Welcome to the Wellness Council, our handpicked holistic health squad: a tightly curated group that gives the best advice this side of your own personal guru.
In this article, supermodel and WelleCo founder Elle Macpherson shares her secrets to a great night's rest. Because if anyone knows about getting her beauty sleep, it's the healthy supermodel.
What she writes about next is up to you—tell us what what you're dying to know! Send questions and ideas to experts@www.wellandgood.com.
I believe in the power of sleep! When the kids were younger I didn’t think twice about late nights and early mornings. I’d start my day with an espresso and off I’d go.
But not getting enough sleep started taking its toll—my adrenals were stressed and I wasn’t feeling well. Even though I believed I was living a healthy lifestyle, I was cancelling out all my good habits by not allowing my body to rest at night. I learned that when we sleep, our bodies have time to recharge and adequately repair. Now I get my seven hours a night.
What else have I learned? Here are the five most important things for me to do to get a good night's sleep.
Have a regular bedtime—and routine
I am pretty simple with my bedtime routine. The focus of our evenings is family time—we love having dinner together as much as possible—with some quiet time to wind down before bed. Sometimes it can be tricky having an international business (Australia is waking up in my evening), but I try and go to bed around 10 p.m. and wake up around 5 a.m. I start the wind-down process at about 9 p.m.—it’s usually a shower, or sometimes if I need to relax, a bath.
Prep for beauty sleep (literally)
In the shower I wash my face with NeoStrata Foaming Glycolic Wash, then moisturize with one of Dr. Sebagh’s products. Right before I hop into bed I use Arianna Skin Care Collagen Boost Eye Serum and Lucas’ Paw Paw ointment on my lips. And I always have 17 ounces of water next to my bed.
Enjoy the art of tea
After my shower I make a pot of our Sleep Welle Fortified Calming Tea. The medicinal herbs—including valerian root, hops, and skullcap—combined with the ritual of making a tea helps me wind down before bed. I also do a little spritz of our Sleep Welle Pillow Mist. Its blend of lavender and chamomile reduces tension and anxiety and works to help me drift off to sleep easily.
Clear your mind
I like to have a notepad next to my bed to jot down any ideas I’ve had during the day that could keep me awake at night. Sometimes I use it to write a to-do list. Did you know that, historically, it was common to wake in the night and write down your dreams or whisper them to your partner in bed? Sleep was valued more. I hope we shift back to that way of thinking again.
Relax your body through yoga and breathing
There’s a great yoga pose where you lie on your back with your legs up the wall and your arms outstretched that helps calm a racing mind. I often do this for five minutes, focusing on my breath, before I turn the lights out. You can do it in bed with your legs up the wall; afterwards I promise you will have no trouble drifting off.
The perennial “Australian Girl Next Door,” supermodel Elle Macpherson has been a prominent figure in business, fashion, film, and television for the past 30 years. In addition to achieving global fame as a model and actress, Macpherson has won scores of awards for her ingenuity and entrepreneurial drive. Today, she serves as the co-founder and creative director for WelleCo, a premium wellness brand known for its alkalizing Super Elixir organic supplements.
What should Elle write about next? Send your questions and suggestions to experts@www.wellandgood.com.
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