and help you fall asleep faster (and stay asleep longer).

🌬 I Breathe

When I first get into bed, I take a few minutes to breathe deeply. Two techniques I love are 4-7-8 breathing and box breathing.

In 4-7-8 breathing, you inhale for 4 counts, hold for 7, and exhale for 8. This activates the parasympathetic nervous system — the body’s “rest and digest” mode — slowing the heart rate and easing tension.

Box breathing (inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4) creates a similar calming rhythm. Both techniques tell your body: You’re safe. You can rest now.

📖 I Listen to Benjamin Boster

If my mind is still chatty, I listen to Benjamin Boster read Wikipedia articles. (Yes, really!) There’s something about his rhythmic, soothing voice that quiets my thoughts. His sessions are designed to be delightfully boring — and it works. I often play them on repeat throughout the night.

Benjamin Boster can be found on Insight Timer.

🌼 I Support My Body from the Inside Out

I take a few supplements that help me wind down: Melatonin and Ashwagandha to relax my system, and my nightly Evening Elixir — a mix of Calm Magnesium Powder and Vital Proteins Collagen. It’s a little ritual that feels both nourishing and grounding.

✨ If I Wake Up in the Middle of the Night…

If I can’t fall back asleep, I stretch again. Moving my body — even gently — helps me get out of my head and back into a calmer, more grounded space.

It’s the combination of all these small, mindful habits that allow me to sleep deeply and wake feeling nourished — most nights, anyway. And on the nights when sleep is elusive, I remind myself to offer the same compassion to me that I would to someone I love.

Here’s to creating your own peaceful nighttime ritual — one that helps you rest, restore, and rise refreshed.

Sweet dreams,

Jamie

Inspiration

Nourish Pick of the Week

Sleep Roller Blend

And, of course, every night before bed, I roll on our Sleep Roller Blend — my final step before turning out the lights.

Its soothing blend of essential oils helps quiet my mind, relax my body, and signal that it’s time to rest.

It’s become such a comforting part of my nighttime ritual — like a gentle invitation to let go of the day and drift into deep, peaceful sleep.

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Workout of the Week

30-Min Full Body Stretch

I’ve shared this one before — and I’ll share it again — because it’s that good.

This 30-minute stretching routine is my go-to for releasing tension, calming the mind, and easing into deep relaxation. It’s the ultimate treat for both body and soul — especially before bed.

Stretch with Me