by C Sawyer
Sleep Well During the Holidays (and All Year Long!)
The holidays can be a stressful time. We often feel overwhelmed trying to do it all, and that can really impact our sleep. But quality sleep is so important for our overall health, especially during this busy season.
It’s easy to get caught up in negative self-talk, especially when we’re trying to relax before bed. But don’t worry, here are some tips to help you maximize your sleep during the holidays and beyond:
1. Stick to a Schedule
Go to bed and wake up around the same time each day, even on weekends and holidays. This helps regulate your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.
2. Listen to Your Body
When you feel tired, go to bed! Don’t toss and turn for hours waiting to fall asleep.
3. Take a Break
If you can’t fall asleep after 20 minutes, get up and do something relaxing until you feel sleepy.
4. Avoid Stimulants and Depressants
Nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol can all interfere with sleep. Avoid them for at least 4-6 hours before bedtime.
5. Make Your Bedroom a Sleep Sanctuary
Use your bed only for sleep and intimacy. Avoid working, eating, or watching TV in bed.
6. Create a Relaxing Bedtime Routine
Develop a calming pre-sleep ritual to wind down. This could include stretching, meditation, reading, or taking a warm bath.
7. Enjoy a Soothing Bath
A hot bath an hour or two before bed can help you relax and prepare for sleep.
8. Get Moving
Regular exercise can improve sleep quality. Aim for morning or afternoon workouts, and avoid strenuous activity close to bedtime.
9. Eat a Balanced Diet
What you eat can affect your sleep. Enjoy a balanced diet throughout the day and have a light snack before bed. A warm glass of milk can be especially helpful.
10. Don’t Clock Watch
Constantly checking the clock can increase anxiety and make it harder to fall asleep. Turn your clock away from your bed.
By following these tips, you can prioritize sleep and enjoy a more restful and rejuvenating holiday season. Read up on other selfcare tips and explore our range of luxury lavender products to help you take care of what matters most, you!
by C Sawyer
Lavender has long been recognized for its therapeutic properties. Here are some ways you can incorporate lavender into your wellness routine:
Aromatherapy
Topical Application
Culinary Use
Other Uses
Remember:
- Consult a healthcare professional: If you have underlying health conditions or are pregnant, consult with a healthcare professional before using lavender.
- Patch test: Before applying lavender oil to your skin, do a patch test to check for any allergic reactions.
- Quality products: Ensure you are using high-quality lavender essential oil or products.
By incorporating lavender into your wellness routine, you can experience its many benefits and promote overall well-being. Check our other Blog post to find more healthcare and selfcare articles!
by C Sawyer
As we embrace the holiday season, we remember the joys and stresses of celebrating and getting together with family, friends, and loved ones. Even with the pandemic still influencing our decisions regarding the holidays, we’ve put together some easy tips you can use, regardless of how you’re celebrating.
Embrace Dip
Every great event has great food. If you’re out of practice preparing a feast, turn to this Creamy Herbes de Provence Dip recipe from Canadian Living to ensure your appetizers are incredible.
A Gift for the Host
A great guest always brings a host or hostess gift. Consider gifting all-natural, organic skincare you feel good using.
Bring a Dish to Share
Consider making some incredible buns or bread to add to the meal. Check out this recipe for Olive Oil and Herbes de Provence Bread that both inexperienced and experienced bakers can prepare.
Overstock the Bar
If you’re hosting an event where alcohol is served, overstock your bar to ensure guests have their drink of choice. Consider setting up a self-serve bar to free yourself up and put guests in control of their drinks.
Set Up a Kid-Friendly Space
Set up an area just for the kids. This area may include items like coloring books and crayons, kid-friendly food, playdough, and more. It creates a space where kids can be themselves.
As we embrace the holidays and hosting events, we want to spend more time with our guests than cooking, cleaning, and tending bar. Embrace the holiday season!
Our new Bundles make gifting quick and easy over the holidays, Subscription Plans ensure your gift is enjoyed through the whole year too! Check out more Blog post to get skin care tips for winter.
by C Sawyer
Here are some popular examples of lavender used in desserts and beverages:
Desserts
- Lavender shortbread cookies: A classic shortbread cookie infused with lavender for a delicate floral flavor.
- Lavender lemon cupcakes: A sweet and tangy cupcake with a hint of lavender.
- Lavender panna cotta: A creamy Italian dessert with a subtle lavender flavor.
- Lavender chocolate truffles: Rich chocolate truffles infused with lavender for a unique and indulgent treat.
Beverages
- Lavender Earl Grey tea: A classic tea blend with a floral twist.
- Zen Zzz’s Organic Herbal Tea: The ultimate calming beverage, hot or cold.
- Lavender lemonade: A refreshing summer drink with a touch of lavender.
- Lavender mojito: A classic mojito with a lavender-infused simple syrup.
- Lavender hot chocolate: A cozy and comforting hot chocolate with a lavender flavor.
These are just a few examples of how lavender can be incorporated into desserts and beverages. The possibilities are endless, so feel free to experiment and find your favorite combinations. Culinary Lavender available on the Shop is perfect for use in your desserts and beverages. Check out other Blog posts here on Belvedere Lavender or visit our online store to see our wide range of Lavender for use in the kitchen!
by C Sawyer
The last few years have seen a surge in popularity of lavender essential oils for skincare routines, but there are many other ways to bring the magic of lavender into your life! Love Lavender? We have great news, you can use it almost everywhere!
Most of us are familiar with lavender oil, likely because it is one of the most popular essential oils in the world. With a plethora of innovative ways to use this oil to boost your health and wellness, let’s look at these great tips:
Use Lavender to Make an All-Purpose Cleaner
Avoid nasty, harsh cleaning chemicals by using lavender to make an all-purpose cleaner for counters, floors, stovetops, etc. The ingredients are simple! Just take a large spray bottle, add a cup of white vinegar, about a tablespoon of baking soda, a cup or so of water, and then add lavender essential oil drops (as many as needed for the desired scent). Mix gently, and you have a beautifully scented general-purpose cleaner for your home. Also, because lavender is antibacterial, you will have added health benefits – two for one!
Use Lavender All-Natural Laundry Detergent
Using lavender laundry detergent along with distilled white vinegar is a safe, easy, and effective way to get clean clothing that smells incredible. Lavender’s antibacterial properties ensure your laundry is disinfected naturally. A rule of thumb is 1 tablespoon of our laundry detergent for every 1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar. Good for 48 loads!
Use Lavender to Scent Your Closets and Drawers
Putting a sachet with lavender flowers adds this wonderful fragrance to any number of areas/spaces in your home. Another option is to add lavender essential oil to a piece of cloth, then put that in a fabric bag and place it in drawers, in your closet, or other areas that get that musty smell, such as storage areas and broom closets. Or try a lavender sachet in your suitcases when traveling.
Use Lavender for Great Sleep
The fragrance of lavender essential oil is a very effective way to induce deep, rejuvenating sleep. Clinical testing has proven how this essential oil not only gently induces sleep but is also effective for incidences of insomnia.
To get a great sleep, try using a lavender sachet in your bed or using lavender mist on your pillow and/or comforter.
For more information on the magic of lavender, join our newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. You can also shop for Belvedere Lavender skincare products on our online store.
