I don’t know about you, but stress and sleep (or the lack of it) have always been connected in my life. When I’m feeling overwhelmed, my mind races at night, and instead of getting the rest I need, I just lie there replaying the day—or worrying about the one ahead. By morning, I’m tired, cranky, and already behind before I’ve even started. Sound familiar?
For a long time, I thought this was just “normal,” but I’ve slowly learned some gentle ways to break the cycle. I thought I’d share a little of what’s been helping me in case you’re walking through the same thing.
How I Start My Mornings
I used to wake up and immediately grab my phone—scrolling through emails, messages, or the news before I’d even had coffee. It left me frazzled before my day had even begun.
Now, I try to start my mornings differently. One thing that has made the biggest difference for me is exercising to a YouTube channel called Yes2Next. It’s a mother–daughter team, and the mom is 84 years old while her daughter is the trainer. Their focus is getting those of us over 60 moving in fun, doable ways.
I aim for 30 minutes every morning—three days of walking exercises and two days of weight lifting. I don’t hit it perfectly every single week, but it’s what I strive for. Not only does it help wake up my body, but it also lifts my mood and sets a much calmer, steadier tone for the rest of the day.
Afterward, I like to take a few deep breaths, sometimes pair the routine with oils like Valor for confidence, and set an intention for my day. It’s a far cry from the frantic mornings I used to have, and it feels so much better.
The Afternoon Slump
Sometime around 2 or 3 pm, I used to just power through the tiredness with caffeine or sugar. These days, I’ve found something that works so much better for me: NingXia Nitro. It gives me that gentle energy boost without the crash, and it helps me stay focused when my brain wants to check out.
Along with that, I try to pause instead of just pushing through. Sometimes I’ll diffuse an oil like Lavender or Bergamot, or step outside for fresh air. It’s amazing how even five minutes of stepping away helps reset my mood. I’ve realized that ignoring the slump never works, but honoring it—giving myself a little reset—actually makes me more productive.
Creating a Calmer Evening
Evenings used to be my hardest time. I’d get dinner done, sit down on the couch, and suddenly my brain would start listing all the things I hadn’t done. That habit was stealing my sleep.
I’ve been learning to slow down at night. Turning off my phone earlier, making a cup of tea, or doing a few stretches before bed all help signal to my body that the day is ending. Diffusing calming oils like Frankincense or Lavender has become a favorite part of my wind-down routine too.
Other times, I’ll listen to a Christian-based podcast called Cultivate Connection. The host has such a warm, soothing voice, and she leads you through focused breathing while repeating a Bible verse several times. It’s such a gentle way to quiet my thoughts and re-center my spirit before bed.
When Sleep Still Feels Elusive
Of course, even with the best intentions, there are still nights when my mind won’t settle. On those nights, I sometimes reach for supplements that support rest, like Deep Night Essence or Super Magnesium. They’ve both been helpful for me in relaxing my body so my mind can follow.
And if I find myself wide awake and restless, I’ve learned it’s better to get up for a little bit than to toss and turn. A few minutes of reading, journaling, or even something simple like folding a little laundry can be enough to calm my mind so I can actually fall asleep when I get back into bed.
What I’ve Learned
I’m still a work in progress when it comes to managing stress, sleep, and those waves of sadness that sometimes creep in. But the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that little shifts add up. A mindful morning, a midday reset, an intentional evening routine—together, they create space for more calm, better rest, and a lighter heart.
If you’ve been struggling in this area too, I just want to encourage you: you’re not alone, and small changes really can make a difference.
Want More Simple Wellness Ideas?
Each week, I share a short and practical tip in my Tuesday Tips email — my way of sharing little life hacks and wellness wins each week. It’s like a quick, short note from me to you with encouragement, ideas, and sometimes even a peek at what I’m personally trying. If you want in, sign up here. I’d love to keep encouraging you on your journey toward peace and whole body wellness. 🌿💛
In 2015 Sue began again, she started over, and did it all at the ripe old age of 61. She found Jesus, stopped drinking, got married and seriously began focusing on what mattered most. All it took was a decision to clean up her act which is why she considers herself “Blessed Beyond Measure”. Now she is a health and wellness educator of all things natural, looking to share with anyone who wants to make a change in their health and wellness journey. Visit her at suefilling.com. Get weekly wellness tips: Weekly Wellness Tips
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