21 Wellness Experts Share the One Thing That Puts Them to Sleep

Welcome to Sleep Week! We're dedicating five days of content to one of our absolute favorite activities, and the products that make catching zzz's that much more enjoyable. Get ready to sleep tight. 

If money can't buy happiness, it certainly can't buy a good night's sleep. But there are certain tools — routines, practices and, yes, shoppable products — that can help.

Plenty of wellness experts and brand founders got where they are, at least in part, by unlocking their own magic formula for getting a solid night's rest. Some have found the value in incorporating magnesium into their bedtime routines via topical spray, beverage supplementation or a strategic evening snack. Others are all about optimizing circadian rhythms, turning their pre-bedtime skin-care processes into de-stressing rituals or relying on practices like journaling or meditation to unwind.

We asked 21 of them — including Alicia Keys, Molly Sims, Iskra Lawrence and Chriselle Lim — to share the one thing (or, in some cases, the combination of a few things) that puts them to sleep, time after time.

"A true night time routine is essential for me in winding down from the day and settling into bed. My routine consists of a warm shower followed by my nighttime skin-care routine and burning my favorite Phlur candles all throughout the house." —Chriselle Lim, content creator and founder, Phlur

"I've recently learned a lot about how the sun affects our circadian rhythms. I make sure to get some sunlight exposure each day in the early morning and also in the late afternoon, and it helps a lot." —Trinity Mouzon Wofford, co-founder, Golde

"For me, winding down a good hour before bed is super important, so I stop checking my phone and I create a spa-like environment at home. I've found taking the time to slow down and massage [Saltair] Island Orchid Body Oil over my body and focusing on the lymph nodes has been super beneficial to relax and drain away the stress from the day. Something about nourished, divine-smelling skin getting into bed brings me so much joy. It's exactly how I like to end my day and feel ready for a good night's sleep." —Iskra Lawrence, model and founder, Saltair

"Digital detoxing and reducing blue light before bed is essential for optimizing sleep — no excuses. When I've had a more stressful day, I make sure to use my red light mask to double my dose of beauty and hacking circadian rhythm into a more calm state." — Lauren Berlingeri, co-founder and co-CEO, HigherDose

"As a mother and supermodel constantly on the move, finding rest amidst the whirlwind of life is essential. For me, it isn't just a luxurious pillow or a cozy blanket — it's the guiding light of SoulLoop, the new astrology wellness app. I find harmony in the app's daily guidance that helps improve sleep quality and performance via guided meditations, breathwork, journaling dreams, chakra balancing, brain waves and so much more; easing my mind and soothing my soul into a peaceful rest." —Maria Borges, model, activist and SoulLoop brand ambassador

"I love using the Keys Soulcare Deeply Replenishing Squalane Facial Oil as a part of my bedtime ritual. I used to be skeptical about using oils on my skin, but this is one of my favorite offerings now. After cleansing, I apply the oil by massaging it into my face and reflect on the affirmation found on the bottle. 'I am good to myself.' Massage. Repeat! The oil keeps my skin moisturized throughout the night. All I have to do is dream and, when I rise, my skin and soul is effortlessly glowing." —Alicia Keys, "Goddess in Chief", Keys Soulcare

"I think prepping for my beauty rest is the most underrated self-care practice. My nighttime routine is incredibly important to me, and definitely makes a difference when I stay consistent with it. First, I add Moon Juice's Magnesi-Om to my glass of water. While sipping on this, I love to do my evening skin care. It's a calming ritual that allows me to give time back to myself, which always feels necessary after hectic days — which, let's be real, as a mom, is most days. I use YSE Beauty's 4-step regimen, which includes Take It Off Gel-Oil Cleanser, Last Call Retinol Serum, The Problem Solver Brightening Treatment and Xtremely Rich Moisturizer. Quick, simple, effective — and knowing that I took five minutes to myself makes all the difference for me to have a good night's sleep." —Molly Sims, model, podcast host and founder, YSE Beauty

"The body is best at absorbing what we need for sleep from whole foods, so I don't take any sleep supplements but instead sprinkle pumpkin seeds and pistachios on my oatmeal, yogurt or salads. Pumpkin seeds are the best food source for magnesium (which has a calming effect), and pistachios are the best food source for melatonin (which regulates your circadian rhythm)." —Julie Nguyen, founder and CEO, Methodology

"I use Sakara Beauty Water Drops in my glass of water when taking my evening supplements for a dose of ionic trace minerals, including magnesium. Adding minerals in liquid format is great if you have a hard time swallowing pills or breaking them down in your digestive system. The Sakara Drops help me relax into a deep restorative sleep — I really notice a difference in how I feel in the morning after I take them." —Whitney Tingle, co-founder, Sakara

"The Higher Dose Infrared PEMF Mat is my favorite way to wind down and prepare my body for rest. My Oura ring REM sleep score always improves when I use this technology, especially on the delta 3hz level 1 setting!" —Katie Kaps, co-founder and co-CEO, HigherDose

"Washing your face before bed is like changing your underwear everyday: It's a non-negotiable. That's the biggest tip I can give anyone to promote a good night's sleep." —Dr. Shereene Idriss, board-certified dermatologist, content creator and founder, Idriss Dermatology

"One that I fall back on quite often is the Olly Melatonin Sleep Supplement. If I find myself ruminating at bedtime, I will more than likely take an Olly. [Lack of] sleep is not an option for me if I'm going to be a happy camper the next day, and I can rely on this supplement help me to get a good night's rest every time." —Nina Westbrook, marriage and family therapist, podcast host and founder Bene by Nina and of Do Tell! Relationship Card Game

"To help me fall asleep, about an hour or two before bedtime, I brew a small pot of looseleaf tea and dim my lights. This ritual helps signal to my brain it's time to relax. My favorite tea is an organic ayurvedic sleep infusion that's a blend of chamomile, gotu kola, orange peel, lavender petals, cinnamon, licorice and cardamom." —Niki Leondakis, CEO, CorePower Yoga

"I use the Sheila Stotts Untangle Brush to brush my hair before applying my Roz Willow Glen Treatment Oil as an overnight hair mask and putting my hair up with the Day Rate Petite Power Pin. Willow Glen smells incredible with our signature blend of Bergamot and Vetiver. Plus, I love knowing that my hair is getting nourished and hydrated overnight." —Mara Roszak, celebrity hairstylist and founder, Roz

"I love to run a hot bath to de-stress from the day. I then go into my skin-care routine and really take this moment for self care, starting with a double cleanse to wash off the day, followed by Glow Recipe's Cloudberry Bright Essence Toner as the first step of hydration, serums depending on the skin concern I'm tackling for the evening and the Glow Recipe Pink Juice Moisturizer. " —Sarah Lee, co-founder, Glow Recipe

"I try to stop looking at my phone at least 30 mins before bed and read a book or journal instead. Currently, I'm reading 'The School for Good Mothers' by Jessamine Chan. I also use Glow Recipe Watermelon Body Cream, mixed in with a couple spritzes of The Nue Co's Magnesium Spray for my legs and feet." —Christine Chang, co-founder, Glow Recipe

"One product I rely on for a good night's sleep is our award-winning Deep Sleep Pillow Spray. This natural sleep spray is proven through fMRI brain imaging studies to help you fall asleep faster and wake feeling more refreshed." —Dr. Anna Persaud, PhD and CEO, This Works

"Every night before I go to sleep I apply Relevant Lights Out Resting Mask. It's a deep hydrating moisturizer that contains chamomile extract to help heal, azelaic acid to help lower bacteria and squalane to help hydrate my skin. I follow it up with a 10-minute gratitude meditation to relax my mind and set intention for a restful night of sleep." –Nyakio Grieco, Co-Founder of Thirteen Lune and Founder of Relevant: Your Skin Seen

"First, I set a wake up alarm on my phone, plug it in, and promise myself I won't look at it until the morning. Second, I take a warm shower or, time permitting, bath. Then, I find a place to sit, like on an ottoman or on the floor, close my eyes, and do approximately five minutes of seated alternate nostril breathing with my eyes clothes. These are non-negotiable for me. A set of wind down rituals is powerful, because, when practiced regularly, your brain starts to understand that what comes next is sleep." Dr. Rebecca Robbins, sleep scientist, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Oura ring Sleep Expert

"One essential element of my nighttime routine is the use of a high-quality lavender essential oil before bed. The soothing scent has been proven to aid in unwinding and overall relaxation. Incorporating just a few drops of lavender essential oil, either on my pillow or diffused through the room creates a calming atmosphere, so I can fall asleep quickly and stay asleep throughout the night." —Tata Harper, founder of Tata Harper Skincare

"The most helpful tool I was ever given was the book 'Why We Sleep' by Matthew Walker. He teaches you why sleep is so essential for our wellbeing and gives a lot of helpful and simple tips on how to get the best night's sleep. [I learned the importance of] going to sleep and waking up at the same time of day no matter what; trying not to exercise right before bed; avoiding stimulants like coffee or foods high in sugar a few hours before bedtime; avoiding phones, tablets and laptops before bedtime; avoiding medicines that delay or disrupt your sleep; and, of course, creating a relaxing nighttime ritual." —Irene Forte, founder of Irene Forte Skincare

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