Last week, I shared a photo of my nightstand on Instagram because I believe the items we keep there reveal a lot about us. Nightstands have limited space, so they usually hold only the essentials we need right before, during, or after sleep.
I received a bunch of questions about the items in the picture, so I figured I’d explain them here instead of replying to each query individually. This post is kind of miscellaneous, like when I talked about what’s in my purse. If this isn’t your thing, feel free to check out some dinner recipes or learn how to make lotion bars.
Starting with my Wake Light, it’s a natural way of waking up with gradually brightening light and nature sounds, which I find much gentler than a blaring alarm. Then there’s my sleep mask. Our room is usually quite dark, so I don’t always need it, but I use it when my husband comes to bed later to avoid waking up. It’s an old one from my college days that still works like a charm.
I use orange sunglasses at night to reduce blue light exposure, which helps keep melatonin levels stable for better sleep. I often work on the computer late, so these glasses, along with programs like f.lux, come in handy.
The Wet Brush is a gentle brush I use on my daughters’ hair to avoid tears. I also have fertility monitors, which are part of my natural family planning approach since I avoid hormonal contraceptives. They help track fertility and include the OvaCue, which is quite accurate, the Fertile Focus Microscope, and the iBasal thermometer for temperature charting.
A massage roller ball is essential for easing shoulder tension from computer time, proving especially helpful during labor too. Though not on my nightstand, the Rumble Roller and Body Back Buddy are great for releasing muscle tension at home.
I usually have a Hydroflask nearby for when I get thirsty at night, though it didn’t appear in the picture. My favorite is the 40-ounce insulated version with a wide-mouth straw lid. Occasionally, I place an essential oil diffuser or salt lamp on the nightstand, though they’re on the dresser right now. The cord for my earthing sheet also runs behind the nightstand to plug into the ground outlet.
A flashlight is always on hand for power outages or strange noises from our dog at night. I have one both in the nightstand and my purse. There are also books by my bed, mostly spiritual or light reading, since health books or medical journals tend to get my mind racing and make sleep elusive. Does anyone else have this issue?
Coconut oil and lotion bars are staples in every room of my house. I also use magnesium oil, relaxing essential oils, and organic socks for massaging my feet and my kids’ feet to boost sleep. Tracking my sleep with an Oura Ring has shown magnesium significantly enhances my sleep score.
Journaling at night helps me unwind and organize my thoughts, making it easier to fall asleep. I keep a journal along with post-it notes or a small notebook for jotting down to-dos that come to mind at night. I prefer leather journals as they are durable and look nice on a shelf once filled.
In terms of other things, I avoid electronics like cell phones, computers, or even glowing alarm clocks near the bed. I’m careful about my sleep environment, keeping the room dark, cool, and quiet. No TVs in the bedroom for me—I go into more detail about this in another post.
Now it’s your turn—what do you keep by your bed? Let me know!
