18 Ways to Have the Best Year Ever – Part 6

New year’s resolutions, goals and dreams for the new year, ordering my life, things and possessions, new start in the new year, keeping my new year’s resolutions…we go through the same routines every New Year – have you made any progress and been successful with your ideas, dreams and goals each year? Some years, yes, and some years not so much .

Read this Part 6 of the list to make your life more alive, more connected, more organized and more true to your goals. Here are Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 & Part 5 if you missed them also!

16. Have sweeter dreams. Put a drop of lavender oil on the corner of your pillow or in a diffuser near the bed before you go to sleep, says Maide Romero, N.D., LAC, R.N., a naturopathic doctor who practices at the Bastyr Center for Natural Health in Seattle. “Lavender calms you down. It works as a mild sedative.” Or take a bath with Epsom salts and lavender oil two hours before bed to induce sleep.

17. Take the weekend to find your true sleep cycle. First, mentally prepare yourself for sleep by winding down from the day’s activities. “Go to bed when moderately tired and make a note of the time. Listen to gentle music or read a soothing book. Don’t set your alarm; instead sleep until you awaken naturally. Note how long you slept,” says George. “Repeat this for as many nights as it takes for the pattern to become regular. This is your natural and most restful sleep cycle. If you have to get up at a certain time, go to bed early enough to get in all the hours you need. Try to wake up gently, perhaps with an alarm clock that plays soft music.”

18. Create your own comfort book. Carry a notebook with you and when you see a place you’d like to visit, such as a beach or bookstore, or something you’d like to do, write it down, suggests Louden. Jot down favorite books and movies, too. “You want details. Often, when you feel stressed and need to take care of yourself, you can’t think of what might satisfy you.” Your comfort book can act as a resource guide, giving you uplifting ideas any time you feel stressed. Self-care will soon become a habit.

See part 7 of 8 in this series!