Sleep, wake, repeat. Read all about how our friends optimize their surroundings, unwind, and relax the mind for a good night—every night.
We sat down with Dr. Roohi Qureshi, the founder of Leaves of Trees, an artisanal, all-natural face and body care brand, to talk about her nightly bedtime rituals.
Double, Queen, or King?
Queen. I need room to move around while changing my sleeping positions plus I need room for my pets.
Why is a good night’s sleep important to you?
A good night's sleep is critical to having enough energy, focus and calm the next day. A lot of important physiological processes occur while we are sleeping and if you don't get enough sleep it can have a negative impact on many aspects of your being.
How many hours of sleep do you get a night—or at least dream of getting?
6-8 hours. I find that if I get less than 8 hours of sleep per night that I feel tired the next day, but sometimes there is so much going on that it is just not possible to get a full 8 hours. I find that napping during the day can really help me to make up any deficit. I short 20 minute nap can really give you a boost.
Are you a dreamer?
Yes.
What’s currently on your bedside table?
I just recently decluttered my bedside table. The focal point of my bedside table is my green marble nocte lamp. I love it because you can dim or brighten it by degrees just by tapping the bar. My bedside table also holds a box of tissues, the remote to my Mitsubishi Mr. Slim heating/cooling unit, an iphone charger, lip balm and whichever book I am reading.
Do you partake in any nightly routine before settling into bed?
In winter I like to have a hot shower or steam with eucalyptus essential oil before bed. It makes me feel so relaxed.
Tell us about where the magic happens—and by magic, we mean sleep. How do you optimize your sleep environment?
I try to keep my bedroom exclusively for sleeping. I don't work or watch TV there. I have about 40 plants in my bedroom which make it look very lush and inviting. It feels good to enter a calm, beautiful space at the end of the day. I also keep the temperature in my bedroom low as I find it more comfortable for sleeping. I have blackout blinds on the skylight in my bedroom and I wear a silk sleep mask to block out any light from the other window. My bed is really comfortable - maybe too comfortable because sometimes it's hard to leave it! I have a featherbed mattress topper and I sleep with a down duvet so it kind of feels like I am sandwiched in the middle of a fluffy cloud. I use only white cotton sheets.
If you feel a restless night coming on, is there anything you do to help get you through the night without waking?
If I am feeling restless I find that prayer helps to decrease the anxiety and so does thinking of all the things for which I am grateful.
What kind of pillows do you use to keep your head in the clouds?
I use memory foam pillows but I am flexible. I can fall asleep with any in-between firmness pillow.
Last but not least, what is your number one piece of can’t-sleep-without advice?
Early to sleep and early to rise is a cliche but it really is the best advice.