3 Things I Keep in My Bedroom for a Better Night's Sleep

This is Obsessed: my weekly column devoted to sharing all the things I'm loving right now—from unique food and gift ideas to travel destinations and beauty products—plus some tips and tricks for living your best life.

I never used to have a problem sleeping. I was one of those #blessed people who could sleep with my body crammed into a plane seat or on a half-inflated air mattress at a friend's house without any issues. But since entering into my 30s (and a global pandemic), that's completely changed. I can no longer nap on command, sleep is more elusive, and I need a full seven hours of shut-eye to function the next day.

To help myself wind down, I've recently tried to limit my screen time an hour or so before bed. It's helped me disconnect and has reduced my anxiety (seriously, I cannot recommend this enough. Doom-scrolling the daily news is not a productive way to encourage good sleep!). Additionally, I've invested in a few things that have made falling—and staying—asleep much easier.

3 Things That Have Helped Me Sleep Better

Aromatherapy Diffuser

Research shows that some essential oils can help relieve stress—such as lavender, bitter orange, bergamot and frankincense. I love putting a few drops of one (or a blend of these) in my aromatherapy diffuser and letting it fill the bedroom with a spa-like fragrance. My current favorite combo is this blend from Aura Cacia called "chill pill." It's made with lavender, Roman chamomile, patchouli and orange essential oils for a sleep-inducing fragrance that calms me down almost instantly.