Yoga Instructor Kate Van Horn Is Just Like Us and Watches Netflix in Bed
Welcome to Sleep Diaries, where interesting people share a week’s worth of late-night habits. They’ll tell you, the reader, how they wrap up their day, how they get to sleep, stay asleep or fall back asleep, and how they feel when they wake up in the morning. Why? Because sleep is America’s Most Wanted thing. We chase after it like an elusive elixir that'll make us look younger and feel less stressed. (Maybe because it will.) We thought by getting people to share what works for them-and doesn’t-it might help you find better ZZZs. Or at least give you something entertaining to read. This week, we have Kate Van Horn, a Los Angeles-based yoga instructor, entrepreneur, and tarot card reader (more on that below!).
Monday: Essential Oil and Journaling
I was still fighting jet lag after a trip in Europe and while I was dying to fall asleep at 9 p.m. (like I had the few nights prior), I kept my eyes open until 11 p.m. in hopes of getting back on LA time. I typically fall asleep around midnight and wake-up between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m. I find that 7 hours of sleep is best for me-anything over that and I actually feel more groggy. I turned on my doTERRA diffuser with the Console essential oil about an hour before bed, dimmed my lights, and got comfy. I sat up and journaled for a while, which is something I used to do in the morning, but I find doing it in the evening allows to be more reflective. Afterward it was lights out and I fell asleep immediately.
Tuesday: Netflix and Charcoal
I started winding down around 10 p.m. with a warm shower-I always shower before bed rather than the morning-and applied a charcoal peel-off face mask from Boscia. With the mask on, I took a bit of magnesium from Natural Vitality Calm in a warm cup of lemon water and also prepared a huge glass of ice water to keep by my bed. Sometimes I drink every sip, other times I don’t touch it but I have to have it nearby. I know technology in bed is not recommended, and I’m proud that most nights I close my laptop and phone and keep them away from the bed. But tonight I was dying to stay up an extra 30 minutes and watch some Netflix while comfy and under the covers. So I did. I finished an episode of Netflix’s Dead to Me (I love the dark humor) and eventually dozed off around 11:45 p.m.
Wednesday: Nighttime Yoga
I woke up early, around 6 a.m., so I knew I needed to get to bed earlier than I had on Tuesday night. Around 9:30 a.m., I rolled out my mat and did fifteen minutes of very gentle yoga and stretching-some forward folds, happy baby, etc. Yoga really gets me back into my body and I love having these moments where I'm not making a plan; it's fascinating to see where my body naturally goes. I also did my full skincare routine (makeup remover, double cleanse with Boscia's MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil, a second detoxing charcoal cleanser, vitamin C serum, eye cream, a spot treatment if I have blemishes, and a face mask) and brushed my teeth so that I could roll right into bed when it was time. After finishing a couple last-minute emails in the kitchen and emptying the dishwasher (I love waking up to a clean sink), I got in bed, scrolled IG for 10 minutes or so, and naturally fell asleep around 11 p.m.
Thursday: Cocktails and Dancing
I went out dancing with friends tonight! While rare for me, I really enjoyed going and doing something different. I did have a cocktail and stayed out far beyond my bedtime, so when I got home I did a consolidated, two-step skincare routine (makeup remover plus cleanser) and rolled right into bed. Every night I place that large glass of lemon water beside my bed and tonight I knew it was in my best interest drink it all up.
Friday: Cozy PJs and Good TV
Ahhh, after a long week of in-person meetings and an event during the day I chose to skip social plans this Friday night and just rested. My bedtime routine started early: After a dinner of pasta and veggies and a glass of white wine I took a long bath with Epsom salts, wrapped myself in my coziest PJs (I love the sustainable brand Hanro and any old t-shirt or tank top), and watched about an hour of television before heading to my room. I left my phone away from my bed, on the opposite side of the room, and did not set an alarm. Right before bed, I chose three cards to represent the month ahead, knowing I’d wake up and it would be June 1. My cards showed that I had some scattered energy, which makes sense because it's about halfway through the year. It was a good reminder to think about the goals I made in January and try to reconnect to them and reconnect with myself.
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