Metro Editors Share Their Wind Down Routines Before Sleeping

Happy World Sleep Day!

Are you sleeping well? If not, then you could probably peep our feature on how you can get those better ZZZs in no time. When it comes to winding down, we each have our own routines and practices to help us get ready to hit the sack. One size truly does not fit all, so we gathered our own personal tips and tricks for getting in the mood to sleep, which we hope, can help you create your own. Keep scrolling!

Geolette Esguerra, Editor-in-Chief

"Sleep is really so important for me. In the early days of the pandemic, I’ll stay up until the wee hours of the morning to finish K-Dramas, only to wake up after 3 hours to start my day. It was late last year when I really began a sleep routine: Before anything else, it’s important that I put my little one to sleep. Then I can start preparing a lavender scent routine: I lather on a lavender scented lotion like Lush Sleepy, spritz as bit of lavender scent on my pillow (like Jo Malone Lavender & Musk Pillow Mist), light a candle of lavender for a few minutes (mental note: never leave it burning!)

Then I go to bed. I listen to podcasts, guided meditations, or classical music in bed (I have to use bluetooth earphones like Samsung Galaxy Buds because it’s dangerous to bring anything corded to bed), and for the final touch, I try to read a page of fiction to get me into dreaming mode. A new part of my routine though is the Good Night Drink, a carbonated beverage that is 100% non-alcoholic and all-natural, and made to help me relax and get to deeper sleep. The past few weeks I’ve been using it, I’ve been knocked out into deep sleep, and I found out that it’s because of the lemon balm and hops, both of which are made to promote sleep. Check it out here."

Grace Libero-Cruz, People Editor

"My nighttime routine is pretty simple. I just take a shower; it's a must and a much-deserved me time even more so after sweating, chasing a toddler who doesn't want to freshen up before going to sleep. After which, I do my skincare routine while watching a K-drama. Then I prepare to put my baby to sleep. When he's already asleep, I light a scented candle, stare at a wall and just think of nothing for a few minutes. Then I continue watching a K-drama or random BTS videos on YouTube. Recently, we bought a projector, and I've been watching with that every night until I feel sleepy. That never fails to make me feel relaxed."

Anna Rosete, Living Editor

"It takes a lot for me to wind down. I usually start by painting or sketching. This activity helps my mind get into a state of flow and lowers my stress levels. I also read a page from a devotional which helps me reflect on my day, ending it on a positive note filled with gratitude. I have essential oils to help me sleep: Pili Ani’s Sweet Dreams is formulated with pili and Elemi oils. I then spritz my pillow with Sleep Well from Soul Apothecary. The room is also usually at a comfy 19-21 degrees to help me cocoon. Finally, I watch an episode of a K-Drama, but with all that I’ve done to wind down, I’m out 15 minutes into it."

Randz Manucom, Fashion Editor

"I take 1 tablet of Melatonin 10 mg."

Justin Convento, Culture Editor

"My usual night routine involves 10 minutes wind down easy yin yoga (a must, especially after a long day hunched over on the computer) and 3 or 5 mg of melatonin. I alternate between the two because our bodies naturally produce melatonin, and I don’t want to overdo it and get too sluggish the next morning.

I also play this playlist on Spotify (which Kate, our beauty editor shared with me!) of Chakra Healing frequencies while I do my night skincare, yoga, and light browsing on Pinterest or Instagram (until I fall asleep, whoops—guilty of blue light.)

I’ve been reading up a lot about ways to lower stress and lower cortisol levels, since stress has been keeping me restless up until the wee hours of the morning. In the process, I discovered Ashwagandha, a supplement that has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine. I’ve recently incorporated it because it is a powerful adaptogen, which helps fight stress and anxiety, and also boasts many other benefits. I’ve been taking it for a couple of weeks now and have noticed that I am finding it easier to let go of stressful situations that I cannot control, and helps me sleep deeper at night. (Or keep me asleep for longer!)

I also always sleep with a raw amethyst crystal, which is often regarded as “nature’s tranquilizer,” as well as other calming and cleansing crystals."

Troy Barrios, Food Editor

"I tend to work late into the night, so to unwind I try to read a book or watch a movie totally unrelated to work in the hour before bed. A warm bath, followed by my skin care routine, is very relaxing. My favorite part is sitting up for half an hour or so drying my hair. That really signals that the day is over."

Kate Paras-Santiago, Beauty and Wellness Editor

"My wind down routine usually consists of freshening up, changing into loose, comfortable clothing, doing my skincare routine with a scented candle lit in the background, and watching a movie or an episode of what I'm currently into. After which, I signal my brain to start relaxing by reading my devotional book or my Bible app which has a daily reading. I end my day with prayer, and off to dreamland I go."