Having a bad night's sleep is horrible. It messes with everything from the appearance of your skin to your mood, concentration levels and blood sugar balance. 

Stress, work worries and hormonal challenges are often the big reasons why many of us say that getting a good night's rest can be hard work.  

Wellness expert Charlotte Dormon shares four proven sleep hacks for tackling sleep troubles so you can wake up looking and feeling refreshed. 

Breathe & stretch away stress 

Make time for a 10-minute wind-down routine to allow space for some pre-bedtime calming stretches (roll downs with gentle breathing to release the spine are my fave) and focus on breathing and letting go of that build-up of stress. Focus on things that make you feel peaceful and happy (mine is walking barefoot during sunset along a beautiful beach, laying amongst the trees in a gorgeous forest, or meandering through lush grassy meadows full of flowers - absolute bliss), imagine saying goodnight to those daily stresses and unwanted thoughts, and focus on gentle deep belly breathing to relieve tension.  Although it would be a great thing to work on, you don’t need to master the art of meditation to create calm in your mind; just giving yourself the space to allow 5-10 minutes for some gentle stretches and focusing on your breathing will do wonders for helping you drift off. 

Soak stress away with a magnesium bath 

Magnesium is a mineral that our bodies crave when we are stressed. It’s essential for all of us, but especially women, to have enough of this mineral as it helps our hormones stay more balanced and ease PMS and menopause symptoms that are associated with a deficiency. Magnesium is a helpful mineral to have more of in our wellness toolkit to help relax muscles, ease restless legs and cramps and overall greatly help relieve tension and improve sleep. You can take magnesium supplements, or add magnesium flakes to a bath or foot bath to feel the benefits. <

Enjoy a calming bedtime tea with collagen

Collagen contains high levels of a natural compound called glycine (an amino acid) that has been scientifically proven to improve overall sleep quality. Studies have also shown that glycine significantly improves fatigue and daytime sleepiness in people who experience insomnia. For better sleep and more radiant and refreshed-looking skin, try mixing a  tablespoon of Correxiko Collagen powder into a  caffeine-free herbal tea, such as chamomile or a soothing nighttime tea blend. Enjoy this an hour or two before bedtime to help you get a better night's sleep and wake up looking and feeling refreshed. I also love to treat myself to a hot chocolate with a scoop of collagen after my dinner as a delicious beauty-boosting treat. 

Get your bedroom set up for super sleep.

Is your bedroom sleep-enhancing or sleep-wrecking? Check that your room is set up to give you the best night's sleep. Shut off any technology that emits bright lights, such as computers, phones, TV boxes, alarm clocks etc. Research has shown that the darker your room is, the better your chance of producing more melatonin (a sleep-enhancing hormone) to ensure you get deep sleep. Eye masks and earplugs will also be a good investment for those sensitive to noise and light that simply can’t be blocked out.

Words By Charlotte Dormon