We're going behind the scenes to uncover the beloved night time rituals (and nourishing daily routines) of some of our favorite women—how they charge up their internal batteries to translate their dreams into reality, and power through life with zest and joy. Below, find Whitney Tingle, founder and co-CEO of Sakara Life provide a sneak peek into what day-to-night self-care looks like.
On food as the foundation:
“When you give your body what it needs to function at its best—to be energized, for its hormones to be balanced, to have the materials it needs to build and repair tissues, to create healthy brain chemicals—then you’re more able to show up as your best in all areas of your life.”
On the body’s sared repair time:
For many people they think that sleep is a passive activity where you just lie there and turn off at night. But in reality, sleep is very active. During your sleep you are actively running the functions needed to rebuild, repair and rejuvenate your body, as well as process thoughts and emotions from our waking state. The quality of our sleep affects the quality of our waking hours. And what we eat directly affects the quality of our sleep.
On the routines worth sticking by:
“I’m not the best at forming routines, except when it comes to my self care practices that are non-negotiables like taking my vitamins, brushing my teeth, and moisturizing my skin. I take The Foundation every day, so that I know that even if my eating isn’t 100% perfect that day, I’m still getting the essential nutrients my body needs to thrive. It’s doctor-formulated, medical-grade, clean, bioavailable, supplement packs. I can feel the difference in my energy levels and brain clarity if I don’t take them. One large study found a lack of key nutrients, such as calcium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, D, E, and K to be associated with sleep issues. While this research does not prove direct cause-and-effect, it supports the likelihood that diet affects our hormonal pathways involved in sleep”.
I’m also dedicated to taking my Complete Probiotic Formula (I like to take an extra dose beyond what’s in The Foundation). 70% of the immune system resides in the gut, and Sakara’s probiotic has 11 different types of beneficial bacteria to balance the gut microbiome, which is critical for immune support, as well as skin support.”
The quality of our sleep affects the quality of our waking hours.
On quality over quantity:
“With less time to myself as a new mom, I’ve simplified my skincare routine—but with very luxurious products. I’m currently using the Living Libations Seabuckthorn Cleansing Moisturizer as my oil cleanser followed by Vintner’s Daughter Active Treatment Essence and Active Botanical Serum. I’m obsessed.”
On dinner times:
“Eating too close to bedtime means that your body is still working to digest food while you’re asleep rather than doing the hundreds of processes it does to refresh and rejuvenate your body while you’re asleep. Digestion takes a fair amount of blood and energy to complete. That’s blood and energy that could be going elsewhere to repair and rebuild where your body needs it.”
On sleep + sugar:
"I pay attention to not only what I'm eating but when I'm eating, since it can affect the quality of your sleep. Research shows that eating foods that are high in processed sugar and simple carbohydrates (which act like sugar in the body) affect blood sugar and insulin levels, which play a role in your energy (or lack thereof) and your body’s natural rhythms, which can affect your sleep cycles. If I do want something sweet, I'll opt for extreme high quality like Sakara Beauty Chocolates—they still contain naturally occurring stimulants like theobromine, so I try moving it to earlier in the day/evening so that it doesn't disrupt your sleep."
On the beauty of airplane mode:
“In one of the Sakara Life Podcast episodes with Arianna Huffington, she gave the advice of saying ‘goodnight’ to your phone before bed so lately I’ve been turning the phone on airplane mode to guarantee no disturbances (or extra EMFs) during my sleep.”
On energy pick-me-ups:
"If I don’t have the best night of sleep, I try to use two things that are incredibly energizing and don’t cost any money at all: breathing and drinking water. Before I go to bed I fill up a quart jar with water with Beauty Water Drops and set it next to my bed, so first thing I’m more likely to drink water and not just coffee. Then, I'll do a few rounds of the Kundalini practice of Breath of Fire."
On musical cues:
“When it’s time to put [my son]Bodhi to bed, I try to set a routine by taking him around to turn off all the lights, then we put on his bedtime playlist and get into bed. He recognizes the bedtime music now and it helps him to fall asleep. I think adults are the same way. Our bodies respond to routine, as well as to audio triggers. Pick a song that makes you feel relaxed so that your brain and body know that it’s time to relax and go to sleep.”
On the power of grounding:
“I sleep best when I can find moments of stillness and peace during the day. I like to walk outside in nature barefoot to ground myself with the Earth, soak up some sunshine (even when it’s cold out), and breathe in the fresh air. The simple things can be the best healers.”
MORE LESSONS IN RESTFUL ROUTINES
