The Routine | Elise’s Nighttime Wellness Routine

The Routine is a key element within Sijo. Our goal is not only to provide you with comfortable bedding that will leave you blissfully dreaming. We aim to create a complete environment of calm, happiness, and comfort in your home. Establishing a nighttime wellness routine is essential for achieving this serene environment.

That desire led us to create our signature routine, which includes 4 key steps: Environment, Body, Mind, and Rest. By focusing on these aspects, we help you develop a comprehensive bedtime routine for adults that enhances your overall well-being.

Today, we’re exploring how one team member, Elise, makes this nighttime wellness routine her own, and what she does to wind down at the end of each day.

Elise’s Routine

The first thing I do when I arrive home from work is going to sound completely ridiculous. I love to walk in and start putting anything away that I may have left out in a rush that morning, or if I was responsible that morning, to put away and sort mail, my bag, my jacket, etc.

Having a tidy, sorted out space makes me feel good, and sets me up for a night of calm. After that, I make dinner, light a candle (currently rotating our Citrus -- beautiful fragrance in the kitchen -- and Rose) and enjoy my meal.

Once that’s through, I clean up again and take some time to watch a show/movie or FaceTime with any friends or family who don’t live nearby. Sometimes, I’ll have a cup of tea (my favorites are the tea or an Arabic tea that my parents send me) and something sweet.

Next is my incredibly extensive shower and skincare routine. I am a beauty product obsessee, and I am so vocal about it that it’s a feature point in my Instagram feed and bio. I’m super lucky to have brands I’ve loved for years featured on our website. I use scrubs and oils from Little Barn Apothecary often (my favorite scrub is one, and for oil, I love one), and the Aura Spray from Therapie any time I need a pick-me-up. The bath and shower essence is also INCREDIBLE.

My skincare routine follows once I’m out of the shower, and the list of things I try is so extensive, that in the interest of your time, I will spare you. But I do a facial massage with my serum to reduce puffiness nightly, and am currently using our quartz roller. I have been a fan of rollers and gua sha tools for a long time, and was thrilled when we decided we wanted to develop and share them on the site. I’ve spent tons of time playing around with our rollers and gua sha tools and am just floored at how much they have exceeded my expectations. I love them so much.

Incorporating relaxation techniques for sleep is crucial in my routine. I read every night before I go to bed, and a few nights a week, I do a practice called “20 minutes.” My middle school English teacher (who, surprise!, is also my mother) had us do an activity where we wrote stream of consciousness style for 20 minutes each day during the school year. It was to help us put pen to paper and immediately write, and it has been so therapeutic for me that I have continued doing this a few times a week into my adult life. My mom actually doesn’t know that, so mom, if you’re reading this, it works! Keep doing this with your students.

After HOURS of ignoring my bed (mainly for the purpose of helping me sleep), I finally jump in! I keep a little spray bottle with a diluted version of one of the essential oil blends to spray on my pillow. The lavender in the blend not only helps me sleep, but soothes my chronic migraines. I sleep in our Lyocell sheets (I have a complete set in Snow) because it keeps me cool and comfortable all night.

And that’s it! I try to pack a lot into my evenings, but always try to keep the last hour or so as relaxing and soothing as possible. This, of course, changes if I have after work plans (not the skincare. It’s an intense process every night, no matter how late I come home), but I always try to ease myself into the night. Sleep is hugely important to me, and helps me to feel strong and well. I’ve experimented with so many pre-sleep rituals, and am glad to have found this one. Here are a few tips for better sleep quality that I have found to be effective:

• Maintain a consistent sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.
• Create a calming bedtime routine that includes activities such as reading, deep breathing exercises for relaxation, or a warm bath.
• Ensure your sleep environment is comfortable and free from distractions. Consider using blackout curtains, earplugs, or a white noise machine.
• Avoid caffeine and heavy meals close to bedtime, as they can disrupt your sleep.
• Incorporate physical activity into your daily routine, but avoid vigorous exercise close to bedtime.
• Practice mindfulness or meditation to help clear your mind and reduce stress before bed.

By integrating these tips into your nighttime wellness routine, you can improve sleep quality and wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. Remember, a good night’s sleep is essential for maintaining a wellness lifestyle and overall health.

Additionally, focusing on sleep and wellness can significantly enhance your overall quality of life. A well-rounded bedtime routine for adults can include various relaxation techniques for sleep, such as deep breathing exercises for relaxation. These practices not only improve sleep quality but also contribute to a more balanced and healthy lifestyle.

Here are some extra steps you can incorporate into your nighttime wellness routine:

• Engage in light stretching or yoga to relax your muscles and prepare your body for sleep.
• Listen to calming music or nature sounds to create a serene atmosphere.
• Keep a gratitude journal to reflect on positive moments from your day, fostering a sense of peace and contentment.
• Use aromatherapy with essential oils like lavender or chamomile to promote relaxation.

By expanding your bedtime routine for adults with these additional practices, you can further enhance your sleep and wellness journey. Remember, the key to a successful nighttime wellness routine is consistency and finding what works best for you. Sweet dreams!