Are you getting a good night’s sleep? Unfortunately recent statistics suggest that you’re probably not. The average Brit wakes up nearly 3 times a night, and 11% of us wake up between 7 and 10 times a night due to a noisy partner or anxious thoughts. If the idea of getting an uninterrupted night’s kip sounds like something you need, then we recommend developing your own evening routine. Here are our tips…
Create a routine
Studies show that having a consistent daily schedule is associated with better sleep patterns. The key part of an evening routine is in the name; it’s got to be a routine. You should commit to a set of simple activities at the same time every night to send the signal to your body that it’s time to sleep. Try doing this consistently for a week and you should really see the benefits.
Luckily there’s one task that’s probably already part of your routine that can act as a good starting point. Most of us will remove our make up and use a moisturiser and that’s about as complicated as our evening skincare gets. We urge you to use this time to really check in with yourself and have a little pamper. Add in those extras you keep forgetting about such as applying hand cream, cuticle oil or a face mask. Do a double cleanse and give yourself a gentle face massage to encourage the skin’s natural cleansing processes and relieve tension.
Encourage relaxation
Another helpful thing to incorporate into your own personalised routine is breathing techniques. You can find guided meditation videos on YouTube that will help you get started, or simply spend a few minutes breathing deeply and practising mindfulness. This takes practise but the results are worth it. Alternatively, why not try a few of your favourite yoga poses to help stretch and relax your muscles before bedtime? We love this video from Adriene which only takes 20 minutes and is specifically designed to help you get a good night’s sleep.
Read
If you still find in hard to wind down once you’re finally under the covers we suggest using that time to catch up on some reading. It goes without saying that books are better for relaxing than scrolling through ASOS on your phone, so pick something lighthearted and enjoyable on paper to flick through before your drift off. Reading before bed is ideal for lowering cortisol levels by reducing stress. The result is that you should sleep more soundly and feel less stressed the following day.
Adjust your environment
Once you’ve got your routine sorted, take a look at your environment and see what you can change to make your bedroom even more calm and inviting. You may even want to allow 5-10 minutes to de-clutter your space every night before your start to wind down. We like to put away clothes, clear our desk and even lay out an outfit ready for the next day. Pack away any clutter on your bedside table too, as this is a good way to keep your mind clear and free from distractions.
Consider investing in a comfortable mattress. Did you know that you’re advised to get a new one every 8-10 years? If you have a bad back or a partner who snores you may find that a dual-sided mattress could change your sleep quality dramatically. It means you no longer have to settle for a firm mattress when you prefer a softer one – or vice versa – as each side is customised to the firmness you desire. We love Tweak Mattresses for this reason, as well at the fact that they offer a 100 day trial a free returns if you decide it’s not for you.
Complete your cosy little haven with some luxurious sheets to ensure a welcoming bed and restful night’s sleep. You may think a high thread count is a sign of quality sheets but the type of cotton is often more significant. Egyptian cotton is the best but Pima cotton is also soft, long-lasting and more affordable. We love the Luxury Hotel Collection range which is available at House of Fraser.
