We all want a better night’s sleep, right? I’m fortunate because I have yet to have children and I’m self-employed. What does that mean, you ask? Well, I can choose when I get up and when I go to bed. Essentially, I’m everything my younger self ever dreamed of being when 8pm-9pm was bedtime back in my family home.
However, one thing I’ve struggled with since going self-employed is getting a good night’s sleep and adapting to a working lifestyle where I start at a reasonable time and finish with my evenings available to me. That has, thus far, no been sustainable for more than a week or so. But I’m not alone, a lot of people have problems with their sleeping habits.
Did you know that between 10% and 30% of adults struggle with insomnia? While the average amount of sleep needed for a good night’s sleep is anywhere between 7-9 hours, most people are likely getting just under that. However, I’m hoping to change my own sleeping habits this year, especially if over the next few years, my life is going to change substantially with the appearance of little minions. Here are some helpful tips for improving your sleeping habits for 2023.
Choose the right mattress and bed
At its core, the bed and mattress are the most important influences that contribute towards the comfort of the space you sleep in. When we first bought our apartment, we decided to splurge on a bed and mattress with the savings we had. I think we spent just over £800 for the mattress which is certainly at the lower end of some of the luxury mattresses available.
The number one advice I’d give for anyone wanting to improve their sleeping habits is to choose the right mattress. Don’t skimp on something that you’re going to be sleeping on every day for the next eight years at least. If you break it down, we spent £800 for a mattress. That mattress will last us eight years at least, costing me and Sam £50 each a year. We’ve never had such a comfortable bed and so much so that we itch to get back to our bed once we’ve stayed away from home. Even hotel beds don’t match up to our bed!
Opt for pillows that suit your physical needs
Pillows are another important part of finding the right sleeping environment for you. We’ve just recently got ourselves some duck down pillows for £15 each in the January sale. We can’t stop raving about them so we’re going to buy some more later in the year as a lot of our pillows have yellowed over time. I blame Sam’s hair entirely. That’s another thing I’d recommend – pillows protectors and mattress protectors are lifesavers.
Find pillows that suit your physical needs whether you need more support and alignment with memory foam or you prefer the marshmallow comfort of a duck down pillow like we do.
Black out blinds or eye masks to block out any light
To help those who struggle to sleep when it’s too light in the room, black out blinds are our savour. We’re fortunate enough that there’s not a lot of light that comes into our bedroom during the evening. As a result, we get such a good night’s sleep as a result. I also have an eye mask because I struggle to fall asleep straight away regardless of if I’m in a pitch black room or not.
Some opt for ear plugs but I’ve tried this and it doesn’t work for me.
Listen to spa music as you wind down
Spa music is the bees knees. Myself and my best friend swear by spa music and I wouldn’t be surprised if we ended up running a spa clinic in our 50s. When it comes to spa music, it’s so relaxing and naturally you find yourself transported back to that time when you get a delicious back massage. Listening to spa music does that for me, it eases my mind and body, helping me relax and unwind ready for bed.
I suggest you try it, even if you don’t typically get yourself a massage. You may find it as satisfying as I do when relaxing in the evening.
Take a bath and get on your comfies
I LOVE a good lounge set and at Christmas, Sam treated me to a teddy bear set lounge wear from MissCosy and let me tell you, they are wonderfully cosy. If I’ve had a stressful day or week, I like to run myself a bath, throw in some Jo Malone Bath Oil – I know it’s extra but that stuff slaps and a bit of bubble bath too.
After my bath, changing into my comfies means I’m ready for bed. It’s helpful when your brain is wired and you need to condition your body into feeling sleepy. A bit of pampering is important too and more people need to give themselves a bit of relaxation every now and then.
Don’t use your phone before bed
I’m guilty of this habit and it’s something I’m desperate to eradicate this year. Going on your phone before you go bed is stopping you from sleeping. Blue light keeps your brain active and awake. Try avoiding your phone or any electronic device, an hour before you go bed. It’ll help you switch off and fall asleep faster – now I just need to take that advice myself.
