”Discover the great ideas that lie inside you by discovering the power of sleep.” – Arianna Huffington, author of The Sleep Revolution Awaking without an alarm clock. Letting the body and mind in tandem wake up after having receiving the necessary amounts of sleep, my goal as I move forward in life is to have more mornings awoken only by the morning murmurs of the fresh air, the birdsong, the quiet of the house as the sun begins to gently start the day. If you have ever experienced jet lag, you know what it feels like, what it sounds like when your body and mind to speak, asking, "Why aren't we sleeping right now?". Whether you are traveling across multiple time zones or not, your body and mind need deep consistent rest, and when we listen to and honor what we hear, we begin to live a life of healthy harmony. We are better able to manage our emotions, stay present, be patient, think clearing and so much more. Sharing the nine benefits of a good night's sleep a couple of years ago, I have no doubt you know the importance and value of a good night's sleep, but knowing and creating a space in our sanctuaries to offer a nightly restful slumber can be two different things. Today, inspired by the completion of my primary bedroom's restyling (stop by next week on the blog for a tour - before and after photos included along with all of the details, links and decisions behind the choices), I wanted to introduce next week's post with a post sharing 36 Bedtime Daily Rituals and Essential Details for a restful slumber. To know what we need is one thing. To know how to cultivate it can be a bit more difficult to ascertain, but what I have learned over the years having never used an alarm clock during my teenage years, the daily necessary ingredient for an everyday of contentment is a good night's sleep. Forward thinking as well as remaining in the present are advisable for living a life of contentment as well; however, reflecting upon times in our life when we felt contentment can be incredibly helpful. And so it was my reflection on my teenage years, reminding me of how I lived which enabled me to live without an alarm clock and still live a full life, rise early enough to begin the day without rush and reduce or eliminate my worries. While taking time, two decades in fact, my bedroom decor as well as my daily rituals surrounding sleep cultivate a necessary portion of daily life I deeply savor, look foward to and find incredibly life lifting when I consciously prioritize my sleep which has been essential to enjoying my days. First the concrete essential details present in the bedroom to assist in cultivating an inviting and restful bedroom: ~Be sure to tune in to the audio version as much more detail is shared on each item in the lists below. Essential Details 1.Easily accessible and easy to utilize dimmable bedside table lamps or wall sconces 2. Tranquil wall covering - paint or wallpaper 3. Small trays on the bedside table(s) 4. A full glass of water and carafe 5. Linen sheets and pillowcases - year round 6. A top blanket for napping during the day 7. Lavender (or one's favorite scent for calm) hand lotion 8. Lip balm 9. Candles and match striker 10. Writing utensil 11. Journal 12. Books for reading which calm the mind 13. Window treatment enabling you to open your window and provide privacy when needed 14. A bolster (or traversin in French) 15. Natural light 16. A mix of prints and solids, textures and fabrics 17. Include the three pillars of tangible decor details - (1) natural fabrics, (2) metals and (3) natural material (i.e. (1) linen, cotton, wool; (2) brass or silver, etc. - stick to the same hue, finish may vary; (3) wood, bamboo, seagrass, etc. 18. For a calm aesthetic - Select three colors and vary the hues ”Sleep helps you win at life.” – Amy Poehler Limit or remove: access to the internet (phone, tablet, computer) excessive photos and décor (cluttere