Aaahh sleep… I love my sleep, but like so many others I rarely get enough of it. Whether it’s because my mind is too busy to let me sleep or because I’ve woken in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and have woken up far too much to fall instantly back to sleep, or sometimes it’s the dog that wakes me to let me know his aging bladder needs to go out in the garden… again.
Whatever the reason I don’t get quite enough sleep I know it has nothing to do with what I am wearing. I used to spend little to no attention to my bedtime wardrobe and I know plenty of others that don’t either. But I discovered that what you wear to bed can make a big difference to your whole sleeping experience.
I like to wear nice clothes – not necessarily expensive ones, but ones that make me feel good - to work, or when I am out with friends, going to the shopping mall etc. so why is it, that when it’s time to relax and unwind do so many of us just throw on some old track pants, a slightly stained t-shirt and a pair of what used to be fluffy socks that we’ve been meaning to replace for some time?
We are basically telling ourselves that it’s important that everybody else gets to see the nice stuff, but when we are alone we aren’t worthy of the good stuff.
“Oh… but it’s comfortable” “It does me” “it’s old and familiar”.
Are just some of the reasons I’ve been given for sleeping in old leggings and a t-shirt bought at a concert so long ago that’s too faded to wear out anymore.
Just as what you wear to work can empower you, energise you, make you feel good, get you in the right headspace for the day ahead, what you wear to bed and/or to relax should calm you, comfort you, relax you, and make you feel good about yourself, so you can settle down feeling contented and calm.
I first discovered this when I finally treated myself to a pair of ‘Peter Alexander’ pyjamas. (Peter Alexander’s is a Pyjama store here in Australia, it’s a dedicated store that sells only pj’s, nighties, slippers etc.) They are not cheap, but they had a good sale on, so I decided it was time to indulge my self in this little luxury. Little did I know that this one purchase was going to start a whole chain of events…
I felt so good in them, I looked forward to putting them on each night. I started to do other things like, light a scented candle, listen to calming music, have a soft lamp on instead of the main lighting in my room. Before I knew it, my bedroom had changed from being a simple, functional bedroom to a full-on luxury sanctuary.
My night-time routine was inducing a state of calmness and relaxation that I had never experienced before… and it all started with my fancy-pants pyjamas.
It spilled over to other things too, keeping my ‘sanctuary’ free of clutter, clean, tidy, and organised became a natural thing, I can’t remember the last time I didn’t make my bed in the morning. I love my room more and more each day. Last week, after a hard day’s work I actually found myself letting out a little contented sigh when I came home and opened my bedroom door. I can’t help but feel grateful for this wonderful space, and feeling and expressing gratitude brings us more to be grateful for. It’s created an upward spiral of positivity and feeling good! All this from a set of Pyjamas! Yes, I know how crazy it sounds, but it is all true!
If you want to start being kinder to yourself, to start a self-care routine, I can think of no better start than to treat yourself to a really beautiful set of pj’s.
It doesn’t have to be expensive and you don’t have to go to a specialist store, I have some great pyjamas from Kmart that have just cost me $5,$10,$15.
My criteria for great pj’s are simple
1. Do I like the style?
2. Do I like the colour/pattern?
3. Do they have the right size for me?
4. Do I like the feel of the fabric against my skin?
The first two are pretty basic criteria for most people shopping for clothing, but the thing that takes them from making you feel okay in them to feeling fabulous in them, is not how they look but how they feel on you, so if they don’t fit right or the fabric is stiff or itchy you are never going to relax and feel good in them no matter how pretty they are.
These pyjamas had such an impact on me, I had to go out and get some more, I have become a bit of a pro at choosing pyjamas now, I have so many I almost have as much choice as to what to wear to bed as I do to go out each morning. I love shopping for them, it doesn’t matter which store I am in, if they have a pyjama section, I will find my way there. 😂
I’m not suggesting that everyone has to become quite as obsessed as I am with pj’s but, if you are still wearing your old togs to bed, pop out and treat yourself to a comfy, soft, warm, cosy pair of pj’s and see the difference it makes to your life.
(p.s don’t forget to pick up some new fluffy socks too)
If you enjoyed reading 'Why I Love My PJ’s and My New Self Care Routine' you may enjoy '14 Self Care Quotes That Will Inspire You to Take Some Time Out For Yourself'
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