A couple of weeks before Christmas I was out getting some last minute bits and bobs with my mum.  Wandering in to Space NK was not a good idea for my bank balance!  I ended up picking up the thisworks perchance to dream gift set - a set that I'd had my eye on as well as the individual products for a good long while.  It was sitting there staring at me so I couldn't resist.

I've always been the type of person that struggles to get a good nights sleep.  Late evening is when I'm most productive and my brain whirrs; not the ideal when you need to switch off.  I can usually get a good nights sleep if I take some time to relax, switch off all my devices and give my self a pre-bedtime pamper.  I've been using these products for a few weeks now so I thought I'd share my thoughts for my fellow insomniacs.  It's also worth noting that all products in the set are full size, so you're getting a bit of a bargain in the long run.

deep sleep heavenly candle - this is one of my favourites of the four products that come in the set.  I love candles any way, but there's nothing quite like immersing yourself in the lovely relaxing scent.  What I like to do, is light it (in a safe place) close my bedroom door and go for a bath.  Obviously you need to be super careful when you leave a candle unattended which I always am, but when you walk back in the door the lavender and camomile has filled the room.  It's so warming and hits you in the face like the sandman should.  There's also no nasties in the candle, just pure essential oils, which is probably why I find it so effective. [RRP for candle alone - £25.00 220g]

deep sleep pillow spray - this is a good un'.  I'm prone to falling asleep then waking up 2hours later buzzing to get up - not ideal when it's the middle of the night.  Most of the time I can't help but wake up after a few hours of sleep, but spraying this on my pillow on those occasions helps me drift back off to sleep.  Most people are sceptical of these sorts of things but deep breathing in the scent really calms you, or at least it calms me.  It's not going to knock you out like a pill from the Dr would, but it's gotta be better for you in the long run eh? [RRP £16.00 75ml]

deep sleep dream cream - this is basically what it says on the tin.  It's not an all over body moisturiser, it's just another way to envelope yourself in the essential sleepy time oils.  I like to use it on my décolletage, like how I use Vicks when I'm sick.  It means it's there to breathe in through the night.  I haven't used this a great deal because it's not the biggest tube and I don't want to use it up too quickly! [RRP £18.00 75ml]

deep sleep bath soak - I LOVE this.  I've started using it in every pre-bedtime bath I have, or alternating or mixing it with my aromatherapy associates deep relax bath oil.  Just scoop a little bit into your bath and you can feel the knots in your shoulders relaxing, your frown melting away and your bed a'calling. [RRP £22.00 200g]

So to summarise do I think think these products work? Yes I do.  They do exactly what they say they will.  I feel that products like these can be misconstrued a little,  people want them to be magic and put you in a sleep that would rival Sleeping Beauty, but they exist to help you along to get into the right mode of relaxation and the right frame of mind to get to sleep.  So I would highly recommend these to people that find it difficult to relax at bedtime.  I'd particularly recommend getting your hands on the bath soak and candle.  They are my favourites!  I bought it at full price £75.00 but it's still in the Space NK sale for £37.50!  So a definite bargain if you want to snap it up just now.

Still struggling to get to sleep?  One of the best Youtube videos I've ever watched is the "How To Hibernate (The Deep Sleep Tutorial)" on A Model Recommends.  It's genius, and I try to do this once a week if I remember/have time.  I've had some of the best sleeps of my life doing it.  There's also a more recent "How To Get a Good Night's Sleep" - Ruth knows her stuff when it comes to sleeping!

Now if you'll excuse me - I'm off to hibernate...