5 Simple Shifts that Transformed My Sleep (ft. My Oura Ring)
This blog post is in partnership with Best Buy x Oura Ring & does contain affiliate links! My thoughts and experiences are always my own, and I only recommend products I truly use or think you’ll love.
Hello everyone! Today, I’m sharing about my personal journey toward better sleep and overall well-being. The theme of my thirties has really been about leaning into nourishing my wellbeing, and if you’ve been following me on YouTube or Instagram, you’re probably aware of my struggles with TMJD. This, coupled with issues related to my gut and nervous system, has disrupted my sleep over the years.
I've been on a pretty exhaustive journey trying to get to the root cause of my TMJD, and while I'm still in the thick of it, I’m thrilled to say that my sleep HAS significantly improved. Yay! Gone are the nights filled with anxiety, waking up several times, and getting around just 6 hours of sleep. My nights now look starkly different. I'm getting around 7-8 hours of sleep, waking up once or not at all, which is a huge win for me.
Now, let's dive into the specific practices that have been game-changers in my sleep improvement journey:
1. Tracking Sleep with Oura Ring
On top of the list is my Oura Ring, the leader in wearable sleep tracking since 2013. This gorgeous gadget has been major in providing detailed insights into my sleep patterns from my Sleep Score, Activity Score, and Readiness Score.
It's become a morning ritual; before diving into emails or scrolling through social media, I open the Oura App to check my Readiness Score, understand how well I've slept, and I let that guide how I approach my day.
Beyond sleep, I sync my Oura Ring with the Natural Cycles App, which is my favorite feature of all. I’ve been tracking my cycle through the symptothermal method for over 7 years, but I was tired of using a thermometer. It’s a huge upgrade that now I can just go about my day, and my Oura Ring will send that data to Natural Cycles, without me having to manually input anything.
As I’ve been prioritizing my fertility journey, monitoring my temperature trends and tracking my cycle helps me align with my cycle, so I can make informed decisions that support my overall wellness.
Looking for a really special gift? This holiday season, consider giving the gift of health with the Oura Ring. Best Buy has created a special bundle, pairing a gift card with the Oura Ring Sizing Kit, which is a personalized and thoughtful gift! The Oura Ring starts at $299, and the membership is just $5.99/month after the first trial month. It has been a worthwhile investment in my health.
2. Embracing the Dark with Blackout Curtains
Returning home from Seoul this spring, the stark contrast in my sleep quality was undeniable. In our hotel room, the blackout curtains created an almost cave-like darkness, allowing me to slip into a deep, uninterrupted sleep. Inspired, I decided to replicate this environment at home. Installing blackout curtains was a game-changer. The impact was immediate, and I found myself falling asleep faster and enjoying a much deeper sleep
3. Setting the Right Temperature
As someone who enjoys the cozy comfort of warmth, it wasn't an easy decision to lower the thermostat to 68°F for bedtime. However, after reading about the benefits of cooler sleeping environments, I decided to give it a try. It turns out that our body's temperature naturally drops while we sleep, and a cooler room supports this process. I was skeptical but hopeful about the change, and the difference was noticeable. I slept more soundly and woke up feeling more refreshed.
4. Charging My Phone Across the Room
We’ve all heard it before – starting your day by scrolling through your phone isn’t the best way to kickstart your morning. Especially after reading "Dopamine Nation" by Anna Lembke, I feel even more adamant about distancing myself from my device in the morning. The book dove into how the immediate dopamine hit from our phones can set a precedent for the rest of our day, making other experiences feel less rewarding. I don’t want the highs of my day to be defined by my phone, that’s for sure. This small shift is one that has made a significant impact over the years, and it’s one I will continue to pursue for a more peaceful start to my day.
5. Establishing Relaxing Night-Time Rituals
Cultivating a bedtime routine has become a beloved part of my evening. I’ve fully embraced that I’m in my Kindle era, and I’m loving it. Since June, I’ve read 18 books (and counting). On a rare night when I don’t feel like reading, I enjoy yoga nidra meditations. And lately, I do jaw massages & vagus nerve stimulation exercises — this is just a part of what I do to help manage my TMJD. All of these different rituals signal to my body that it’s time to wind down, which helps ease the transition into sleep and has improved the quality of my sleep.
By incorporating these practices into my daily routine, I’ve transformed my sleep and, by extension, my well-being. If you're on a similar journey, I encourage you to try these tips and experience the difference for yourself. Here's to better sleep and a healthier, happier you!
Thanks again to Best Buy for sponsoring today’s post to share my sleep journey experience! Shop Oura Ring here.