Wednesday

Welcome to midweek! In today’s newsletter:

• Discover the different kinds of rest

• Drinks that help you rest easier

• Toilet paper without trees

• Signs you’re oversleeping

Discover the Different Kinds of Rest

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “rest?” For many, it might be sleep. And while sleep 100% is a form of rest (and a great one at that), it’s not the only kind!

There are actually many different kinds of rest, all of which can have a positive impact on our well-being.

• Physical: This includes sleep but may also include taking a break from movement, lounging on the couch, and so forth.

• Social: If your social battery feels like it’s on 0%, that might be a sign it’s time for some social rest — AKA, some alone time.

• Emotional: This is when we embrace authenticity and freely express our thoughts and feelings with others.

• Mental/Intellectual: If you’ve ever felt emotionally exhausted, this could be a sign you need some mental rest. Using our brains all day is hard work; sometimes, even if you’re not physically tired, you may feel mentally worn down.

• Creative: Creativity can be super fun to express, but many of us have reached a point when we experience writer’s block or hit a creative roadblock. This is the perfect time to step away from those creative tasks with some downtime.

Challenge yourself to think of rest a little differently. Instead of focusing on sleep as the only form of rest, ask yourself what kind of pause you could use.

Drinks that Can Help You Sleep Easier

If you’re in search of a better night of rest, you might want to consider adding a tasty drink to your nighttime routine:

• Tea: Ashwagandha, chamomile, lemon balm, peppermint, and valerian teas have all been linked with improving sleep or promoting quality rest.

• Warm milk: Milk contains tryptophan, which increases serotonin, which in turn increases melatonin. Melatonin plays a critical role in our sleep-wake cycle.

• Tart cherry juice: A few small studies have shown that tart cherry juice is linked with increased time in bed, sleep duration, and more!

• Banana smoothie: Bananas contain potassium and magnesium, which help relax muscles.

While these beverages can help you get a good night’s rest, there are a few you may want to avoid. Caffeinated drinks and alcohol are two drinks that can negatively impact sleep quality.

This New Toilet Paper Just Might Save the Planet

Every 24 hours, 27,000 trees are cut down to make toilet paper. To us, that feels like way too many — and Honeycomb agrees. That’s why this small, female-founded brand created luxury, three-ply toilet tissue made from bamboo. It feels just like regular high-end toilet paper but doesn’t harm trees.

So why bamboo? It’s the fastest-growing plant in the world — growing 100 times faster than the average tree — which means thousands of rolls can be produced in the time it takes for a single tree to grow back.

Even better? Code NTS30 will give new customers 30% off their first order for the next 24 hours.

Get started here.

Thank you to Honeycomb for sponsoring Note To Self. 

Signs You Might Be Oversleeping

There are arguably few better feelings than waking up after a good night’s rest. But is there such a thing as too much sleep?

Experts say that, unfortunately, you can sleep too much — and it’s been linked with a number of serious issues, including heart disease, increased risk of death, and more.

However, in the short term, sleeping too much can impact your circadian rhythm and make it hard for your body to regulate.

But just how do you know if you’ve had too much sleep? A few signs include:

• Difficulty waking — your alarm doesn’t wake you up, you keep hitting snooze, or you simply can’t get out of bed

• Headaches

• You feel constantly tired, regardless of how much you sleep

• You take extensive naps during the day

If you’re feeling fatigued and rest isn’t helping, it’s a good idea to chat with a professional. Oversleeping may be related to sleep disorders, mental health conditions, and more, and an expert can help ensure you have the necessary tools and knowledge to care for your health.

Don’t stress if you oversleep on occasion — it’s totally normal to rest extra if you didn’t get enough sleep in the night(s) before, are recovering from an illness, or had a particularly long or hard day!

A Note From Us

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ True or False: False, the first three hours of sleep are the deepest! This is known as "Slow Wave Sleep."

• 🙋🏼‍♀️ Snapshot Of The Day: We'd love to see moments from our readers lives that they are proud of! If you recently accomplished an achievement, experienced a joyful moment, or are proud of a picture you have taken, be sure to capture it on camera and send it to us for a chance to be featured next week! 

• 💭 Final Self-Care Thoughts for Today: Our bodies need different kinds of rest — but it's important to balance how much we get. Listen to your body and give it what it needs!

Enjoying Note to Self?

Know of a great self-care tip or article you'd love to share with the community? Want to send us pictures of you completing one of your self-care rituals? Email us at [email protected]!