A Simple Guide to Better Sleep: Nighttime Habits That Actually Work (Plus the Gentle Remedy I Created for My Own Family)
A Simple Guide to Better Sleep: Nighttime Habits That Actually Work
If you’ve been feeling tired, wired, or just plain exhausted… you’re not alone. Most adults struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep, and parents? Forget it — sleep often feels like a luxury.
Sleep became a deeply personal priority for me during a season when I had a teething baby who wasn’t sleeping well, and another child dealing with nighttime growing pains. I was desperate to find something gentle, melatonin-free, and truly soothing for their little bodies.
That journey is what eventually inspired our Sleepy Time Whipped Tallow — but before I get to that, let’s talk about sleep itself, and what science says helps us get more of it.
Because great sleep isn’t luck… it’s habits. And the right routine can transform your nights.
Why Good Sleep Matters More Than You Think
A consistent sleep schedule impacts:
Hormone balance
Mood and emotional regulation
Skin health and cell repair
Muscle recovery
Immune strength
Memory, focus, and creativity
When you’re not sleeping well, everything feels harder. When you are sleeping well, life gets easier — fast.
7 Bedtime Habits That Actually Help You Sleep Better
1. Shut Down Blue Light at Least 1 Hour Before Bed
Phones, TVs, tablets, and bright LEDs send your brain a message:
“Stay awake. It’s daytime.”
Blue light suppresses melatonin and makes it harder to wind down.
Try this:
Turn devices off an hour before bed
Dim your lights
Switch your phone to night mode if you must use it
Keep lamps warm and soft in the evening
This one step alone can dramatically improve sleep depth.
2. Create a Consistent Wind-Down Ritual
Your body likes predictability.
Choose 2–3 activities and do them every night in the same order.
Examples:
Warm shower
A cup of herbal tea
Reading
Light stretching
Applying Sleepy Time Tallow to legs, feet, or shoulders
Journaling
The routine trains your body to expect rest.
3. Keep Your Bedroom Cool
The ideal sleep temperature is 60–67°F.
When your body temperature drops, it signals your brain to fall asleep faster.
4. Stop Doomscrolling Your To-Do List
Your brain needs space to shut down.
If thoughts keep racing, try:
A quick brain-dump list
Box breathing
A guided meditation
Keeping a notebook next to your bed
5. Support Your Body With Magnesium
Magnesium is known as “the relaxation mineral” — most people are deficient and don’t realize it.
Magnesium chloride, in particular, is well loved for:
Relaxing tense muscles
Calming the nervous system
Helping the body ease into sleep
Supporting deeper, more restful sleep
It’s one of the reasons I included magnesium chloride in our Sleepy Time Whipped Tallow, along with lavender and Roman chamomile.
6. Use Gentle, Natural Sleep Supports (Not Melatonin)
Melatonin can be helpful—but many people experience morning grogginess or dependency.
Gentle alternatives include:
Lavender
Roman chamomile
Magnesium chloride
Herbal tea blends like lemon balm or valerian
These support your body rather than override it.
7. Build a Bedtime Routine Your Body Love
This is where Sleepy Time Tallow fits beautifully.
How Sleepy Time Tallow Supports a Better Night’s Rest
I created this formula originally for my own children — something gentle enough for babies, yet effective for grown-ups too.
Every jar includes:
Grassfed Whipped Tallow
Nourishes skin and melts in luxuriously.
Magnesium Chloride
Known for easing muscle tension and supporting deep, restorative sleep.
Lavender Essential Oil
Calming, soothing, and signals the brain it’s bedtime.
Roman Chamomile Essential Oil
One of the most gentle, kid-safe relaxation oils.
Olive oil + organic arrowroot
For a silky, non-greasy finish.
How to use it:
Massage a small amount on feet, legs, shoulders, or lower back during your bedtime routine.
Parents love it for:
Growing pains
Restless legs
Bedtime wind-down
Relaxation before sleep
Adults love it for:
Muscle soreness
Stress relief
Supporting deeper sleep
It’s calming, grounding, and becomes the “ahhh” moment your body looks forward to each night.
Start Small — Your Sleep Will Thank You
You don’t need a perfect routine.
You just need a supportive one.
Begin with two or three of the habits above—and make Sleepy Time Tallow part of your nightly wind-down.
Your body will notice the difference.
So will your mornings.