Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the most important things you can possibly do for your overall health and wellbeing, but for many of us, it isn’t as easy as it should be. It’s during those all important hours – seven to nine, ideally – that the body repairs and regenerates and that our minds consolidate memories, and it’s almost like giving your battery a good recharge. Just like your mobile phone, if you fail to give yourself enough juice then you will struggle to get through the day, and could find yourself feeling fatigued, suffering from brain fog, and unable to think about anything other than bedtime.
Many people rely on caffeine to get them through, knocking back several cups of coffee throughout the day – but continuing to drink caffeinated beverages after midday can have a negative impact on your sleep quality and potentially make it harder to drift off in the first place. Add to that the fact that after a difficult day, you likely spend your evening watching TV or scrolling mindlessly on your smartphone, and it’s a recipe for starting the whole sorry cycle all over again. The blue light emitted from our devices is also known to disrupt your circadian rhythm and make it trickier to drift off and to stay asleep all night. So what can you do to ensure you finally get the good night’s sleep you need?
Well, other than ditching the afternoon coffees and switching your devices off at least an hour before bedtime, you can begin what’s known as a ‘good sleep hygiene’ routine – in other words, preparing the body and mind for sleep by allowing it to slowly wind down. Often, a warm shower or bath, a cup of chamomile tea and some light reading in bed will do the trick and get you well on the way to a restful and restorative night’s sleep – but before you do all of that, it’s vital that you make sure your bedroom is set up as a supportive environment to help you enjoy the sweetest of dreams, too.
If your room is too hot, too cold, too light or just not quite right in a variety of other ways, then all of your efforts pre-bedtime could be wasted. So here are some simple ways to make your bedroom a luxurious sleep haven and get the best possible shut-eye tonight, and every night.
Invest in a quality mattress
Comfort is key when it comes to sleep, so ensuring your bed is soft, snuggly and as welcoming as possible will go a long way towards getting you in the mood to doze off. But first and foremost, you’ll want to make sure that your mattress is up to the job, and that it provides the right level of support for your body. Everyone is different, so look for one that suits your specific needs and preferences. The ideal mattress is not too hard, but also not too soft, as while the latter might feel comfortable to begin with, both can result in aches and pains later on. Memory foam, pocket sprung and latex mattresses are all worth considering, and the best way to start working out what your perfect match might be is to go into your nearest bed store and try a few out. Checking trusted mattress review sites like Sleep Hero UK is also a good idea and will help you to get some ideas around what’s right for you – when ordering online, you’ll often find a much greater variety of luxurious mattress options to choose from.
Splurge on luxurious bedding
Now that you’ve got the foundations in place for a great night’s sleep, the next step is to up the snuggle factor. Soft, sumptuous-feeling bedding is certain to get you feeling cosy and comfortable enough to drift off with ease, particularly during the autumn and winter. Starting with the basics, Egyptian cotton sheets with a high thread count feel wonderfully soft against the skin. Then layer a super soft duvet over the top – Hungarian or Siberian goose down is cloud-like and lightweight whilst providing great insulation, but if you’re looking to uplevel the luxury factor even further then splurge on a silk-filled duvet. Stuffed with buttery-smooth Mulberry silk, they’re lightweight, hypoallergenic and great at regulating temperature so that you don’t get too hot or cold in the night. Cashmere duvets, too, are worth the price tag and feel extra plush and thoroughly opulent.
Declutter and redesign
Have you ever tried to work in a messy or cluttered space and found that you simply couldn’t concentrate? It’s impressive to note how our surroundings can impact us in such a way, and the same often occurs when it comes to sleep. Going to bed amongst disorganisation and clutter can make it hard for the mind to switch off and rest, so take some time to tidy up your bedroom and get rid of any unnecessary items to create a relaxing and calming environment. It isn’t always that your room is untidy – sometimes, just having too much furniture or too many electronics can make it feel crowded. So take a minimalistic approach to your interior design and keep things as simplistic as possible – and opt for a serene and soothing colour palette on your walls to further enhance the effects. Instead of harsh overhead lighting, use ambient lamps that emit a soft glow whilst you’re winding down for bed, and this will begin to set the tone and signal to the body and mind that it’s time to rest.
