After a long day of being the best parent ever (you have the mug to prove it!), you’re probably feeling exhausted. Once your kids conk out halfway through their bedtime story, it’s time to enjoy a good night’s sleep of your own, right?
Wrong.
Weirdly enough, sometimes sleep can be the last thing on your mind after a busy day. This is because the brain and body need time to unwind. If you’re looking to make your night-time routine a bit more peaceful, try these four tips for relaxing once the kids go to sleep!
#1 Brew Some Herbal Tea
Herbal teas have a ton of benefits, but one of their most common uses is relaxation. Once you get some alone time at night, snuggle up with a piping cup of tea and sip it slowly and mindfully for a maximum calming effect.
Try any of these relaxing teas (caffeine-free, of course!) to promote stress relief and better sleep:
- Chamomile
- Peppermint
- Ashwagandha
- Ginger
- Lemon
#2 Delve Into the World of ASMR
If you’ve never found yourself in a late-night YouTube deep dive, then you may not have discovered the wonders (or horrors, depending on who you ask) of ASMR.
Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) refers to a relaxing, tingling sensation in the body. This feeling is typically a response to certain auditory triggers, such as:
- Gentle crinkling sounds
- A writing utensil gliding across paper
- The clicking of typing
- Having your hair played with, or your ears rubbed
ASMR videos incorporate a relaxing mashup of these activities and sounds. Many people enjoy watching ASMR videos as part of their nightly routine because it calms the mind and promotes sleep.
It may feel a bit strange to watch these videos at first, but don’t be embarrassed. After all, the kids are asleep!
#3 Get Sleepy With CBD
Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is a hemp plant extract. Though it’s non-psychoactive, CBD has been shown to regulate some important functions in the body, including:
- Sleep
- Stress
- Nervous system response
These qualities make CBD a potent sleep and relaxation aid. Try using a CBD tincture for sleep by adding it to your nightly cup of tea (or simply place a few drops under your tongue if you’re not planning on implementing tip #1).
#4 Unwind with Skincare
Self-care can often get pushed aside when you have kids. Fulfilling their needs is important, but once they hit the hay, it’s your time to shine!
Many people like to incorporate skincare into their night-time routine. Focusing on your skin will help you relax and boost your confidence. If you want to add some new steps to your nightly cleanse, consider picking up these essential products:
- Serum – A good serum will leave your skin glowing. Vitamin C, peptides, and hemp are all beneficial ingredients to look for in a serum. When applying this product, it’s helpful to incorporate some light facial massage to work it into the skin (and boost relaxation).
- Face mask – Using a face mask once a week can help clear your pores, soften your skin, and provide some much-needed pampering! Mud and charcoal masks are great for oily complexions, while hyaluronic acid and jojoba oil will help with drier skin.
- Eye cream – Most parents are long-time acquaintances of dark under-eyes. A retinol or caffeine eye cream will have you looking like your kids didn’t wake you up at six in the morning (even though they definitely did).
Parents Need to Unwind, Too
While the kids are asleep, it can be tempting to spend your nights catching up on work. Sure, you might respond to a few extra emails or get a head start on a project here and there, but all that late-night stimuli often leads to higher levels of stress and greater difficulty sleeping.
Instead, spend these fleeting moments of peace and quiet trying to get some much-needed relaxation in. With these calming tips, you’ll quickly find yourself forgetting any sources of stress!
Image Credits: Ekaterina Bolovtsova, Ketut Subiyanto
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