With everything going on in the world right now, a good night’s sleep can be hard to come by. If your mind starts whirring as soon as your head hits the pillow, if you’re staying up too late or finding it hard to get up in the morning, you might benefit from a sleep overhaul. And what better time to do it than National Bed Month?
When it comes to health concerns, sleep is often overlooked as a cause. But without proper time to rest and recuperate, your body can struggle to function which can lead all sorts of problems. A healthy sleep schedule is the foundation to a healthy life – it all starts in the bedroom. National Bed Month is a campaign run by The Sleep Council to raise awareness of how important the right bed is to your sleep, along with tips for better quality sleep. Better sleep, more energy during the day AND the chance to make over our bedroom? We’re here for it!
Top tips for better sleep
First things first – National Bed Month is obviously all about The Bed, and we didn’t quite realise just how important the bed itself is to a good night’s sleep! Sure, you need a mattress that’s comfortable, pillows that support your neck and soft, breathable sheets to keep you well-rested through the night… but the bedframe you choose needs serious thought, too.
It makes sense, really – if your bed is too small, too short, super creaky or has an annoying frame that you bang your legs on every night, it’s bound to affect your sleep. If you’re suffering with a metal bed that squeaks every time you move, try a solid oak frame instead.
If you like to be propped up in bed but find your headboard uncomfortable, this padded velvet version is lovely and luxurious.
And for ultimate comfort, we love this super deep divan with memory foam mattress.
If you like to be propped up in bed but find your headboard uncomfortable, this padded velvet version is lovely and luxurious.
And for ultimate comfort, we love this super deep divan with memory foam mattress.
With your bedframe sorted, turn your attention to your bedding. Still wrapping yourself up in old, bobbled sheets? Sweating under some cheap polyester, or struggling with allergies because of manmade fibres? You need some linen in your life. We’re huge advocates of linen bedding – it’s light and cool in summer but warm in winter, it washes well, never needs ironing and is totally breathable, so great if you get hot when you sleep.
A linen pillowcase over an allergy-friendly pillow can really help with stuffy noses and streaming eyes. A linen fitted sheet will stay super soft even after many washes . And a linen duvet cover will help regulate your body temperature through the night.
Other things you can do to help sleep
With a calm, comfortable sleeping setup sorted, you can look at other areas that may be affecting your sleep.
- Stop clock-watching. If you’re still awake at 3am, you’re probably working out how many hours of rest you’d get if you fell asleep RIGHT NOW… yeah, don’t do that. Stressing about the amount of sleep you’ll get only keeps you awake longer, so stop checking the time and try to just chill out, even if sleep still evades you.
- Write your to-do list before bed. Often what keeps us awake is the long list of things we have to do the next day – by getting this out of your head and on paper, you can let go of those thoughts safe in the knowledge that you won’t forget anything the next day.
- Stick to a bedtime routine. We hear how important routine is for children’s sleep, but that’s just as true for adults. Try to stick to an established bedtime, then follow a wind-down routine – it will signal to your brain that it’s time to sleep.
- Eat sleep-promoting foods. In general, it’s better not to eat too close to bedtime and especially to avoid stimulants like alcohol and caffeine. Some foods do have sleep-promoting chemicals, though – chicken and turkey, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, peanuts, beans and milk could all help with that sleepy vibe.
Read more tips for curating a calming bedroom.
