The Ridiculously Easy Hacks Elyse Knowles Swears by to Sleep Well

Sleeping well night after night is a lot easier said than done. We spend almost a third of our entire lives sleeping, yet so many of us struggle to regulate our sleep routines. This can lead to a whole range of health problems, so it's important that we recognise the importance of sleep health and how we can improve the quality (and quantity!) or our nightly rest.

We at Bed Threads are committed to prioritising sleep as a form of self-care and are turning to some of our favourite women in business to share what helps them on their way. For this instalment, we asked model Elyse Knowles about how she manages to get eight hours of shut-eye every night.

With a booming career that saw her feature on the cover of Marie Claire Australia recently, it's a wonder Elyse has time for sleep at all. Her work demands early starts, late finishes, constant travel, and rigorous workouts, but Elyse refers to herself as a "Nonna" when it comes to sleep, and has a few tips for making sure she gets adequate rest every night.

Below, she shares how an early bedtime and a technology curfew help her get a good night's sleep, and why she'll never leave the house without making her bed.

What does your sleep routine look like?

I call myself a "Nonna”! I adore my sleep and believe it is vital for my energy, positivity, and mood for the following day. I like to be in bed between 9 and 9.30 pm each night — lying in bed with Josh having a good old chit chat, talking about our day with no distractions and no technology. This is probably our key quality time for the day. I wake up at 5.45 am in the morning and get ready to go to the gym (when I am home and not travelling), so getting to bed early is really important for me.

What are your top tips for beating jet lag?

Eat when you are meant to eat in your new time zone, including the time you spend on the plane. Don't sleep when you land unless it is bedtime in your new destination. Go for a walk and get the body moving.

How do you stay well-rested and energised during a big week of work and travel?

Sleep, food, and exercise is key for me. If I don't get enough sleep I am like a zombie. If I don’t eat well, I feel really sluggish for the day. Exercise helps me stay motivated, so even if I am exhausted after work, I try and go for a little walk. I feel 10 times better when I get back.

What are three things you do to wind down before going to sleep at night?

Having a shower before bed relaxes me, and there is nothing quite like jumping in-between fresh, clean bedsheets. No technology for at least 30 min before bed. Josh sometimes looks at his phone in bed and I lose my marbles! Putting your phone on airplane mode and putting on your alarm well before you get to the bedroom is a must for me.

What are three things you do in the morning to make sure you're ready for the day ahead?

Brush my teeth, exercise and make my bed. If I come home from work and the bed is not made, I feel messy, irritated and incomplete.

Lead image courtesy of @elyse.knowles

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