Calm & Cozy

Registered Nurse and Certified Aromatherapist, Corissa Levair, joins me in this episode to talk about essential oils to help you sleep. Corissa teaches us what to look for, why most of the oils you're buying shouldn't be used for therapeutic purposes, and which single oils and blends will help you unwind and prepare for your best night's sleep. Find Corissa on Facebook and Instagram at Life Pure Simple.**Please refer to a Certified Aromatherapist before using essential oils topically or internally. Never use an essential oil on your skin without proper dilution in a carrier oil, and do not ingest oils without the guidance of a Certified Aromatherapist or Healthcare Professional. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

I LOVE this episode, and I think you will too! Cassandra Carlopio joins me for a conversation about calming the nervous system to get your best sleep. Cassandra uses deep relaxation techniques in Yoga Nidra classes, and has TONS of free resources to share with you to help you relax before bed. We also chat about napping, so you know it'll be a doozie! www.cassandracarlopio.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

An episode about sleeping positions. Which is best? Which is worst? What's the perfect pillow for you? I'll tell you! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Why do they call it a "beauty sleep?" Because sleep is a natural hair and beauty product! Find out why well-rested women have less work to do in the morning. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A short and sweet episode about what to eat, and not eat, before bed! Every wonder what foods make great nighttime snacks? This mini episode will give you some ideas of what to reach for and why. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Do you have a sleep emergency kit? It’s not an actual kit, but it’s an arsenal of tips and tricks you use when you’re having trouble falling asleep. Some of them might be actual items, like a white noise machine, or a sleepy-time tea. Some might be a handful of do-it-yourself sleep secrets that you turn to on those nights when you need a little extra help. Building your own sleep emergency kit is important, especially when you’re traveling, or something has changed at home, internally or externally. In this episode, I give you a list of the items and tricks I use, as well as my newest favorite way to fall asleep. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Why is going to bed seen as giving up? We go to sleep every single night, and yet we still act surprised when our first yawn of the night appears. In this episode, I admit that I used to be one of those people who made fun of anyone who went to bed early. Now I'm the one leaving early to go sleep. If you need permission to honor your body when it feels sleepy, I'm giving it to you. I hope you find this episode encouraging, because every night as bedtime approaches, you have a decision to make - fight it or embrace it. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Journaling reduces bedtime worry and stress, increases sleep time, and improves sleep quality. I use journaling to calm my racing thoughts at bedtime, and in this episode I tell you how. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, I read 3 poems by Robert Frost over trippy meditative music. PLEASE NOTE: My Grown-Up Bedtime Stories podcast is no longer on the air, BUT this podcast will continue to offer sleepy bedtime stories periodically. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today’s episode is about the vital connection between gut health and sleep, with Digestion Guru + Certified Nutritional Practitioner, Heather Woodruff. There is a definite link between gut health and our brain, and you can't have a happy belly without pairing it with happy sleep... and vice versa! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Is sharing a bed with your partner ruining your sleep? Are you afraid that sleeping separately will ruin your happy healthy relationship? Are you already sleeping apart from your partner, and needing validation that your relationship can survive because others have made it work? This episode is for you! Sexologist, Dr. Stephen de Wit joins me in a conversation about happy couples who choose to sleep separately, and you might be surprised at what he has to say about it. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

I have a confession: Every morning I wake up, turn off my alarm, and want to go back to sleep.I just don’t like getting out of bed. I never have. Not everybody springs out of bed every morning and it doesn't necessarily mean you're sleep-deprived. It might just mean that you’re not naturally a morning person. Before you start to worry that you’re doing something wrong, try a few things first. You might just need some extra time to wake up. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Tina Cufaro is a Holistic Nutritionist and advocate for women's mental health. In my first interview with an insomniac, Tina shares her story of depression, insomnia, and the dangerous side effects of sleeping pills. If you're currently on medication to help you sleep, are thinking about it, or wanting to wean off of it, please listen to this episode first! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Are you frequently jolted out of a deep sleep by every stupid noise in or near your bedroom? A car alarm outside your window, perhaps. A neighbour’s party that’s gone on far too long? A flushing toilet down the hall. A barking dog? It sounds like you need to be introduced to my good friend, white noise. Learn how white noise can make your life a whole lot easier, and how to get your hands on your own... like right now. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

For some, sharing a bed with their pet is a comfort. For others, it's a disaster. As a sleep lover AND a dog and cat lover, I have a strong opinion about this topic. This is another short but sweet episode that just might leave you avoiding eye contact with your cat at bedtime tonight. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Now if you follow me on anything, you’ll be familiar with this statement: There is no ONE thing that will cure insomnia and bedtime anxiety. Improving your sleep habits involves making several small shifts in your daily routines. Well, today I’m going to force myself to choose one thing. If I HAD to choose one change in my life that has made the biggest difference in my sleep habits, and if I could only tell YOU one thing to do to improve yours… it would have to be this... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Napping is one topic I get asked about often, and every sleep expert you ask will give you a slightly different answer. My stance on the topic is this: Controlled naps are amazing when paired with healthy sleep habits. In this episode, I tell you my recipe for a perfect nap, so you can wake up feeling refreshed, not ready for bed. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's time for the 5th step in my 5 step series on Relief for Insomnia and Bedtime Anxiety! I discuss the importance of acknowledging the thoughts that are consuming you, and the importance of letting them go without responding to them. Insomnia is NOT just about not sleeping... it's also about the inner struggle, and letting go of the thoughts that have created your insomnia. Your thoughts have as much power over you as you will allow. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Find out how a restorative yoga teacher and fellow sleep activist, Julie Westervelt, found the inspiration for Sleep Crown, an over-the-head pillow that calms the senses and promotes better sleep. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

By simply focusing your attention on your breathing, without doing anything to change it, you can prepare your mind and body for quality rest, and eventually sleep. In this episode I talk to you about how focusing on your breath can help ease bedtime anxiety and calm your racing thoughts. This episode is also a perfect introduction to meditation for anyone who thinks they have to become a different person to adopt a new, and often misunderstood, practice. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.