Most children dread the bedtime drill; brush your teeth, wash your face and get to bed.
While those healthy night-time habits still make sense, even grown-ups may find them harder to maintain during the busyness of the holiday season.
Home specialist Vicky Sanderson explains why now is not the time to give yourself a pass, and how sticking to a simple ritual before bed can keep you happier and healthier all winter long.
Brush Your Teeth
After an evening enjoying the indulgences of Christmas, it can be tempting to “forget” to brush your teeth.
“Don’t skip it,” Sanderson said in an interview on Morning Live. “Your mouth is a portal to all of your internal organs. That means if you don’t brush your teeth, all of that bacteria that has accumulated throughout the day has a chance to travel down there and do that dastardly work.”
She recommended a personal care product brand called Hello. All of their oral care items include natural ingredients such as activated charcoal, coconut oil and hemp.
“Activated charcoal is charcoal that has been heated to a very high heat and that apparently changes the structure of it and makes it more porous. When it passes over, it collects bacteria and debris,” she said.
Wash Your Face
Another bedtime habit to not overlook this holiday season is washing your face, especially after cooking over a stove, exercising and walking outside.
“Clean, moisturized skin is less prone to infection and irritation,” Sanderson said.
If you’re looking for a Canadian facial care brand, she said La Maison Clayton Shagal creates several collections specific to skin conditions such as anti-aging and dry skin.
Good-Quality Sleep
Adequate sleep is vital for overall health, and what you sleep on can make the difference.
Sanderson said her choice of material is linen: “It helps regulate body temperature because it is so breathable.”
She recommended purchasing bed linens from a Canadian brand called Envello. The female-led company offers a variety of products, including duvet covers, fitted sheets and pillowcases.
Linen also has antibacterial properties, which can help support your immune system.
