A cosy winter guide to rest, rituals and creating a bedroom sanctuary
“Sleep is the best meditation”
That line, “Sleep is the best meditation” – is attributed to Dalai Lama.
We return to it often at this time of year.
Not as instruction….as permission.
Mid-January is still hard wintering. The days are short, energy is low and many people find their sleep feels lighter, more broken, or harder to reach. If that’s you, it’s not a personal failing – it’s a seasonal response.
Rest doesn’t always come from effort. Often, it comes from making it feel safe to arrive.
Start with light (it matters more than you think)
Light is one of the strongest cues your body uses to regulate sleep and wakefulness.
Bright, cool lighting in the evening can quietly keep the nervous system alert. Softer, warmer light helps signal that it’s time to slow down.
One of my favourite small changes has been using a Block Blue Light bulb. The one I use, offers settings that support circadian rhythms – brighter during the day, warmer and calmer at night – without making your home feel clinical.
Think cosy sanctuary, with a hint of biohacking lab.
Sweet Dreams Sleep Light Bulb – Block Blue Light (use link for 10% discount)
Wind-down begins before bedtime
Sleep rarely starts at bedtime. It starts with how the evening unfolds.
Helpful cues include:
- Lowering lights after dinner
- Charging your phone outside the bedroom
- Changing into comfortable clothes earlier than usual
- Allowing evenings to feel slower, even if the day wasn’t
These aren’t rules. They’re signals of safety to the nervous system.
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Pre-bed drinks we return to
Warm drinks are one of the simplest ways to support sleep in winter.
Ancient & Brave – Collagen & Cacao
Grounding, comforting and alcohol-free. A gentle alternative when you want something warming without stimulation.
Cosmic Dealer – Herbal Teas
Modern herbal blends that feel calming rather than medicinal, ideal for evenings.
Both feature in the Bright Edit, curated for an easy real-life rather than extremes. Look out for the upcoming non-toxic kettle edit, so you know your water is microplastic-less.
My top pick: create a bedroom sanctuary
Instead of adding more routines, the biggest shift has come from letting the bedroom itself do more of the work.
A space the body recognises as calm, familiar and restorative.
- Grounding – A grounding sheet from GroundWell adds an easy step to elevate wellbeing while you sleep.
Bedsheet – GroundingWell (use link for 10% discount)
- Warm repetition – A bedtime tea or cacao – the same choice most nights. Familiarity matters.
- Scent – A simple pillow spray, used consistently. Over time, scent becomes a shortcut to rest.
- Gentle support – Magnesium works for me and forms part of my wind-down. It’s support, not a solution.
- Evening light – A few minutes of red light before bed, paired with warm ambient lighting. I also rely on Block Blue Light bulbs in the bedroom to support natural rhythms.
- Waking gently – A Lumie sunrise alarm clock helps mornings feel less abrupt during darker months – a gradual return to light rather than a jolt.
Bodyclock Spark 100 – Lumie (use link for 10% discount via Healf)
None of this needs to be done perfectly. It’s about reducing friction and letting the environment support rest.
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When rest needs extra support
Sometimes home rituals aren’t enough – particularly during periods of stress, grief, hormonal change or nervous-system overload.
That’s where guided experiences can help. On the Bright Sessions page, you’ll find sound baths, breathwork and deeply restorative events we genuinely rate – experiences designed to help the body switch off without pressure or performance.
Sometimes rest arrives more easily when it’s supported.
A winter reminder
Winter isn’t asking for productivity. It’s asking for warmth, repetition and kindness to the nervous system.
Spring will come. For now, creating a place to rest is enough.
You’ll find more sleep-supporting tools, drinks and events across Bright Life, Bright Edit and Bright Sessions – always curated with care.
Restful wishes, Lauren x
#TheArtOfWellness
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