Eleanor Pendleton Shares 3 Things That Help When You're Too Tired to Function

If there's anyone who knows the importance of a good night's sleep, it's a new mum. And if there's anyone who knows the secret to looking well-rested when they're anything but, it's a beauty editor.

That's why, when the topic of Sleep Awareness Week came up in the Bed Threads office, we immediately wanted input from Eleanor Pendleton. She's not only the founding editor of one of the best beauty publications in Australia, Gritty Pretty, she's also an Estée Lauder Ambassador and new mum.

Eleanor became a mother for the first time just a few short weeks ago. As mothers will know, looking after a baby can take a dramatic toll on your body and sleep routine, yet there's never a more important time to also take care of yourself.

As this week is Sleep Awareness Week, we turned to Eleanor to ask how she is prioritising sleep as a form of self-care, and what her morning routine looks like after a rough night's sleep.

How has your relationship with sleep changed since having a baby?

"A lot! I went from being a 9-hour night type of woman to, well, having a newborn baby. My son Banjo is 6 weeks old and I'm adjusting to life with a beautiful baby. My sleep is certainly now broken according to when Banjo needs to feed, which is every 2-3 hours, but my husband and I try not to fight it. You've got to accept broken sleep is simply a part of having a baby so you're better off mentally (and physically) to just roll with it. It isn't forever, after all.

"I try to sneak in a nap in the afternoons if I can and I've become very, very good at falling asleep within five minutes. I also try not to look at broken sleep as a negative—it's only for a short amount of time and ultimately my beautiful baby is the most incredible reason to wake up for!"

What are three things (besides coffee!) that help when you're too tired to function?

"My non-negotiables every morning are a shower, skincare, and fresh air. If I don't get those three things (and coffee!), I won't be set up right for the rest of the day. And, if I can manage it and have someone to help me watch Banjo, we'll walk down to the beach so I can sneak in an ocean swim — salt water really does cure everything!"

Do you have any products you swear by—sleep or beauty-wise you won’t go a night without?

Every night after I’ve put my son to bed, I have my ritual, my ‘me’ time — a really hot shower and a body oil applied in the shower followed by my face skin care routine: essence, Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum and eye cream followed by a deeply nourishing face oil. I’ll then wind down in bed with a book and either a cup of tea or The Beauty Chef Sleep Inner Beauty Powder mixed with almond milk and honey.

For more from Eleanor, follow her @eleanorpendleton and @gritty_pretty.

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