If you’ve indulged in any other of our articles this month, you’ll know how we’ve been diving deep into the world of sleep, looking at the importance of good rest, effective relaxation techniques and the wonderful bed-and-bath products we have at BrandAlley.
Continuing this, we spoke to Mum, Model and Influencer, Hayley Buchanan Daines, to find out what’s in her bedroom, how she winds down in the evening and what she cannot possibly sleep without!
Hi, Hayley!
Let’s start with the basics – are you a morning person, or a night owl?
Hey there!
Naturally, I am more of a morning person, but these days (with a one-year-old!), the evenings are a precious time to catch up on life, so I find myself being a night owl too!
We’d love to know more about your “precious time” – do you have a strict night-time routine that helps you to wind down?
When all the madness of the day is over, I love to put a cosy robe and slippers on and do my skincare routine. I will do a proper cleanse and apply my products every evening – the NEOM Perfect Night’s Sleep Face Oil (from the Beautiful Night Sleep & Sleeve Gift Set) is my favourite! Once I have finished applying it, I cup my hands over my face, close my eyes and take deep breaths. The breathing exercise and inhalation of the lavender scent get me ready for a good night sleep!
And is there any food or drink that fits into your night-time ritual?
Yes! You know that age old saying “a hug in a mug”, well herbal teas are a must-have in my routine. They give me a sense of calm, and I will always have a hot one on my bedside. I have a mint tea after dinner to help with digestion to aid sleep quality, and an elderberry & echinacea to sip while I wind down in bed.
As the seasons change, does your night-time routine change, too?
The second the air starts to get cooler, I want to feel cosy, so where I can, I’ll have a bath. I use the NEOM Perfect Night’s Sleep Bath Foam and give myself 20 minutes to relax.
Beautiful Night Sleep & Sleeve Gift Set – £39 – NEOM Organics
What about your bedroom? How do you make that feel cosy?
I love making our bedroom a cosy retreat in the autumn/winter months! I’ll always update the bed sheets, as adding a new throw and cushions can really change the seasonality of a bedroom. To create a sense of calm, I always pop up to our bedroom to set the lighting and turn the diffuser on ahead of bedtime. A pod diffuser with a lavender based oil is an absolute must for me!
We’ve noticed you love to travel. When you’re away from home, is there anything you can’t sleep without?
An eye-mask and cashmere socks! I have used a silk eye mask for years, I am such a light sleeper that I take it with me wherever I go.
Cream Cashmere Ribbed Bed Socks – £29 – No. Eleven
Cream Cashmere Ribbed Hot Water Bottle Cover – £45 – No. Eleven
And last but not least – teach us your ways… How do you juggle getting enough sleep and taking care of yourself, as well as being a Mum & creating content?
Juggle is the word! I’ve taken my foot off the perfectionism pedal, I do my best each day and make use of every spare second (long gone are the evenings of relaxing on the sofa). I don’t always get enough sleep, but I make sure my sleep quality is good with the tips I’ve shared today. My content just works around my life now, which I really enjoy!
