There’s nothing worse than an unsatisfying sleep. After struggling with my own bedtime woes for months, here are five things that have helped transform the quality of my rest.

Over the past few months, my sleeping patterns have been atrocious. A long-time early rise, I’m usually up and out the door before the sun rises, finishing a Pilates workout before my partner has even rolled over. 

But despite getting myself into bed at a seemingly early hour at night, I’ve been spending most nights over the past few months falling in and out of sleep, waking up feeling groggy and less rested than ever before. 

Unable to cope with the lingering sense of exhaustion that clouds my ability to think clearly and work efficiently throughout the day, I’ve become desperate to address my nighttime woes.

Bedtime routines have become somewhat of a trend as of late, and while I’m all for anything that encourages us to focus on our well-being, some people’s interpretations of what it takes to achieve a ‘good night’s sleep’ are, frankly, ridiculous. 

And as much as I love watching people talk about their complicated sleep routines on TikTok – complete with mouth-taping tutorials and sleepytime mocktails – I know I’d never be able to stick to the same high-maintenance regime every night. 

Like most things in life, my sleep quality constantly changes depending on how I'm feeling, how busy I am or how much stress I’m under. With that in mind, I’m firmly of the belief that no magic routine or product will consistently work for me forever.

While some of my friends swear by the power of repetition when it comes to their meal-prepping, skincare, workout schedule and sleep, I’m someone who thrives on variety. So, instead, I’ve been testing out some highly recommended (and affordable) products to see if any make a difference to my nightly slumber. 

Without developing a dependency on any particular product, gadget or formula, I’ve found five sleep-saving must-haves that have helped me get a grip on my nighttime routine and quality of sleep. 

If I’ve had a stressful day (and need a little more help to drift off to sleep) I might reach for a a few of these handy helpers, but it truly depends on how I’m feeling – and if I can be bothered.

Rest Hot Chocolate Blend, $29.99 from designedbydietitians.com 

Originally, I was pretty sceptical about whether or not I’d be able to incorporate this better-for-you hot choc into my weekly routine, as someone who has a notorious aversion to the taste of wellness powders and supplements. The first time I boiled the kettle and made up the drink, I was expecting I’d need to add milk to help mask the flavour but was pleasantly surprised to find it tasted exactly like the kind of hot chocolate they’re always sipping on in holiday movies. 

Developed by dietitians Susie Burrell and Leanne Ward, the 67-calorie-per-serve hot chocolate blend contains essential amino acids, magnesium, chamomile, passionflower, and jujube extracts. On nights that I feel like a sweet treat, this drink has been the perfect way to wind down in the evening before heading to bed.

Shopehere

Sheet Society Bed Spray, $45 from sheetsociety.com

What’s better than the smell of fresh sheets? Nothing. I’m someone that is very picky when it comes to what scents are allowed inside my house – especially the bedroom – and haven’t found this one from Sheet Society to be irritating or overpowering at all. Spritzing this blend of lavender and sandalwood over my pillowcases and sheets is a fun ritual to do each night before jumping into bed and an easy way to transport my mind to a relaxed state. 

Best known for its top-quality bedding, the brand now has an entire range of sleep-inducing products, such as magnesium spray, magnesium balm, and soothing body oil, so if bedding spray isn’t for you, it’s worth trying something else.

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SLIP Queen Size Pillowcase, $99 from sephora.com.au

There’s a reason everyone is so obsessed with silk pillowcases – they really do make a difference in the bedroom. There are plenty of brands that make similar-feeling satin pillowcases, but if you want to kill two birds with one stone and address your skin and hair concerns along with getting a great night’s rest, I’d recommend opting for a (slightly more pricey) pure silk case. Since swapping all pillowcases in the house over to silk ones, bedtime has become noticeably more enjoyable – and I’ve noticed my skin and hair look fresher in the morning too. 

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Therabody SleepMask, $119 from therabody.com

This next recommendation isn’t one I use every night, but one that I keep on my bedside table for emergencies. I have never been someone who has been able to nap freely during the day as an adult, finding it impossible to switch my mind off. While not being able to nap isn’t exactly an example of terrible adversity, as a chronic migraine sufferer who is pretty dependent on sleep to help my medication kick in, an inability to sleep on demand has proven to be absolute torture at times. 

This blackout Therabody mask, sitting as light and comfortable as any other standard sleeping mask, produces soft vibrations for as long as its wearer desires, helping them drift off with ease. It’s become one of my most handy tools when a migraine hits and I can't wait to put it to use when travelling (I only wish I had known about this mask before hopping on a 14-hour flight to Athens earlier this year…).

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Lanolips 12-Hour Overnight Lip Mask, $19.95, adorebeauty.com.au

While it might not appear obvious at first glance, the lip balm you choose can make or break a good night’s sleep. I usually have a few on hand on my nightstand, but have discovered through much trial and error, that not every brand is equipped to go the distance. Dry lips will constantly wake me up, so finding a balm that carries my lips through to the morning has been essential.

This cult favourite from Lanolips has become my go-to since winter. Layering the balm on my lips is the last thing I do before clocking off for the evening, and time and time again, I wake up the next morning with my lips feeling amazing.

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