A Chic Paris Lockdown – Day 22 – Beauty Sleep

“Build Rest and Repose Into Your Daily Routine” is the title for Day 22 in Fiona Ferris’s book, 30 Chic Days. Fiona writes about how she has recognized the importance of rest as a healthy cornerstone in a beautiful life. She takes that recognition a step further and creates wonderful rituals to help her enjoy the whole process of rest. I love her discussion of a lovely “wind down” time after dinner and before lights-out. She retreats to the bedroom and has a beautiful routine of self-care that both nurtures the soul and ensures a relaxed, healthful sleep.

Since I, too, get up early so that I can have my “gratitude” walk before the rest of the world gets going, I like to head into “bed time” preparation earlier than I used to. I can remember in my 20’s & 30’s not wanting to go to bed because I loved the quiet of the late evening. I felt as if this time was my only “me” time that I got in the day.  Over time, my schedule flipped and I now start my day with a lovely solitary walk just as the sun is coming up.  This way, no matter what happens in the day, I have a beautiful “me time” start to the day. And, my “before light’s out” time doesn’t have so much responsibility. If that was my only “me” time of the day (and usually very needed after a hectic, rushed morning straight into a full speed day), there would be a lot of pressure on that tired, scant hour.

Now I have a routine after we clean up from dinner.  I check the weather and lay out my clothes for the next day, brush my teeth and remove my makeup. Then I take a nice steamy shower. After the shower is body lotion, maybe a face masque, and definitely a face serum and overnight cream.  At this point, I like to curl up in bed with only the bedside table lamps on for some light reading. Right before total lights out, I like about 10 minutes of a “gratitude meditation.” No deep thoughts or picking over worries – there will be time enough for that tomorrow – just quiet breathing and a feeling of thankfulness. My family is used to the routine and seems comfortable with the idea that after dinner and before bed is “quiet time.”

There is a good reason a good sleep is called “beauty sleep”! With a consistent sleep routine, not only is our skin more beautiful, we feel happier, our minds work better, our health is stronger. Fiona gives us chic ideas to make our rest and before sleep time luxurious and relaxing times of self-care.