Time to Upgrade Your Sleep Toolkit

Ever wonder why you can snap awake at the slightest noise?  Blame it on our ancestors who had to be on high alert in case a lion wandered into the cave. Fast forward to today, and those “lions” have turned into deadlines, work stress, and family worries.

The good news? You can build a toolkit to help you fall asleep, stay asleep, and get back to sleep if you wake up in the middle of the night.

Here’s the thing: Effort is the enemy of sleep. The more we try to force it, the more elusive it becomes. Instead, we want to create rhythms that gently cue our brain it’s time to wind down. Even if you’re not a "routine person" (says the girl who only brushes her teeth so they don’t fall out of her head—and lives in fear of explaining to strangers why she’s a toothless goblin), your brain is. It thrives on patterns and signals.

That’s why having a few simple things you look forward to at night—like using an essential oil, playing a calming playlist, or slipping into your favorite silky pajamas—can make a huge difference.

And no, I’m not anti-phone before bed, as long as you promise me you’re not doomscrolling. Curate content that won’t light up your brain like a Christmas tree. Like cute goats wearing pajamas—I dare you to tell me that doesn’t excite you (but not in a way that keeps you up).

The point is: I want you to get excited about sleep. I want you to love your wind-down routine. The more we associate bedtime with comfort and care instead of pressure or fear, the easier sleep becomes. And remember: keep your room cool and dark, like a cave (but, you know, minus the lions).

And here’s the fun part: everyone’s toolkit looks different. Maybe for you, it’s the sound of a hunky Scotsman reading a sleep story. (Droughtlander is real, y’all.) For me, it’s my Manta Sound Sleep Mask and the background noise of a comedy show I’ve already watched—not because laughter soothes me, but because the sound of dialogue quiets my inner narrator (her name’s Janet, btw). Janet gets mean as the evening goes on, and nothing shuts that lady up faster than the sounds of Schitt’s Creek.

The bigger point? Whatever works, works. Find what makes you feel safe enough to let go.

And if you do wake up in the middle of the night, that’s totally normal. You haven’t failed at sleeping. Your brain just hit a natural wake point. Embrace it, and have a plan. That might mean getting out of bed and doing something that doesn’t require a lot of mental stimulation—like tidying up the kitchen—and then heading back to bed once you feel sleepy again. (And for the record, I hate cleaning, so my brain is usually like, “Can we go back to that other thing, please?”)

Building your sleep toolkit is not a one-and-done assignment. It’s an ongoing experiment. What works for you at 40 might be totally different than what works for you at 65—and that’s not a problem, it’s a sign that you’re adapting. Stay curious. Stay open. Keep trying new things.

Sleep isn’t a pass/fail test. It’s a relationship you’re continually nurturing and tweaking. Some nights will feel effortless, and others might take a little more care—and that’s okay. Just like anything else we value—relationships, careers, our health—sleep deserves that same attention and flexibility.

The key is to have a few tools in your back pocket and to remember it’s good to experiment. What works for one person might not work for another, and what worked for you last year might not work now. Small shifts, practiced over time, can lead to big changes—building the habits that let your brain and body finally relax.

Coming Soon: Sleep Is The Power Move

If you're ready to take your sleep (and your life) to the next level, I’ve got something exciting coming your way. Next month, I’m officially launching Sleep Is The Power Move—an online course for ambitious humans who are ready to stop wearing exhaustion as a badge of honor and start using sleep as their ultimate success tool.

Because here’s the truth: High-achieving humans don’t need more hustle. They need more rest. This course brings you the same strategies and real-world tools I’ve taught to corporate leaders and high performers—now tailored for YOU.

Inside, you’ll get the practical framework to reclaim your rest, rebuild your energy, and unlock the clarity, creativity, and resilience you need to thrive—without burning out.

Want early access and a special launch discount? Sign up here to get on the list!

(Trust me, future you will be very, very grateful.)