Artist Rachael Sarra Shares the Bedtime Tricks That Help Ease Her Anxiety and Stress
Welcome to Bedtime Stories, an interview series where we ask inspiring individuals to share their nighttime routine and sleep secrets – from the beauty products they can’t live without to the tricks they swear by when they’re too tired to function (no coffee needed). For this instalment, artist and designer Rachael Sarra, shares all the sleep tricks that help ease her anxiety and stress.
It's widely understood that the most successful people work until a very late hour and wake up before the break of dawn, normally only getting a few hours of sleep a night. However, that's not necessarily the case for artist Rachael Sarra.
Staying up until 1am answering emails and scrolling through socials isn't part of her nighttime routine, 4.30am alarms are nonexistent and her skincare routine doesn't even involve an extensive lineup of expensive products. Instead, this proud Goreng Goreng woman takes a more relaxed and simple approach to her downtime.
While Rachael admits her routine is less than perfect, what we love about it is that it's relatable, it's doable and it's probably the reason she is energised and full of light during her waking hours.
Here, Bed Threads Journal sits down with the incredibly talented creative who reveals all the simple sleep tricks that help ease her nighttime anxiety and stress.
Hi Rachael! Welcome to Bedtime Stories. Can you walk us through your bedtime routine?
I have always been more of a night person than a morning person, and will most often go to bed at around 11pm. With my work and life in general, I’m always thinking critically and emotionally, so it can be very draining and hard to switch off.
My bedtime ritual is to try to go to sleep with the least amount of anxiety or stress so that I don’t sleep anxiously. Some nights I’ll need a warm Epsom salts bath and journaling, and other nights I’ll need to binge-watch some Netflix to switch-off and not think about anything.
What sleep or beauty products do you swear by that you won’t go a night without?
I’m a pretty simple gal. I don’t really use a lot of products on my face at night time, and just ensure my face is clean. Two products I absolutely swear by are the Neutrogena Oil-free Cleanser and the Go-To Face Hero. If my skin is particularly dry, especially in winter, then I’ll add the Go-To Face Moisturiser, too, but usually the face oil is just right for my skin.
What is your solution for those nights you simply can’t nod off to sleep?
I’m a huge fan of a little dab of lavender oil on your chest and temples. You can get the fancy sleep mixes, but I usually just cut straight to the chase and go in with the lavender.
I also just think chilling out and trying not to force it works. I used to calculate my sleep and think things like, ‘Okay, if fall asleep at this exact minute and wake up at that time then I’ll only get X amount of sleep’. But now I've learned to just go with the flow and try not to force it.
What time does your alarm go off in the morning?
Because I'm a night person, if I don’t have to be up for something then I won’t be awake before 8:30am most of the time. My mornings are pretty slow (in fact, as I share my routine with you, I think I really need to switch up my habits!).
In the mornings I’ll wake up, have a coffee and grab my pug Franklin for a cuddle. I’ll do a bit of a browse of my notifications and emails, and gauge if I’ve got any new hard deadlines for the day. I think I should be an example of what not to do if you want to be healthy and run a business!
What are three things (besides coffee) that help when you’re too tired to function?
1. Self-care: I'll make sure to chill out with Franklin and be kind to myself.
2. A good playlist: I’m really into artists Barkaa and Birdz at the moment. Plus, I've been throwing it back to some Avril Lavigne.
3. A green juice: At one point I did get into green juices made with celery, apple, kiwi and lemon, but then it became too much effort to clean up!
What do you normally eat for breakfast to kick start your day?
An instant coffee made with oat milk will do the trick for me! But I do love a gluten-free toast with peanut butter and a glass of water.
For more from Rachael, had to her site here and follow her on Instagram @sar.ra_.
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