Running a business is incredibly rewarding, but it can also be stressful (and downright exhausting), which is why I lean so hard on self care. But if you’re anything like me, you might not always have the energy to do all the things that are needed to take care of you mental, physical and spirtual well being on a consistent basis. That, and no face mask or green juice can compete with the power of a consistent, great sleep! So thinking about this a few months ago, I had a powerful reframe.

Instead of trying to do all the self care things, what if I just made great sleep the one non negotiable?

Here’s why that hit: when I’m sleeping well, I naturally eat better, have more energy to hit the gym and feel like my best, unstoppable self. But when stress takes over, I tend to sacrifice sleep first. Cue late night podcasts, my phone in bed, too much scrolling and disrupted rest. The result? Less energy, less motivation and way more stress.

So I stripped it back. If I nail sleep, everything else follows. And when I committed to these four simple night time habits, everything changed:

1. PHONES OFF 30 MINS BEFORE BED

This one’s hard and I’m definitely not perfect at it, but I always sleep better when I stick to it. Instead of scrolling, I’ll usually read or sometimes I’m lucky to get a family “bed in” where we all pile on the bed or hang in my bedroom. There’s something about teens getting chatty at night and it’s always my favourite way to end the day!

Take away: Better sleep starts the moment you put the phone away.

2. NO PHONES IN THE BEDROOM

Why? Because when my phone’s nearby, I convince myself I’m just listening to a podcast . . . but end up scrolling. Every. Single. Time. And nothing wrecks my sleep faster.

Now, when my phone is off and out of reach, my brain powers down too. I fall asleep faster, sleep deeper and wake up ready to actually function. Plus, my kids see me modeling healthy tech boundaries (a win I’ll take any day).

I have been loving this simple alarm clock (thank you, Amazon), and I even got one for my husband and kids. It wakes me up with the sound of birds chirping and the brightness level can be turned all the way down.

My other little hack for early gym mornings? I set my bedside alarm for 5:00am then set my phone alarm for 5:07am, but my phone is across the hall in the bathroom. That means I have to physically get up before the second alarm goes off or it wakes the entire house.

3. SUPPLEMENTS THAT SUPPORT SLEEP & STRESS

I’m not a doctor, but here’s what works for me: magnesium, rhodiola and l-theanine.

Magnesium is a powerhouse as it supports deeper sleep, helps the body manage stress, aids in muscle recovery and research even shows it plays a big role in anxiety and depression. Rhodiola is another favourite, it’s an adaptogen that helps calm my nervous system and take the edge off stress.

I also keep melatonin by my bed for those nights when my brain just won’t quit and I’m worried I won’t sleep. It’s very effective, but I use it sparingly since it’s is a hormone daily use can throw off your body’s natural rhythm. Research shows it’s safe and helpful short term, but it’s not meant to be a regular, every night solution.

The trick? I keep everything on my nightstand so I never forget. Tiny habit, big impact.

Take away: The right supplements can work behind the scenes to boost your sleep, mood and stress resilience.

4. SET YOURSELF UP FOR THE MORNING

Future me always thanks present me for this one. Before bed, I do a quick reset:

Lay out my gym outfit on the couch (so I don’t wake up my husband rustling around).
Pack my lunch or at least have the meal prep components ready.
Fill my water bottle.
Decide what workout I’m doing the next morning.

Basically, I remove every possible excuse not to follow through. When everything is ready to go, I don’t have to waste time or will power. I just get up and move. BUT, and it’s a big but, if I need sleep more than a work out, sleep always wins. An extra hour goes a long way and I can always get in some steps later to make up for missing the gym.

Take away: A few minutes of prep at night means fewer excuses, more follow through and way better mornings.

Final Take Away

The reason I prioritize my night routine isn’t just about sleep, it’s about what it gives me the next day: less stress, less overwhelm, better health, more energy and the biggest goal of all . . . more JOY.

Trust me! Your mornings, your mood and your whole life start the night before. Future you will thank you.

XO, ANDREA

PS - I love a sock heatless curl to save time and save heat styling my hair!