This Bedtime Routine Helped Lisa Wipfli Overcome Years of Insomnia

Can you walk us through your bedtime routine?

I went through a really bad stage of insomnia when our children were babies so my nighttime routine is extremely important to me. I had to introduce some really strict rules about winding down my brain and body before I go to sleep.

I try to be in bed most nights by 9 pm. I start the process by winding down with a cup of herbal tea on the couch before going up to bed. I then set my alarm and avoid looking at my phone after this. I absolutely love reading and without fail read every night for at least 20 minutes or half an hour.

After reading, I turn the lights out and will do a 10-minute guided meditation and focus on my breathing, and clearing my mind. This calms my whole nervous system, and then I find it very easy to drift off to sleep.

What sleep or beauty products do you swear by that you won’t go a night without?

I love the Calm Essential roll-on oil and Sweet Dreams Mist from The Good Night Co. In terms of beauty products, I never go to bed without doing my Rationale routine. Cleansing, then using 5 serums, and finishing off with 6 moisturisers.

What are your tips for a well-styled bedroom and making it sleep-friendly?

Having a decluttered bedroom is a must for me. I keep our bedrooms very simple, a tonal decor colour palette, a very comfy bed, practical and chic bedsides, and soft lighting. I’m such a mood lighting person, so every night when I get all of our bedrooms ready for bedtime (the ‘mum turndown service’), I turn off the main lights and put our bedside lamps on. I really dislike walking into harshly lit bedrooms just before bed.

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

Ha, coffee certainly helps. However, I only have the one double shot mid morning and no matter how tired I am I don’t ever have anymore or feel like one for that matter. My three things are:

1. Exercise is a must for me. When I’m particularly tired, a walk in the outdoors is always the best way to wake me up and clear my foggy mind.
2. Like everyone, I get the mid afternoon slump and my ritual is religiously to have a matcha. I usually make it in my keep cup and take it on the school pick-up with me, ready for the hectic afternoons of homework, cooking dinner and the bathtime routine.
3. Drinking lots of water is also key. Whenever I’ve had a particularly bad night’s sleep, I try to make sure I drink a lot of water to keep me energised and give me clarity.

How are you able to find time for yourself as a mother of three?

It certainly is hard, especially now that I’m working a lot more. However, I do prioritise it in my week because when I’m a happy and relaxed version of myself I’m a better mother and wife. I make sure that I can get to pilates at least twice a week. On the days that I have the children, I will wake up earlier to have some time to myself or to do a work out. [My husband] Mike and I are also very good at supporting each other to have time on our own, even if it’s just 30 minutes for a quick work-out.

I now treasure the most basic and shortest amounts of time to myself. Like having a shower on my own or reading my book before bed in silence.

Can you please share a little bit about your career journey?

It certainly has been a journey and I’ve loved every minute of it that has got me to where I am today. I studied Marketing/Advertising, and got my first at Courier Mail in Brisbane working as an Advertising rep in the sales department.

At 24 years old I decided to move to London for some life experiences and I started working at the Financial Times as an Advertising Sales Rep. I was then promoted to Advertising Manager of one of the teams.

After a number of years I moved to the DailyMail where I worked in their press team and then moved over to their digital division a few years later. This was pre-GFC so we would have long swanky lunches in the best London restaurants with clients most Fridays, and we were getting nice commission cheques.