When was the last time you slept a full eight hours? Whether it’s the rat race keeping you up till the early hours of the morning, or the latest binge-worthy series on Netflix stealing your attention—the one thing most of us will compromise on to accommodate other activities is a good night’s sleep.
With a constant pressure to be productive every second, our collective anxiety levels have reached a new high—making it harder than ever to relax and fall into uninterrupted slumber that leaves us well-rested and energetic for the next day. If you often find yourself drifting off with your phone in your hand or your thoughts racing, it might be time to invest in a night routine that is set up specifically to help you unwind.
First, put away your devices—you don’t need anymore blue light interrupting your natural circadian rhythm. If you want something immersive to take your mind off work, turn to a paperback or a kindle—or pick up a journal to pen down your thoughts and reflections. Finally, ease your transition into bedtime by giving your eyes a rest and turning your focus to your sense of smell, hearing and taste.
Here, Vogue lists nine wind down essentials you can buy to transform your room into a sanctuary of rest—one that helps you relax, rejuvenate and drift off to dreamland.
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Ptolemy Aromatique Candle from Aesop
Formulated with vegan ingredients, Aesop’s newly launched trio of candles includes this moody, night-friendly scent. Its earthy and woody fragrance conjures ancient forests through notes of cedar, cypress and vetiver, perfect for calming your senses and lifting the stress of the day from your shoulders.
Available at Aesop
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De-Stress Essential Oil from Aromatherapy Associates
Just a few drops of this blend from Aromatherapy Associates will transform your room into a spa-like haven. Formulated from ethically sourced, pure frankincense, this essential oil will ease your anxiety and get your mind ready for a night of rest.
Available at Net-a-Porter
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Large Aroma Diffuser from Muji
This multi-tasking gadget from Muji features the Japanese store’s trademark minimalist design alongside two sleep-promoting features—an adjustable ambient glow that will help you transition into night mode, and an aroma diffuser to vaporise water and essential oils into a cool, fragrant mist.
Available at Muji
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Silk pillowcase from Slip
There’s nothing quite as comfortable (or skin and hair-friendly) as a silk pillowcase. Beyond its luxurious texture, this celebrity-favourite pillowcase from Slip will be gentle on your complexion, improve absorption of your skincare products, and make sure you wake up well-rested, sans pillow face or bed head.
Available at Farfetch
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Deep Sleep Pillow Spray from This Works
With a blend of lavender, vetivert, and white chamomile essential oils, this highly-rated deep sleep pillow spray works like magic—just a couple of spritzes of this on your pillows, sheets, or blankets and you will sink into the deepest, most uninterrupted sleep you could wish for.
Available at Sephora
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Organic Room Spray from Artisan of Sense
This fragrance from local brand Artisan of Sense smells divine and is made with completely clean ingredients—no synthetic ingredients, parabens or petro-chemicals. With an olfactory signature of fresh and clean rose made deeper with sandalwood and patchouli, it can be used as an aromatherapy mist, linen spray, air freshener or even a body mist.
Available at Artisan of Sense
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Sleep Stories from the Calm App
If you have ever wanted Matthew McConaughey to serenade you to sleep, this is as close as you might get. The Sleep Stories series on the Calm app include soothing bedtime audios that mix music, sound effects and the spoken word (some familiar famous voices may pop up) to help you find your way into a blissful, meditative sleep.
Available on the App Store or Google Play
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Chamomile from TWG Tea
While you should steer clear of caffeine in the evenings, un-caffeinated teas like this calming, fragrant Chamomile blend from home-grown company TWG Tea can go a long way in warming you up as you get ready for bed. Their cotton teabags make your evening cuppa easy to prepare—all you need is five minutes and a kettle of hot water.
Available at TWG Tea
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Original Beans 100% Dark Chocolate from Hello Chocolate
If you need a serotonin boost before heading off to dreamland, this rich and aromatic 100% dark chocolate from local brand Hello Chocolate will give you the perfect bite. With its one and only ingredient being pure cacao, you can stay away from a sugar high close to bedtime while still enjoying the creamy taste of this delectable bar.
Available at Hello Chocolate
